100 Ways in Which Tribals Have a Better Life

Below is a list of 100 problems that are typically absent or significantly less prevalent in isolated tribal communities, particularly when compared to modern urban or industrialized societies. These communities—often living in remote regions with minimal contact with the outside world—maintain traditional lifestyles that shield them from many contemporary issues.

The list considers their self-sufficient, nature-based existence, communal social structures, and limited exposure to technology or globalization. While some assumptions are generalized (as tribal lifestyles vary globally, including in India), the focus is on common patterns observed in anthropological studies up to March 21, 2025. In the Indian context, this could apply to tribes like the Sentinelese, Jarawa, or certain Himalayan groups.

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100 Problems Absent in Isolated Tribal Communities

1. Obesity from processed foods

2. Type 2 diabetes from sedentary lifestyles

3. Hypertension from chronic stress

4. Heart disease from poor diet

5. Traffic accidents

6. Air pollution-related respiratory issues

7. Noise pollution

8. Internet addiction

9. Social media anxiety

10. Cyberbullying

11. Identity theft

12. Credit card debt

13. Mortgage stress

14. Unemployment from industrial layoffs

15. Corporate burnout

16. Student loan debt

17. Exam pressure in formal education systems

18. Drug addiction to synthetic substances (e.g., opioids)

19. Alcoholism from commercial liquor

20. Smoking-related lung cancer

21. Sedentary lifestyle diseases

22. Depression from urban isolation

23. Anxiety from career competition

24. Road rage

25. Overcrowding in public transport

26. Housing shortages

27. Gentrification displacement

28. High cost of living

29. Inflation-driven financial stress

30. Consumerism-driven debt

31. Advertising-induced dissatisfaction

32. Fast food-related health issues

33. Genetically modified food concerns

34. Pesticide poisoning

35. Water contamination from industrial waste

36. Soil degradation from monoculture farming

37. Deforestation from urban expansion

38. Climate change anxiety

39. Nuclear radiation exposure

40. Electromagnetic radiation from devices

41. Smartphone overuse injuries (e.g., text neck)

42. Video game addiction

43. Online gambling

44. Pornography addiction

45. Celebrity culture obsession

46. Political polarization from mass media

47. Fake news misinformation

48. Election fraud concerns

49. Bureaucratic corruption in government services

50. Tax evasion penalties

51. Property disputes from land titles

52. Lawsuits and legal battles

53. Prison overcrowding

54. Police brutality

55. Gun violence

56. Terrorism from ideological extremism

57. Mass shootings

58. Organized crime syndicates

59. Human trafficking from urban networks

60. Child labor in factories

61. Sweatshop exploitation

62. Workplace harassment

63. Gender inequality from corporate glass ceilings

64. Racial discrimination in institutional settings

65. Ageism in employment

66. Homelessness from urban poverty

67. Slum sanitation issues

68. Sewer system failures

69. Power grid outages

70. Internet outages

71. Data privacy breaches

72. Corporate monopolies

73. Stock market crashes

74. Economic recessions

75. Currency devaluation

76. Factory pollution

77. Oil spills

78. Plastic waste accumulation

79. Electronic waste disposal

80. Overfishing from industrial fleets

81. Loss of biodiversity from urbanization

82. Invasive species from global trade

83. Antibiotic resistance from overuse

84. Hospital-acquired infections

85. Medical malpractice lawsuits

86. High healthcare costs

87. Pharmaceutical dependency

88. Vaccine hesitancy debates

89. Mental health stigma in clinical settings

90. Divorce from nuclear family stress

91. Child custody battles

92. Domestic violence from alcohol abuse

93. Elder neglect in care homes

94. Retirement savings anxiety

95. Pension fund shortages

96. Traffic congestion

97. Parking shortages

98. Urban heat island effects

99. Noise-induced hearing loss

100. Time poverty from multitasking

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Context and Rationale

- Lifestyle: Isolated tribal communities often rely on hunting, gathering, or small-scale agriculture, avoiding processed foods and sedentary habits that drive obesity, diabetes, and heart disease (e.g., 1–4). In India, tribes like the Onge or Baiga eat wild fruits, tubers, and game, maintaining lean physiques.

- Technology: Lack of electricity, internet, and devices eliminates issues like internet addiction, cyberbullying, or smartphone injuries (8–11, 41–45). The Sentinelese, for instance, have no exposure to screens.

- Economy: Self-sufficiency and barter systems mean no debt, inflation, or consumerism stress (12–15, 28–30). Tribes like the Jarawa don’t use currency.

- Environment: Living in harmony with nature avoids pollution, industrial waste, and climate change impacts (35–39, 76–82). The Khasi in India’s Northeast preserve forests, not exploit them.

- Social Structure: Tight-knit, egalitarian communities reduce modern social ills like corporate burnout, political polarization, or urban isolation (22–23, 46–49). The Todas of Nilgiris share resources communally.

- Urban Issues: No cities mean no traffic, overcrowding, or housing crises (5, 25–27, 96–98). The Chenchu in Andhra Pradesh live in small, dispersed groups.

- Health Systems: Traditional healing avoids medical costs, malpractice, or antibiotic resistance (83–89). The Soliga use forest herbs, not pharmaceuticals.

- Crime and Law: Simple governance avoids lawsuits, organized crime, or gun violence (51–58). The Andaman tribes resolve disputes informally.

Indian Context

In India, isolated tribes (e.g., in the Andamans, Northeast, or central forests) face fewer modern diseases due to active lifestyles and natural diets. They lack exposure to urban stressors like exams or corporate jobs, and their communal living contrasts with the nuclear family breakdowns of cities. However, this list assumes isolation; contact with outsiders can introduce some issues (e.g., alcohol or disease).

This list highlights how isolation preserves a simpler existence, free from the complexities of modernity, though it doesn’t imply tribal life is without challenges—just that they differ from those of industrialized societies.

I have realised that Humanity is a Disease. As we form larger groups, our problems increase. As we communicate more, our problems become unsolvable.

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