Reclaiming Life's True Essence

In today's world, we face an obvious dilemma: is it worth sacrificing conveniences that at first seem to be an integral part of our well-being in order to preserve what is truly priceless? Today's drive for innovation brings not only progress but also destructive consequences—from air pollution to a decline in food quality and a growing disconnection from the true values of life. Our technological achievements could ultimately lead to the demise of the environment and even ourselves if we fail to rethink our lifestyle and abandon the familiar comforts that are gradually becoming a threat.

On the other hand, the true riches of the human soul do not reside in technological inventions but in a deep connection with nature and in the spiritual traditions that for centuries have set the tone for genuine life harmony. By renouncing imposed excesses, we have the chance to restore lost values, reconnect with the world around us, and allow the true quality of life to flourish. Such a choice can not only ensure the planet’s long-term survival but also restore our ability to experience joy in the simple, untainted moments of existence.

Ultimately, if we are given the opportunity to preserve something truly important for life and our future, a rational move would be to reject methods that lead to environmental and spiritual catastrophes. This is a chance to choose a path where technology serves humanity rather than becomes the cause of its destruction, where the purity of nature and genuine human values come first.

Which benefits of modern civilization would you be willing to forgo if it helped preserve something truly important?

From my point of view, preserving what is truly important might mean giving up the excesses and conveniences that, despite their apparent allure, cause tangible harm to our existence and the environment. For instance, when we consider that modern technological progress has already resulted in issues such as air pollution and declining food quality, it becomes clear that being willing to relinquish these conveniences—the comforts provided by industrialization—might be justified in order to protect that which cannot be materialized and must remain pure.

As noted in one statement: "Humanity is destroying itself through technological progress. And when the end of the world comes to Earth, it will happen because of technological progress: either we will die from radiation; or we will suffocate due to a lack of clean air; or ultraviolet rays penetrating through ozone holes will kill us, annihilating all life; or we will die from the diseases we have created ourselves; or we will perish because of an accumulation of weapons capable of blowing up the entire Earth twenty times over. Man is destroying himself. Instead of living among forests, fields, and birds, he breathes in all manner of smoke and consumes the most dreadful things." (source: link )

This emphasizes that all the conveniences we have become accustomed to have turned into serious dangers for our health and for the future of our planet. If the possibility exists to preserve something important—be it an ecosystem, the preservation of the human spirit, or life in its original form—then perhaps it is worth giving up the aspects of civilization that are prone to self-destruction.

Another perspective is that the true values of life do not lie in cultural or technological achievements, but rather emanate from the depths of the human soul and our connection with the world—values that do not depend on the excesses of civilization. As it is said: "Are we willing to renounce what was given to us by St. Anthony the Great and St. Francis of Assisi? Will we dare to persuade them to remain in the world? For God is incomparably above culture—does He not exist beyond its confines? And does 'culture' ultimately possess any value intrinsic to itself?" (source: link )

Thus, the answer might be this: if the opportunity to preserve something truly valuable and vital were to become a reality, I would be ready to give up those benefits of modern civilization that have led to environmental, physical, and spiritual ailments. This means rejecting rampant technological progress and the comforts that result in polluted air, subpar food, and alienation from nature—in exchange for genuine quality of life and a chance for long-term coexistence in harmony with our environment.