Three Simple Things That Got Complicated

We live in contradictory times where extremely complex things have become simple and simple things have become complicated. These days it’s relatively easy to connect different points on the planet in a matter of seconds, but receiving a greeting from your neighbor can be quite a feat.

To a large extent, consumerism is the factor that leads us to put artifices and embellishments on simple things, which should not imply any complexity. Just as modernity brings fantastic advances that we should make the most of, it is also possible to learn to value aspects of the past that can be useful today. These are three of those aspects.

1. Eating, one of the simple things that got complicated

Eating is not optional, as if we don’t, we will simply die. Until a few decades ago, food was part of the simple things in life that didn’t involve great mysteries. People ate what was available, trying to prioritize what had more nutrients or tasted better.

Today, food is one of the realities that have become complicated. In our time, practically all foods cause some harm and the subject of diet has become very complex for many. Lactose-free milk, decaffeinated coffee, sugar-free, salt-free, flour-free, gluten-free, meat-free, fat-free; not eat too much, but not too little either; not combine this with that…

Things could be much simpler in that regard. On the one hand, the criterion to follow is that no excess is good ; this has been well known since the time of the Stoics and has not changed. On the other hand, the less ultra-processed foods eaten, the better.

2. Dressing up, a blind support for consumption

Consumerism has taken us to absurd levels. Certainly many know that their grandparents and great-grandparents bought clothes very occasionally. The products were of such good quality that they were even inherited from older brother to younger or from father to son.

What people were looking for was clothing to keep them warm enough if it was cold, or to allow them to cool off if it was hot. The criteria for dressing on a daily basis were usefulness and comfort. Therefore, the clothes were durable, well made and made of suitable materials.

Dressing has always had something to do with aesthetics. However, our ancestors only emphasized this aspect on special days or moments. It was common for each person to have their own Sunday costume, to wear on days when there was no work or when they had some special celebration.

Today’s world has made this aspect very difficult, especially for some people who are extremely permeable or dependent on the opinions of others and therefore do a lot to please. Fashion is a way to make clothes obsolete and ensure greater consumption. The perfect example of one of the simple things that got complicated.

3. Fun has become complex

It’s disconcerting that fun also fits the list of simple things that got complicated, but it’s the truth. Hundreds of fun options have been created, but the main point is that they are not really fun, they just allow you to pass the time or be entertained once in a while.

What exists today is a gigantic industry that promotes figures in the entertainment world. Obviously, there are very talented characters, but there are also many singers who don’t sing, actors who don’t act, writers who don’t know how to write, etc. Basically, this sphere is a continuation of the modeling world.

Celebrities are made, often by force, and earn huge amounts of money for their presentations or views. Many people today are spectators of the fun, but they are not really active participants in it. We forget that a good conversation, a simple game, a group dance or a good reading is a lot of fun.

The word “amusement” comes from the Latin root divertere , which means “to turn in the opposite direction, to recreate”. That’s not exactly what happens in much of today’s fun, quite the opposite, as we’re immersed in an eternal reiteration of trends.

Food, clothing and entertainment could once again be simpler and more accessible. Perhaps doing this is part of the path to regaining well-being.