Modern Minds Meet Ancient Instincts: Redesigning Life for Wellbeing

A conceptual review by researchers from the Singapore University of Technology and Design and James Cook University Singapore argues that modern life—dense cities, digital platforms, and constant social comparison—activates evolved human instincts in ways that increase stress and loneliness. The paper suggests that addressing these psychosocial issues requires designing environments (cities, workplaces, online spaces) that align with our biology rather than solely boosting individual resilience, while noting the ideas need real-world testing.