The ‘Modern’ World as a Point of Resonance

In the words of Harmut Rosa, the “cultural achievement of modernity is that it has nearly perfected human beings’ ability to establish a certain distance from the world while at the same time bringing it within our manipulative reach.” The way I interpreted this quote relates to recent advancements in both medicine and technology. I think the advancements we have made can be very beneficial for our daily lives and for communicating and building bonds with others. For example, stem cell therapy is a relatively new advancement and is known to treat leukemia and other blood disorders, which is amazing and very useful. I think it brings us closer to the world because people come together to discuss further stem cell advancements, or patients and doctors may bond over the very effective treatment of leukemia, for example. However, there are certain technological advances that I think bring us further apart from the world and each other. For example, phones may bring us closer to some people but take away time spent with others. So many people are busy looking at their phones and talking with other people rather than spending time with the people in front of them and experiencing things that are happening right in front of them. I think there is a balance between modernity and being more connected and close to the world and the people and things around us that will help us live a better, more good life.