How do humans typically respond to increasing complexity and rates of change in their environment?

Humans often respond to increasing complexity and rapid rates of change by retreating into ideological simplicity. This behavior can be understood through psychology and sociology; as environments become more complex, individuals may experience feelings of overwhelm and uncertainty. To cope with this, they may seek simplified narratives or ideologies that provide clear answers and a sense of stability. This response often involves adhering more strictly to established beliefs, which can serve as a form of cognitive comfort against a backdrop of uncertainty and change.

By focusing on the familiar and the straightforward, people may feel a sense of control in an otherwise chaotic environment. This retreat into simplicity can manifest in various ways, such as adherence to populism, reliance on fundamentalist perspectives, or embracing overly simplistic solutions to complex problems. While this approach may temporarily alleviate anxiety caused by complexity, it can also limit critical thinking and stifle innovative solutions, ultimately impacting societal progress.

In contrast, the other options, while they may represent potential responses to complexity and change, do not capture this prevalent psychological tendency as specifically as the notion of retreating into ideological simplicity. Embracing progressive ideas, prioritizing technology, or collaborating with diverse groups might indeed be effective strategies in certain contexts, but these strategies require a willingness to engage with and