Page 53 - The Five Forces of Everything

OBSERVATIONS

‘Eco-anxiety’ is a new term described by Psychology
In 2017, the American Psychiatric
Association found that among 1,000 Today as “a fairly recent psychological disorder
U.S. residents, nearly two thirds
were extremely or somewhat afflicting an increasing number of individuals who
anxious about health and safety
for themselves and their families worry about our environmental crisis”.
– with more than a third claiming
to feel more anxious compared Meanwhile, The Guardian newspaper recently described the forces driving
with the year before. Millennials us towards plant milk as “a manifestation of collective anxiety that
emerged as the most anxious something is wrong with our bodies. That we aren’t as healthy and happy
generation. as we could be – or perhaps, should be – and something, or someone, must
be to blame.”
In 2019, the Gallup Global
Emotions Report observed humanity becoming more Such uncertainty, continuously fed by political and societal discourse,
anxious and more angry. In terms of positivity, the U.S. climate change, personal security and health concerns, is weighing down
was ranked 39th and the U.K. 46th. Latin American countries on people’s shoulders. Some say we’re entering a global sleep crisis.
reported most positivity, reflecting a cultural tendency to focus on the
bright side. Of course, reported feelings of anxiety do not equate to a medical

diagnosis, but these observations do reflect a population that feels much
It’s no wonder then that there are less certain about the future.
now over 70 million prescriptions
for antidepressants in England –
double the number from 2008.

What’s going on?

It seems that our unprecedented
access to information is creating a
dilemma. The more we know, the
more worried we become. Whether
it’s a self-diagnosis by Dr Google or
powerful new evidence on
the plight of Mother Earth.

As the saying goes, ignorance
can be bliss.

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FORCE #4 OBSERVATIONS | IMPLICATIONS | ILLUSTRATIONS