Modern society has made incredible progress in science, technology, education, and communication. But it has also created a world filled with distractions, misinformation, and shallow thinking. So, the answer depends on how we define “smarter” and “ignorant.”
In my article: Why the World is Going Backwards in the Presence of Abundant Knowledge, I examined the consequence of focusing on the external world, while neglecting the mind which has brought about the development of the external world in the first place. In essence, real development is of the mind, something modern society seems to be ignorant of. Read more
Modern technology, which largely shaped and structured modern society is meant to make life easier. But neglecting the values and construct of which the foundation of the human civilization was built upon in the first place, is a recipe for disaster. The external world is not development in itself, rather, a means to an end, to guide and aid in developing the mind, which would in return develop the external world.
Mankind keeps forgetting that what we see in the external world, is only a projection of the mind. Which means civilization is always a generation away from declining. We have seen this play out over and over again throughout history. Today, we are witnessing the decline of modern society:
- The decline in family values.
- The concept of love has been degraded for illusions, in modern society, with individuals mistaking love for endless trills and fun, rather than sacrifice, commitment, and loyalty. Which explains why love runs out, when the excitement ends, because individuals are mistaking emotional stimulations for love.
- The concept of marriage is more like a business enterprise, and less about love.
- Identity crisis; men are becoming less masculine, while women are becoming less feminine.
- Modern society has made most individuals ignorant of the evil kept at bay by the sacrifices strong men make.
- Modern society has made most individuals ignorant of the importance of feminine women, as they are the foundation of the family.
- Modern society has made most individuals ignorant of the fact, that the family structure is the foundation of the society.
- Modern society has made most individuals ignorant of the fact that people are the society, people are civilization.
As a result of the decline in core values, and the concept of identity which has laid the foundations for civilization, individuals are now lost more than ever before. In our quest for enlightenment, we lost sight of the truth. In the presence of abundance we lack. We developed mega cities, with millions of people in it, yet individuals are more lonely than ever before in all of history. Depression is on the rise. Our political, economic and business ideologies are deeply rooted in materialism.
So i ask again, has modern society made humans smarter or more ignorant?
©️Victor E. Ojei, 2025.
VICTOR OJEI 
For me it is not a matter of smarter or more ignorant, because both sides can be argued equally. For me in my humble opinion it is about the disconnection from ourselves and each other. Take social media for example, tons of information, tons of “connection” yet people are saying they are more lonely than ever before. 🤷🏻♀️ I found your post full of great information wonderful write Victor🙌🏻🫶🏼🙏🏻
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Thank you. You are indeed right, it is disconnection from ourselves. With the scientific breakthrough of modern society, now more than ever, this should not be the case. In our quest for enlightenment, we lost sight of the Truth. I believe we are smarter now, more than ever before, at the same time, we are ignorant now more than ever before.
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Fully agree. We have lost sight of the truth, our purpose, and our connection. And I agree we are more ignorant yet also more advanced than ever before.
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Smarter? Yes, more advanced? I am not so sure. Take away modern technology and comfort, and what do we have? The external world is not development in itself, rather it is a means to an end, to guide and aid in developing the mind, which will in return develop the external world.
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Good point and your right. I think though that we have more self awareness, more knowledge in the realm of not being a sheep just following the crowd. A little rise in consciousness which gives me hope in humanity, but yes sadly you are right without comfort and modern technology alot of things and people would be destroyed and have a collapse.
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It is true that more individuals are becoming self aware, and for that i see hope. It is for that purpose i am able to speak here today, to create awareness. However, the biggest challenges remain. Most individuals never truly awaken, because right at the point of their awakening, they give in to illusions, and not truth.
Somehow I doubt if society will ever be ready for the truth. Just my thoughts though, i could be wrong. And one needs to understand, this is a pattern that repeats itself throughout history. The phase we are in presently is deciding; Illusion, or the truth? Which will it be?
The truth remains unchanging, and uncompromising. It does not bend to our emotions and personal biases.
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That’s true the truth doesn’t change. Your response ..the phase we are in presently is deciding , illusion or truth? Like red pill or blue pill in the movie Matrix😏🫶🏼
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I guess you can put it like that. Except, this is real life, and our choices carries real consequences. We are creating history here, you and I, all of us are in the middle of it.
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So very true. If enough people read your posts we would be able to change the world, you and I and all of us.🫶🏼
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💯❤️
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Dear Victor
A gentle breeze in the evening that changes our mood from bleak to pleasant in a moment.
That is the experience. Reading your posts, this, too, is the same.
I am quite happy to see you liked my post, Yes. 🙏😊💛💓💗❤️
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Absolutely agree! Well said!
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Thank you Warren
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You’re welcome!
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Dear Victor
It’s a marvelous experience to read your post, each day, a new experience, a new learning!
Thanks for liking my post ‘No’ 🙏❤️👌💓💗
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Was a thought provoking read !!!
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Thank you. It sure is😇
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This exactly what I thought about this morning – technology and the human being. Has what was meant for good become evil?
My loved son loved reading and educational radio and TV channels like National geographic, Nat Geo wild, but it is a very long time since I last saw him on the couch with a book or magazine. When I woke up this morning to bid him farewell before I leave for the village, he was still sleeping because he slept very late, because of time on the smartphone.
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Mmm, another angle. Though related, but a bit more complex. I heard it one time, of which is true: when you give a smartphone to your child, you are not giving your child access to the world, you’re giving the world access to your child. A smartphone can add greater value to your child, either positively or negatively. So the question is, what does he do with the smartphone.
In most African cultures, it takes the whole community to raise a child. Children are traditionally thought to respect anyone older than them, because there is always something to learn from them.
Where am I driving at with this? Even though the matter you raised in your comment is a bit complex, at its core, it still point to the decay in societal values.
I mean, we can restrict and control the kind of content that is allowed on the internet just like China does, but it wouldn’t help very much. You know why? Because the internet isn’t the problem, people are. If you need a law to compel you into doing the right thing, before you actually do it, maybe you’re not really a good person after all. I think I should write an article on this.
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