Let’s get one thing straight: the seven deadly sins—pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath, and sloth—haven’t vanished; they’ve just updated their profiles. In our hyper-connected world, these age-old vices have found new avenues to thrive. Let’s explore how each sin manifests today, particularly through social media behaviors and consumer culture.
1. Pride: The Selfie Syndrome
Pride, traditionally seen as excessive self-love, has found fertile ground in the era of social media. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok often encourage users to curate idealized versions of themselves, leading to a culture of comparison and validation-seeking.
Modern Manifestations:
- Influencer Culture: The rise of influencers has blurred the lines between genuine self-expression and performative pride.
- “Humblebragging”: Subtly boasting under the guise of humility is a common social media trope.
Example: Consider the phenomenon of “LinkedIn envy,” where individuals feel inadequate seeing peers announce new jobs or career milestones on LinkedIn, especially during challenging times of unemployment.
2. Greed: The Subscription Spiral
Greed, or the insatiable desire for more, is amplified in today’s consumer-driven society. The constant bombardment of advertisements and the allure of instant gratification have made overconsumption the norm.
Modern Manifestations:
- Flash Sales & Limited Editions: Creating a sense of urgency to buy more.
- Subscription Overload: From streaming services to monthly boxes, there’s always something new to subscribe to.
Example: The Netflix documentary “Buy Now! The Shopping Conspiracy” explores the detrimental effects of modern consumerism, highlighting practices like planned obsolescence, where products are designed to be disposable and frequently replaced.
3. Lust: Swipe Right Culture
Lust has gone digital. It’s no longer just about desire; it’s about instant gratification at the tap of a screen.
Modern Manifestations:
- Dating Apps: Endless swiping, seeking the next best thing.
- Social Media Stalking: Falling for someone based on their curated online persona.
Example: Technology has significantly influenced our sex lives by creating the most connected era in history. The way we find partners, flirt, date, and maintain intimacy has evolved with digital tools.
4. Envy: The Comparison Trap
Envy thrives in the age of social media, where curated glimpses into others’ lives can foster feelings of inadequacy. The constant comparison can lead to a distorted sense of reality and self-worth.
Modern Manifestations:
- “FOMO” (Fear of Missing Out): Anxiety stemming from the belief that others are having more rewarding experiences.
- Lifestyle Envy: Coveting the seemingly perfect lives portrayed online.
Example: A study published in the Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media found that idealized portrayals of motherhood on social media, often propagated by “momfluencers,” can increase anxiety and envy among new mothers.
5. Gluttony: Binge Culture
Gluttony isn’t just about food anymore. It’s about overindulgence in all forms.
Modern Manifestations:
- Streaming Marathons: Watching an entire season in one sitting.
- Online Shopping Sprees: Buying things you don’t need because of a sale.
Example: The “Mukbang” trend, where individuals consume large quantities of food on camera, has significant health risks. Trisha Paytas, a former Mukbanger, shared her experience of consuming over 10,000 calories daily to earn up to $50,000 per video, despite severe health issues and depression.
6. Wrath: Keyboard Warriors
Wrath has found a new home on the internet, where anonymity can embolden individuals to express anger without restraint.
Modern Manifestations:
- Online Rants: Posting angry diatribes over minor inconveniences.
- Cancel Culture: Calling for boycotts over differing opinions.
Example: Today’s outrage culture, characterized by intensified online vocalization and anonymity, has evolved from historical contexts like the Salem witch trials. Social media platforms are the arenas for public debate, often leading to what is now commonly known as modern outrage culture.
7. Sloth: The Procrastination Plague
Sloth isn’t just laziness; it’s the art of doing everything except what you’re supposed to.
Modern Manifestations:
- Endless Scrolling: Losing hours to cat videos instead of working.
- Productivity Apps: Spending more time organizing tasks than completing them.
Example: Resolving to not check e-mail for an hour, for example, can make you more likely to sneak into the kitchen for a bag of chips. The idea that managing our internal state—herding our thoughts and feelings so they align with our highest goals—often demands self-control, and this effort can leave us with less cognitive firepower for the tasks at hand.
Embracing the Human Experience
The seven deadly sins have evolved, finding new expressions in our digital age. But recognizing them isn’t about self-condemnation; it’s about understanding our behaviors and striving for balance.
Your story, with all its imperfections and indulgences, is what makes you relatable and real. Embrace it, learn from it, and maybe, just maybe, post that unfiltered photo of your morning matcha.
