The human mind is an incredible problem-solving machine, evolved over millennia to navigate challenges, overcome obstacles, and ensure survival. From finding food and shelter to understanding the mysteries of the universe, humanity’s progress has been driven by our innate need to figure things out.

Yet in the 21st century—a time of unprecedented technological convenience and societal stability (for many)—there’s a growing sense of emptiness. Many of the critical problems that once demanded our attention and ingenuity have been solved or outsourced to machines. This has left us grappling with a surprising dilemma: a lack of truly important things to figure out.

The Evolutionary Drive to Solve Problems

Our ancestors lived in a world full of existential challenges. Every day brought problems to solve:

• Survival Needs: How to hunt, gather, and store food.
• Safety Concerns: How to protect oneself from predators or hostile groups.
• Environmental Adaptation: How to build shelters, create tools, and harness natural resources.

These challenges sharpened our intellect and creativity, embedding a problem-solving instinct deep in our biology. The reward for solving a problem—whether it was securing food or inventing the wheel—was survival, security, and progress.

Today, many of these primal challenges no longer exist. Food is readily available in supermarkets, shelter is largely a given for those in developed societies, and technology handles much of what once required human ingenuity.

The Problem of Having Fewer Problems

In the modern world, we’ve outsourced or automated many of the tasks that once required human effort and critical thinking. While this has brought incredible convenience, it has also created a void in our mental and emotional lives.

1. A Surplus of Comfort
   Life in the 21st century, for many, is remarkably comfortable. We no longer need to invent ways to stay warm in the winter or create tools to catch our dinner. This lack of immediate, tangible challenges can lead to feelings of boredom or restlessness.
2. Focus on Trivial Problems
   Without meaningful challenges, the mind often fixates on smaller, less significant issues. Social media disputes, minor inconveniences, or manufactured dramas can take on outsized importance simply because we crave something to solve.
3. Disconnection from Purpose
   Historically, solving problems was tied to survival or a greater purpose. In the absence of such stakes, many people struggle to find meaning, leaving them feeling adrift despite technological and societal advances.

What’s Left to Figure Out?

While the modern era has eliminated many of the problems that plagued humanity for centuries, there are still critical challenges to address—though they may feel less immediate or tangible.

1. Global Challenges
   Issues like climate change, inequality, and public health demand innovative solutions. These are complex, large-scale problems that require collective effort and intellectual engagement.
2. Philosophical Questions
   With basic survival needs largely met, humanity can focus more on existential and philosophical questions:

• What is the purpose of life?
• How do we define happiness and fulfillment?
• What does it mean to live ethically in an interconnected world?

3. Personal Growth
   In the absence of external challenges, many people turn inward, focusing on self-improvement, emotional intelligence, and personal fulfillment.
4. Technological Frontiers
   The rapid pace of technological advancement offers new problems to solve:

• How do we ethically integrate AI into society?
• How do we navigate privacy and security in a digital age?
• How do we use technology to enhance, rather than diminish, human connections?

Why These Challenges Feel Different

While the challenges of the 21st century are significant, they often lack the immediacy and personal stakes of historical problems. For instance:

• Climate change is a slow-moving crisis, making it harder to feel urgency compared to, say, escaping a predator.
• Philosophical questions lack definitive answers, leaving many feeling unsatisfied or overwhelmed by the ambiguity.
• Global issues often feel too large for one person to impact, leading to apathy or disengagement.

The Dangers of a Problem-Solving Void

When the mind lacks meaningful problems to solve, it can lead to unintended consequences:

1. Mental Health Struggles
   A lack of purpose or meaningful challenges can contribute to anxiety, depression, and a sense of emptiness.
2. Overindulgence in Distractions
   Without meaningful engagement, many turn to distractions like social media, video games, or constant entertainment to fill the void.
3. Polarization and Manufactured Drama
   In the absence of real problems, societies can create their own—manifesting in divisive debates, exaggerated grievances, or an obsession with trivial matters.

How to Reignite the Problem-Solving Instinct

1. Seek Out Meaningful Challenges
   Rather than waiting for problems to arise, actively seek out challenges that matter to you—whether it’s learning a new skill, volunteering for a cause, or tackling a creative project.
2. Engage with Big Questions
   Allow yourself to ponder life’s deeper questions. Even if there are no clear answers, the process of exploration can be fulfilling.
3. Contribute to Global Issues
   Get involved in addressing large-scale challenges, whether through activism, education, or innovation. Even small actions can have a ripple effect.
4. Cultivate Curiosity
   The 21st century may lack immediate survival problems, but it offers infinite opportunities for curiosity. Dive into topics that fascinate you, from science to art to history, and explore them with the same problem-solving spirit that drove our ancestors.
5. Find Joy in the Journey
   Sometimes, the act of figuring something out is more rewarding than the solution itself. Embrace the process, even if the stakes feel lower than they did for your ancestors.

Final Thoughts

The human mind was designed to solve problems, but the 21st century presents a paradox: while life has never been more convenient, the lack of immediate challenges leaves many feeling unfulfilled.

The solution lies in redefining what it means to figure things out. By embracing global issues, philosophical questions, and personal growth, we can reignite our problem-solving instincts and find purpose in a world that seems, at times, to lack urgent problems.

The challenges are still there—they’re just different. The key is to approach them with the same curiosity and determination that has driven humanity forward for thousands of years.