A 35-year-old man’s candid take on why more people seem to be struggling with their mental health than ever before has struck a chord with viewers online.
John Edwards, an artist based in the U.K., took to TikTok on October 13 to address what he thinks is behind the existential crisis many are grappling with. He told viewers that the sense of disconnection some feel today could be attributed to humanity’s shift away from small, closely-knit communities to sprawling urban environments and monotonous work lives.
The video, shared on October 13 under the handle @jredwardsart, has been viewed more than 3.7 million times. Edwards’ 9-minute reflection on why contemporary life feels inherently wrong has prompted introspection and discussion about the nature of modern living in the comments.
“Our modern environment alienates individuals by neglecting our fundamental needs for strong community, connection to nature, and meaningful work,” Edwards told Newsweek.
The artist advocates …