One of the most common forms or meanings of the term degradation is the one that has to do with the idea that something loses its initial characteristics or its essential features to become something simpler or more imperfect, there is a progressive decrease in qualities and characteristics. of something or someone.
Loss of quality in the qualities and characteristics of something or someone that occurs progressively
In this sense, the two situations in which the term can be used is when we speak, for example, of the degradation of a material, a person, an object or a product.
Use in medicine to refer to those diseases that cause progressive damage
In Medicine it is also a concept that is applied when cells suffer some type of deterioration, whether temporary or permanent, and the causes can be produced by various circumstances, including changes in the composition of water, cold, radiation, inflammation, among others. .
On the other hand, there are progressive diseases that start out mild and then progress to certainly serious pathologies.
Macular degradation can cause sight to gradually fade.
Other common degenerative diseases that affect thousands of people around the world are Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's.
As we know, both progressively produce problems in the health of the individual who suffers from them.
Humiliation, loss of position and deprivation of rights
On the other hand, the concept is usually applied as a synonym of baseness and humiliation and to account for the deprivation or reduction in terms of rights, privileges and even hierarchical levels.
At an ecological and natural level, degradation means that an already completed and manufactured product or object begins to be degraded by nature in order to absorb it, an action for which it needs to be simplified and physically altered.
The second situation is when one speaks of degradation in terms of the institutional level or the position that a person can hold, for example in the army.
This degradation also means lowering the level, from a higher to a lower or simple one.
Biological and ecological degradation
Degradation in biological and ecological terms is today one of the most discussed phenomena that has to do with the way in which the planet works tirelessly to try to absorb the elements that are produced and discarded by humans.
While the degradation of organic elements is much simpler and faster, other inorganic elements such as plastic, polyethylene, glass, metals, can take much longer to degrade and therefore become a problem for the environment. that alter their characteristics before he can alter his.
Degradation understood as lowering a level or position in an institution carries a much more negative connotation since it is always assumed that for it to occur, there must be some conflict involved.
The degradation can be caused by poor performance of the activities or responsibilities that a position entails, as well as by acts of corruption, negligence or crime, by inability to occupy the position provided, etc.
When degradation affects the reputation of an institution
In the case of traditional institutions in which hierarchy is very important, such as the army, ecclesiastical institutions, a company, politics, the family, among others, degradation can mean a rather serious and complex problem that will make people lose. the institution affected its good reputation.
Let us think of the various cases of pedophilia in the church that have come to light in recent years, and that have had important priests as protagonists of precisely that aberrant crime against minors.
Beyond the fact that the highest authorities of the church have asked forgiveness for the serious sins committed by other members and that they have been separated from the institution, we must say that their credibility and respect have been severely affected by these cases.
As a consequence, many faithful withdrew from the Church because despite this apology they felt absolutely disappointed by the religion in which they strongly believed.
Politics also in recent years has shown an enormous degradation especially in regard to the public debates it offers, normally occupied in minor and frivolous issues and not in the important issues that will improve the well-being of the people.
And we can not ignore the issue of corruption, so entrenched in power and that of course degrades the activity of the politician, people disbelieve their true intentions, if they want to improve their lives through the discussion of good policies or if they come to power only to get rich.
