Modernism Versus Traditionalism - The Obvious but Unnoticeable Difference

What is the difference between modernism and traditionalism? How does it correlate with being liberal and conservative? In this blog post I will explain the difference between the two. It’s important to understand the difference between modernism and traditionalism – or being liberal or conservative while maintaining a vintage lifestyle. With the rapid growth of progressiveness over the last decades, it is now apparently strong in the 21st century. Liberalism and modernism has been fully embedded into the fabric of society. We can see the backlash of modernism and liberalism in education, schools, science, dating, the media, fashion and many more institutions. 

The fundamental purpose of maintaining a vintage lifestyle is to not show off vintage fashion for likes on social media – but it’s to engage in a part of history where times were much simpler. It’s a lifestyle of having less technology, less pressure to conform to society’s standards of living and preserving traditional values among family, marriage, community and work.

Often when we meet other vintage enthusiasts they tend to have a desire for modernism and liberalism while maintaining a vintage appeal. This may be confusing to other authentic vintage lifestylists and other vintage enthusiasts as it defeats the purpose of rejecting modern times as an old soul. It shows how modern progressiveness controls our minds to become completely void of traditional life.

Let's quickly take a look at the key characteristics of modernism and traditionalism:

Modernism:

The idea of progressing mankind isn’t anything new. Mankind has always figured out new innovations in order to advance – the spear, the wheel, clothing, horse and carriage, trains, automobiles and the list goes on and on. The idea of modernism that we know of today was first conceptualized towards the end of the 20th century. The idea of rapidly producing to consume and pushing, new innovations, moving to the city, new fashion trends, social protesting caused society to progress towards liberalism – or freedom – of living with a disregard to traditional life. 

The key characteristics of modernism are:

-Rejection of religious and moral principles.

-Rejection of traditional systems including arts, science, education, philosophy, history, family, marriage, community and work

-Desire of freedom of expression, experimentation, exploring sexuality orientation, exploring gender identity and incest.

-Control of free speech and revising human nature

-Believes in social constructions and trends

Of course, not all modern or liberal individuals believe in the same concepts, but for the most part - the majority does. The crucial foundation of modernism is to “produce more to consume more” which I interpret not only as overindulgence on spending but a means to capitalize off of suffrage and victimhood. The word “liberal” became popular towards the 21^st century. Liberalism is associated with modernism.

Traditionalism:

Being traditional is the original human way of living. Traditionalism teaches us to live with limits and be content. 

The key characteristics of traditionalism are:

-Traditional folks tend to maintain values presented by religion and the Bible

- Seeks the divine truth - whether than finding the truth through society

-Traditionalists like to keep the natural order of things and dislike the disruption of natural order

-Reluctant to new ideas, new innovations, technology, gadgets, science, societal change, social constructs and trends

- Doesn't get entirely involved in political affairs, societal movements, protests, etc. 

-The word “conservative” is associated with traditionalism. 

As humans we all desire happiness and fulfillment. Driven by greed and demon-like behavior, man became the enemy of man. Many people wonder how producing more to consume more lead to human development and happiness. People are consuming more than ever but are not happy from within. Is technology necessary for the growth of mankind? Does the push for science lead to the divine truth over nature?

As we may notice a majority of modern, liberal individuals tend to carry an angry, victimized demeanor meanwhile traditional individuals tend to be happier and carefree. Why is this? Well when you’re in tune with a simpler way of seeing life and humanity, disagreements and history doesn’t bother as much – and this is the foundation of traditionalism as well. Traditional values will always continue to ensure human emotions, happiness and the divine truth of human nature.

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