After 1850, the development of new technologies had a significant impact on the material conditions of human life. These technologies facilitated increased productivity, which led to economic growth and the rise of mass production and mass consumption. As a result, people's standard of living improved as they were able to afford more and better goods and services.
Some of the key technologies that contributed to these improvements include the steam engine, which revolutionized transportation and industry; the telegraph, which facilitated the rapid transmission of information; and the development of new sources of energy, such as coal and oil, which helped to power the Industrial Revolution.
In addition to improving material conditions, these new technologies also had a profound impact on society and culture. They facilitated the rise of modernist philosophies, which challenged traditional ideas about humanity and human consciousness. Modernists believed that progress was possible through the application of scientific and rational methods, and that traditional social and cultural practices should be abandoned in favor of more rational and progressive ways of living.
This sense of progress and optimism was accompanied by a sense of crisis for established ideas of humanity and human consciousness. Many traditional cultural and religious practices and beliefs were called into question as people embraced more rational and scientific ways of thinking. This led to a sense of uncertainty and anxiety about the future, as people struggled to reconcile their traditional beliefs with the rapid changes brought about by modernity.