Επιμέλεια: Εύα Πετροπούλου Λιανού
The 21st century has ushered in an era defined by unprecedented change, convenience, and connectivity. Technology has transformed our lives in ways previous generations could scarcely imagine. Phones are now wireless, cars have gone keyless, and even our stoves can be fireless. These modern miracles are celebrated as progress, yet beneath the surface of convenience, we often find a profound emptiness.
The Paradoxes of Progress
As technology removes the barriers of distance and time, it brings with it a unique set of paradoxes. We hold the world in our hands with smartphones, yet our attachment to these devices often leaves us more disconnected from the world around us. Though our technology has freed us from the confines of physical wires, it has tethered us to a different kind of dependence—an emotional and psychological one.
We live in a time where food is butter-less as we strive for healthier lifestyles, but our connection to food’s authenticity and origin feels increasingly distant. In an age where we cherish efficiency, dresses have gone sleeveless in the name of fashion, yet the pressures of image often leave people feeling vulnerable. People are genderless as we expand our understanding of identity and inclusivity, yet this very inclusivity can lead to misunderstandings and confusion. The 21st century allows us to break free of labels, yet it sometimes leaves us searching for new ways to define ourselves.
A World of Disconnection
But the paradoxes extend far beyond the conveniences we enjoy. Despite technological advancements, youths are jobless, struggling to find secure and meaningful employment in an economy that increasingly favors automation and outsourcing. Educational attainment does not guarantee stability, and degrees feel worthless in a job market that demands experience many cannot gain. The promise of endless opportunity is there, but the reality often does not match up.
Moreover, our leaders seem increasingly shameless, with ethics and integrity too often sacrificed on the altar of ambition. Leaders who should be our role models sometimes represent the very flaws we wish to eradicate. This lack of ethical guidance breeds cynicism, especially among the younger generations, who find themselves questioning the values their leaders stand for. As a result, relationships become meaningless in a world where connections are often superficial, more about appearances than genuine bonds.
The Changing Fabric of Family
Family, the most foundational unit of society, has also seen shifts that leave it unrecognizable to past generations. Babies are fatherless as family structures evolve, and children are manner-less as societal norms become blurred. In the struggle to create progressive family dynamics, we sometimes overlook the values that once held us together. Parental absence, whether due to economic pressures or evolving social expectations, leaves children without the role models they need. There is an unspoken loss here—something intangible but deeply felt as society reshapes itself.
What’s more, nights are becoming sleepless, consumed by screens, notifications, and the pressures of our fast-paced lives. Our constant connectivity has taken a toll on our mental and physical health. Sleep, a fundamental necessity, is sacrificed as we try to stay updated, meet deadlines, and keep up with the relentless pace of modern life. This sleeplessness is not just physical; it’s spiritual and emotional as well. The mind is always racing, and true rest becomes a luxury.
Emotions in the Age of Artificiality
In this world of disconnection, feelings become heartless, perhaps not because we lack compassion, but because modern life seems to demand that we steel ourselves to survive. Our lives move at the speed of light, leaving little room for introspection. The more connected we are digitally, the more disconnected we become emotionally. Empathy is replaced by instant reactions, and understanding is often sacrificed for the sake of convenience.
Attitudes have become careless as well, fueled by the relentless pursuit of likes, shares, and validation on social media. What once required thought and consideration is now shared impulsively, sometimes with damaging consequences. The quest for personal identity and expression, while crucial, has sometimes led us down paths where dignity and respect are forgotten. Each person’s worth seems measured by their digital presence rather than by their integrity or contributions to society.
The Search for Meaning
In this environment of “less” and “more,” we’re left searching for what is real, meaningful, and lasting. We’ve stripped down the essence of life, leaving many with an unshakable feeling of emptiness. Yet, paradoxically, one thing remains undiminished—our hope. Despite the challenges we face, we continue to strive, innovate, and believe in a better tomorrow.
We live in a world where hopes are endless. This hope drives us to look past the superficial, to connect meaningfully with others, and to work toward a world where “less” becomes “more” in the ways that truly matter. A life where kindness, connection, and compassion are celebrated over convenience, speed, or efficiency.
Building a Future of Substance
So how do we take these hopes and turn them into something tangible? It begins by reclaiming the values that have been overshadowed by our obsession with progress. Perhaps we need to slow down, to look inward, and to reconnect with what truly matters. By valuing people over products, authenticity over appearances, and depth over digitality, we can build a future that is rooted in substance rather than shallow surfaces.
Each of us has a role to play in reversing the “less” of this century. We can start by fostering relationships that go beyond the screen, by nurturing family bonds, and by mentoring the next generation to prioritize integrity over influence. We can build workplaces that value human skills, empathy, and creativity rather than relying solely on automation and impersonal metrics. We can support leaders who are guided by principles and work toward community-driven solutions that benefit all.
Conclusion: The Call for Conscious Change
As we navigate this complex, interconnected world, the call to action is clear: we must be conscious architects of our own century. The 21st century has the potential to be one of fulfillment, growth, and unity, but it requires us to recognize our paradoxes and choose a path that reaffirms our shared humanity.
In a world that feels increasingly less, it is up to us to ensure that our hopes remain endless. Let’s build a future where compassion outweighs convenience, where relationships have depth, and where values are not eroded by the march of progress. And perhaps, in sharing this message, we may inspire each other to pursue a world where “less” becomes the soil from which “more” can grow.
After all, if we don’t share these thoughts, if we don’t open ourselves to self-reflection and change, then all our hopes and words risk becoming worthless. So let this be our challenge—to make meaning out of the paradoxes, to find purpose within progress, and to create a 21st century defined not by what we lack, but by what we endlessly strive to become.
Author Haroon Rashid
The Century of Less by Author Haroon Rashid
Welcome to our century, a world of ease,
Where phones are wireless, and life’s on breeze,
Cars go keyless, and stoves need no fire,
Yet hearts seem empty, lacking in desire.
Our food is butter-less, our sleeves are bare,
We chase what’s new, yet lose what’s rare,
Youth left jobless, dreams out of sight,
In search of meaning, through endless night.
Leaders grow shameless, values decay,
Promises vanish like clouds of gray,
Babies grow fatherless, roots feel thin,
Where did we lose the strength within?
Nights are sleepless, minds never rest,
Chasing illusions, failing the test,
Feelings grow heartless, cold to the core,
Craving for more, yet finding no shore.
But beneath it all, hope’s light survives,
Endless and bright, it quietly thrives,
A call to awaken, a world to rebuild,
Where “less” gives way to dreams fulfilled.
Let us not fall to a world of hollow,
Let kindness lead, and truth we follow,
For all the “less” this age may bring,
Our hope, forever, is an endless spring.
Author Haroon Rashid
Biography
Author Haroon Rashid is a world-famous author known for book We Fell Asleep in One World and Woke Up in Another, translated by Nobel Peace Prize Laureate 2024 Eva Petropoulou Lianou, and Author Haroon Rashid Quotes. He is also the National Vice Chairman of Youth India at the Mother Teresa International Foundation.
For his literary works, he has received numerous accolades, including Awards and Recognitions:
Friedrich von Schiller 2024 Award – Honored for high moral and aesthetic quality in literary work.
Fourth World Gogyoshi Annual Highest Vote Award (2024).
United Nations Karmaveer Chakra Award 2024 from iCONGO.
REX Karmaveer Chakra Silver Medal – Second award for contributions to society.
Prodigy Magazine USA Award – For extraordinary literary achievements.
Honor from Greece – Celebrated on the International Day of Greek Language.
International Literary Translation and Publication – We Fell Asleep in One World and Woke Up in Another.
Representation at “Designing Mexico and The World” – 11th Edition.
The Golden Eagle World Award 2023.
Honorary Founding Member – World CP Cavafy (29 April).
Prize in THE BEST 3 of the 4th World Gogyoshi Anthology for the theme of Nature.
United Nations Karmaveer Chakra Award 2023 from iCONGO.
Global Peace Award 2022 at the Mother Teresa International Foundation.
Honorary Degree, Doctorate of Humanity from La Haye (Academy of Applied Sciences Supervisory Board), France 2021.
Golden Eagle Award for Literary Excellence from South America 2021
1st Prize Exhibition Award 2023 at the 1st Silk Road International Poetry Spring Festival.
Certificate of Appreciation from Greece on the occasion of the International Day of Greek Language.
Representation of India at the Paper Fiber Fest 2023, conducted by China, Greece, Mexico, and Peru, promoting “More Poetry, Less War.”
Sir Richard Francis Burton Award for distinguished personalities, awarded in recognition of contributions to culture during the European Day of Languages, signed by leaders from five continents.
Cesar Vallejo Award 2022 from the United Nations Global Marketplace for his continuous contributions to culture and literature.
Honorary Award for Excellence in Literature and Arts on the occasion of Trinidad and Tobago’s 59th Independence Day.
Balkanska Pjesnicka Unija Poetically Godine 2021 from Serbia.
Ambassador for SDG4 (Quality Education) and SDG13 at the World Literary Forum for Peace and Human Rights, promoting global peace and combating climate change.
Invited as a Peace Protagonist on International Peace Day in Mexico and Greece.
Speaker at the 3rd International Congress of Education, Designing the Future, held in Mexico, North America.
Haroon has gained worldwide recognition, love, and fame, appearing on famous interview shows including The Oprah Winfrey Show and being featured in O, The Oprah Magazine.
Every writer is unique, but Haroon has touched souls with even the simplest expressions of words. His writings resonate globally, making him a renowned writer par excellence. His works have been translated into many languages, including Spanish, French, German, Arabic, African, Indonesian, Chinese, Hindi, Urdu, Persian, Kannada, Tamil, Sanskrit, Mexican, and Bolivian.
His writings have been shared by countless celebrities across social media platforms and fundraising events, showcasing his unusual success story. Many individuals from diverse fields, including Hollywood and Bollywood stars, artists, musicians, athletes, and politicians, have connected with him.
Among his world-famous writings are Time and Its Perspectives, Suicide Poem, Come Back from the Heaven, Skin, Will Meet Again, We Fell Asleep in One World (also known as The Earth Poem), Human Trafficking, Humanity Poem, Faith, Mother, Spiritual Love, The World, Human in Uniform, Get Up, and Meet a Person, along with a collection of endless quotes. His art reflects his heart, and now that heart resonates within all of us.
Author Haroon Rashid hails from the beautiful Jammu and Kashmir, India—often referred to as “Heaven on Earth.” Through his works, he emphasizes the importance of sustainability and reminds us that:
“It’s our responsibility to create a better world for our future generations.”
— Author Haroon Rashid
