Credit to breadloaf for spawning my question.

This relates to pity movements as well in regards to so called underdeveloped 3rd world countries/poor people and such. I don't question the need for advances in technology upgrades in less well off portions of the planet but I question the mindset of less well off people being supposedly miserable.

Like the picture up above for instance, in all of it's pity party 1st world shaming glamour.

To most modern people this way of life is unheard of. And, to most modern people, it's an unthinkable, unknowable experience that's most likely miserable.

"Savage," if you will. But, only from their point of view.

What about the other side? Where the life they have is normal? To them being naked on a continent that on average is 10 million degrees of nope at all times is average. Having water in such conditions is average, everyday life. And, as we know, when you live an "average" every day life, it's just the norm, and therefore, acceptable.

So, my question here is, do you think a complete modern, 1st world societal overhaul with all of its trends is neccessary in countries like these for the well being and happiness of people? Keep in mind, I'm not advocating against the usage of technology to improve certain conditions and functions like medical care or water access, or, access to information.

To sum it up in short, do you have to be completely modern to be happy and considered in a state of well being?

By whose standard are we modern? People in 400 years may look at videos of our current lifestyle and ask, "is a modern lifestyle necessary for happiness? Look at these 21st century people, with their slow internet, manually-driven cars, dull and endless jobs, unhealthy food, and general shittiness. And yet they're enjoy it."

So no, clearly one can achieve happiness, self-actualization, and a full life in conditions less modern than what we currently live in.

People were happy before the 21st century, so no.  I'd say happiness is more abundant the more advanced a society is though.

It's not. Frankly one could argue modern societal structure, from a first world viewpoint, could cause less happiness given the responsibilities trusted upon people at young ages. Which isn't necessarily bad for society in terms of functioning, but I've seen polls on numerous occasions that show people in poorer countries are happier than those in developed ones, and people in developed countries have a higher depression rate. 

People who live in countries with poor health tend to not think health is a priority for their government; they are generally happy with their health, even if most of their deaths come from people below the age of five.

Why is this? Because people are fucking morons.

Absolutely not, I think humans can find some sort happiness not matter how far their society has developed as long as certain needs are fulfilled.

Wasn't there a survey that showed people from the 3rd world/developing countries felt happier than those elsewhere?

I'm putting that down to "ignorance is bliss". If you never knew how good life could be and for how long, you wouldn't really care or complain about your own life very much. Same way Facebook makes people depressed. Knowing that someone is having a great time on their summer holidays with their SO while you're at home doing eff all might get you in the dumps, but if you never knew you wouldn't give a flying fuck.

Of course not. In fact I think people are happier without all modern technology.