美媒：西方社会正面临五大可怕的“新巨人”

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the emergence of new societal challenges, termed "new giants," that threaten modern progress, including social isolation, addiction to food and drugs, information fragmentation, fake news, and bureaucratic red tape, contrasting them with the historical "five giants" identified by economist William Beveridge after World War II [1][2]. Group 1: Social Isolation - Over 25% of Americans identify as "loners," with a significant increase in the number of individuals aged 40 who have never married, rising from 6% in 1970 to 25% today [2]. - Loneliness poses health risks comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day and negatively impacts overall fertility rates in society [2]. Group 2: Addiction Issues - The prevalence of addiction to food and drugs is escalating, with food companies strategically designing products to be addictive through optimal combinations of sugar, salt, and fat [2]. - Over 40% of Americans are classified as obese, exacerbated by digital companies' algorithms that promote high-sugar and high-salt foods [2]. Group 3: Information Fragmentation and Fake News - The internet has become a distraction machine, making it difficult for individuals, especially the youth, to focus or complete complex tasks, with signs of a reversal in the "Flynn effect" observed since the early 2000s [3]. - The rapid spread of fake news, fueled by technological advancements and lax verification by major internet companies, undermines societal foundations and is exploited by politicians to manipulate public sentiment [3]. Group 4: Bureaucratic Red Tape - Bureaucratic complexities hinder progress across various sectors, with scientists facing lengthy approval processes for research funding and construction companies spending more time on regulations than actual building [3]. - The increasing complexity of processes contributes to social inequality and obstructs advancement [3]. Group 5: Recommendations for Addressing New Giants - Governments are urged to combat these new giants across multiple sectors, including re-evaluating the role of the agricultural sector in promoting addictive foods and enhancing education to help children recognize information manipulation [4]. - Promoting social activities and reading can help mitigate loneliness and information fragmentation, with only 30% of UK youth expressing a preference for reading in their leisure time, a decline of 36% since 2005 [5]. - Governments should prioritize reducing bureaucratic procedures and encourage private enterprises to adopt simpler regulations, making the elimination of red tape a long-term goal [5]. - Digital companies are called upon to acknowledge their role in societal issues and focus on positive contributions rather than negative impacts [5].