2 days ago
- Deviance is declining across society, including in crime, substance use, teen pregnancy, and cult membership.
- Youth are less likely to drink, smoke, have sex, or engage in risky behaviors compared to previous generations.
- Adults are also behaving more conventionally, with crime rates and anti-social behavior falling sharply.
- Positive and neutral forms of deviance are decreasing, such as geographic mobility, creative output, and architectural diversity.
- Culture and media have become homogenized, with fewer original works and more sequels, repetitive music, and uniform designs.
- Scientific progress is slowing, with fewer paradigm-shifting discoveries and increasingly standardized writing.
- The decline began before the internet era and is driven by increased life expectancy, wealth, and safety, leading to risk aversion.
- While the trend brings benefits like longer, safer lives, it also risks stifling innovation and exciting cultural expression.