THE FUTURE OF LIFE IN america: 2020 REPORT
A new study by Intensions Consulting, a market research firm, and futurist Nikolas Badminton has examined the Future of Life in America. The study, which surveyed 2,025 United States residents, set out to explore the changing nature of self and society across the United States.
A FRAGILE FUTURE
The study found that younger Americans were reporting significantly higher rates of life stress. Among those aged 16 to 29, almost half (48 per cent) reported experiencing financial stress most or every day, 43 per cent reported experiencing family stress most or every day, and 35 per cent reported experiencing work stress most or every day.
Intensions Consulting: Younger Americans report significantly higher rates of financial, family, and work stress.
Younger Americans were also more likely to report significantly higher rates of loneliness and insecurity, with 47 per cent often feeling isolated from other people, 47 per cent often feeling left out by other people, 50 per cent often worried that other people were judging them, and 40 per cent often worried that other people might hurt them.
“These findings show a real disparity between the sense of safety and connection reported by older Americans, and the sense of insecurity and loneliness reported by younger Americans. It appears that many young Americans are experiencing a deep sense of disconnection,” said study lead author Nick Black, Managing Partner at Intensions Consulting.
Intensions Consulting: Younger Americans report significantly higher rates of loneliness and insecurity.
The study also found that younger Americans were more likely to have experienced mental health problems. Among those aged 16 to 29, 31 per cent had been diagnosed or treated for anxiety in the past year, 29 per cent had been diagnosed or treated for depression in the past year, and 30 per cent self-identified as narcissists (e.g. egotistical, self-focused, vain).
According to Nikolas Badminton, study co-author and futurist, “Young adults born in the ‘Internet Age’ were promised an exciting and connected future. Instead we’ve seen reduced privacy, greater exposure to disinformation, and more fragile mental health. There needs to be a shift towards re-connecting with the friends, families and communities that support mental resiliency.”
THE AGE OF DIGITAL OBESITY
Looking for factors that could help explain these findings, the researchers delved into the daily digital behaviour of Americans. While the average American reported spending a total of 301 minutes (5 hours) a day on social media, apps, and online platforms, those aged 16 to 29 reported spending 514 minutes (8.5 hours) a day.
Intensions Consulting: The average American reports spending 301 minutes a day online.
This was concerning, as the study found that spending more than 240 minutes (4 hours) a day on social media, apps, and online platforms, was associated with significantly higher rates of depression, anxiety, and self-identified narcissism.
“To use a diet analogy, our data suggests that Americans might want to restrict their level of daily digital consumption,” says Black. “For younger Americans, whose daily digital consumption is bordering on digital obesity, a pretty substantial restriction may be required.”
Intensions Consulting: Americans who spend more than 240 minutes a day online have significantly higher rates of depression, anxiety, and self-identified narcissism.
However, getting younger Americans to restrict their daily digital consumption could prove challenging. Among those aged 16 to 29, 54 per cent said they would find it difficult to not use a cell phone for 24 hours, and 44 per cent said they would find it difficult to not use any social media for 24 hours.
“Parasitic social apps have created a craving for ‘likes’, ‘loves’, ‘shares’ and comments,” says Badminton. “Humanity is now at a turning-point where we must see this algorithmically-guided behaviour as being harmful to society. In fact, we need to demand that the technology companies put functionality in place to encourage moderate-to-low usage.”
Sex and Social Distancing
On the topic of sex and relationships, the study found that younger Americans were more likely to embrace virtual and online forms of intimacy. Among those aged 16 to 29, over a quarter (29 per cent) said they would like to have virtual (VR) sex in the future, and 22 per cent said they would like to be in a relationship that is entirely online in the future.
According to Black, “many young Americans have expressed interest in alternative forms of intimacy, such as virtual sex or entirely online relationships, that do not require any physical contact with a partner. As such, this period of social distancing could provide the perfect setting for them to explore their digital desires.”
Intensions Consulting: Y ounger Americans were more likely to embrace virtual and online forms of intimacy.
The study also found that American men were more likely to express interest in virtual and online forms of intimacy. Among American males, a quarter (25 per cent) said they would like to have virtual (VR) sex in the future (compared to only 10 per cent of American females), and 20 per cent said they would like to be in a relationship that’s entirely online in the future (compared to only 7 per cent of American females).
“There is an ongoing redefinition of intimacy through the use of social networks, dating apps, online chat and texting as primary modes of communication early in relationships. Distance is becoming standard with in-person attraction coming second to the online clout of potential partners. We can look to Japan as a bellwethers of the effects - reduced real relationships, falling birthrates and aging populations," said Badminton.
A CLIMATE OF CHANGE
On the topic of climate change, the study found that the majority of Americans (66 per cent) believe that climate change is a real problem for the world today, and 63 per cent agree that climate change is caused by human activity. This level of agreement was consistent across gender, age, and region, however significant differences were found according to political views, with over 80 per cent agreement among liberals, and just under 50 per cent agreement among conservatives.
“While political ideology continues to have a major impact on how Americans view this topic, our study suggests that conservative opinion may be reaching a tipping point on climate change,” says Black.
Intensions Consulting: The majority of Americans believe that climate change is a real problem for the world today.
The study also found that the majority of Americans agreed on what’s contributing to climate change, with 63 per cent of Americans believing that fossil fuel vehicles (e.g. gasoline, diesel) contribute to climate change, 56 per cent agreeing that non-renewable energy (e.g. coal, natural gas) contributes to climate change, and 54 per cent agreeing that air travel contributes to climate change.
According Badminton, “Climate change is making the non-renewable ‘energy’ industry untenable as a foundation for a sustainable future. We have to shift to an electrified world with power provided by renewables and distributed via global super-grids. And, we need to insist that the companies that got us into this situation use the capital they have amassed to help us move to a new sustainable and renewable energy world.”
CHARTING NEW HIGHS
On the topic of drug legalization, the study found that the majority of Americans (71 per cent) believe that marijuana should be legal for medical use. While significant differences were found according to political views, the researchers were surprised to find that most liberals (83 per cent) and conservatives (61 per cent) remained in agreement about the need to legalize medical marijuana.
“While the legalization of marijuana for recreational use remains politically polarized, there appears to be agreement among the majority of Americans, both liberal and conservative, on the legalization of marijuana for medical use,” says Black.
Intensions Consulting: The majority of Americans believe that marijuana should be legal for medical use.
In what may become an emerging frontier for drug legalization, the study also found that almost a third of Americans (32 per cent) believe that psychedelic mushrooms (psilocybin) should be legal for medical use. This belief was higher among younger Americans, with 39 percent of those aged 16 to 29 supporting legalization, and 40 per cent of those aged 30 to 44.
“We’re now seeing an increased amount of research exploring the use of marijuana and psychedelic mushrooms for mental and physical health benefits,” says Badminton. “This has the potential to revolutionize the pharmaceutical industry and realize a future where many health issues can be actively managed using plant medicines.”
ABOUT THE FUTURE OF LIFE STUDY
These are findings from an Intensions Consulting study conducted between January 20, 2020, and January 28, 2020. For this study a 20-minute online survey was administered with a sample of 2,025 United States residents aged 16 years and older. The sample was stratified by gender, age, and region, to ensure that the sample’s composition reflected the underlying distribution of the population as determined by Census data. A traditional probability sample of comparable size would have produced results considered accurate to within plus or minus 2.2 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
For more information on this study, please contact: info@intensions.co
ABOUT INTENSIONS CONSULTING
Intensions Consulting Inc., is a market research company headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. We use statistics and psychology to find hidden insights and market opportunities for clients across North-America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region. Our research findings have been published in numerous peer-reviewed journals, and have been quoted by news organizations including the BBC, CBC, Daily Mail, and Toronto Star.
web: https://www.intensions.co
ABOUT NIKOLAS BADMINTON
Nikolas Badminton is a world-renowned futurist, speaker, and media celebrity. He leads the team Exponential Minds, an expert advisory firm that helps trillion-dollar companies, progressive governments and media shift their mindset from “what is” to “WHAT IF...” The result is empowered employees, new innovative products and incredible growth that leads to more revenues and a more resilient future.