Social Alienation - it seems to be getting worse

[Classist.]

So I was thinking that with the proliferation of technology and social media in recent years, combined with an increasingly factionalized and cliquish mentality in society at large, there has been an unprecedented surge in the atomitization and alienation of an increasingly large swath of people. I think that (largely) because of the internet an increasingly high number of people have become socially underdeveloped or poorly adjusted; and that we're only seeing the tip of the iceberg when it comes to how lonely, bitter, and spergy people will get when deprived of face to face interactions and a real life community. I mean you have kids these days being raised on their parents ipads and cell phone, and I really worry about what kind of social skills and attitudes kids in the next 10-20 years will have. I think that there might even be a bit of a Luddite backlash against this stuff when they grow up but maybe that's optimistic.

I know that societies have gone through far worse trauma in the past (like Weimar Germany for example), but I'm legitimately worried about the direction things seem to be going in right now. I'm not sure to what extent my worries are valid, but anecdotally it seems like things aren't getting better.

 

[Rumpled Foreskin]

The internet, and the connectivity it gives people to others, makes it almost a reflex for one to alienate others.

 

[Classist.]

The internet, and the connectivity it gives people to others, makes it almost a reflex for one to alienate others.

I wish there was a sad reaction I could use for posts like this.

 

[Rumpled Foreskin]

Sorry, fam.

 

[Exorbital Columnations]

Just worry about yourself and do what you can to foster community. These socially stunted types deserve our pity but what can we do other than try to show a better path?

Learn to do things that other people can enjoy and will break them out of their shell. I play guitar and sing in parks and other public spaces with a sign that says "Don't need money: relax and enjoy!" and I end up talking to lots of people who I never would have otherwise.

That's really all that can be done; individuals getting off their asses and making small changes to their local milieu. Everything else would dissolve into tyranny or be artificial and lifeless.

Least, that's what I reckon. -spits-

Oh and check out some churches, find one with decent people and maybe listen to a sermon or two.

 

[Shadfan666xxx000]

Lol, just raise some kids on books and talking and they'll be like superman to the next generation. Barely even joking tbh.

 

[oldTireWater]

Eh, plenty of people were socially and physically isolated before the internet. A lot of people are learning bad behaviors because of social media nurture, but the basement dwellers have always had it in their nature.

 

[Eryngium]

I know it sounds stupid and never will happen due to how entwined technology has gotten with out daily lives, but I think it would be a good thing to ban the internet for like a day or two a week to encourage social interactions or something, It always makes me sad when i'm somewhere, looking around, but can't make eye contact with anyone cause they are all on their phones.

 

[bev]

A lot of people don't realize just how drastically different communicating online versus offline is. While yes, texting someone or posting on forums satisfy the same basic intimacy needs (and does provide significant perks), online communication lacks the benefits that offline communication has.

Talking to people offline provide opportunities for conflict to arise (like yes-butting, interruptions, tone-shift, body language, etc.), and we learn how to cope with the conflicts and develop strategies to mitigate future conflicts. Those strategies are only maintained through practice. Since we cut off nearly all nonverbal cues when we're online, we don't develop those strategies. Talking to people offline becomes more intimidating and frustrating since less people understand how to respond appropriately in the moment. At the same time, due to our current style of livelihood (of working to live), we're inevitably isolated more often than not. For a lot of people, engaging in social activity isn't a possibility or a convenience.

That's why we're starting to see so many couples online. It's just easier since there's less of a chance of conflict and you can do it from home. You can literally shop for your next boyfriend/girlfriend if you're lonely by going on any dating site. And once you do develop a relationship, thanks to the accessibility of tech, you can be physically isolated without jeopardizing your relationship since all you need to do is send a text. There's also less of a need to be totally vulnerable, which is already bringing me to another tangent.

Anyway, it's online communication is efficient, lazy, and less nerve-wracking, but we absolutely do lose a lot because of it. If you're interested, here's an article by Finkel et. al about the benefits and repercussions to online communication (through the scope of romantic relationships, though). It's long but worth a read.

 

[Sprig of Parsley]

Real life doesn't have a Block function. I don't think it's surprising in any sense that people are fleeing into their phones, onto Facebook and Twitter and Instagram and so on. Give people a choice between the right way and the easy way, they choose easy 9 times out of 10... with a 10 percent margin of error there.

 

[Exorbital Columnations]

Lol, just raise some kids on books and talking and they'll be like superman to the next generation. Barely even joking tbh.

For real, my kids are going to be the uber mensch to these pale, frail and frightened little turds they're turning out right now.

 

[Clop]

Internet's easy, fam. It's also at least something.

Imagine someone sitting at home with the only skills to their name being indoor activities and no interest in alcohol and then imagine the little sad fuck can't even have an Internet connection. People in mental institutions at least have someone to talk to.

 

[Sprig of Parsley]

Internet's easy, fam. It's also at least something.

Imagine someone sitting at home with the only skills to their name being indoor activities and no interest in alcohol and then imagine the little sad fuck can't even have an Internet connection. People in mental institutions at least have someone to talk to.

...What, the voices in their head? Orderlies and doctors aren't great for conversation and other patients? Hooboy.

 

[Y2K Baby]

It'll lead to some cool media, I bet. More schizoids = more cool shit.

 

[Sprig of Parsley]

It'll lead to some cool media, I bet. More schizoids = more cool shit.

More Wesley Willises can only be a good thing.

 

[Clop]

...What, the voices in their head? Orderlies and doctors aren't great for conversation and other patients? Hooboy.

Come on man, I think you're great company.

 

[Crunchy Leaf]

There seem to be way more people with really severe anxiety, too. Like, people who can't call anyone or can't email anyone without breaking down. And then they justify it by saying they're an introvert, but that's not what introversion is.

Video games play a role in this too. Everyone's heard stories of guys who do nothing but play League all day. Not good.

 

[дядя Боря]

as sucky Internet may seem, I remember the days when long distance calls used to be few dollars a minute and dollar was worth more. Calling another city, never mind country was budget breaking.

I also remember first time signing on IIRC and spending two fucking days straight talking to people all over the world about everything. It was fucking awesome.

 

[Sprig of Parsley]

There seem to be way more people with really severe anxiety, too. Like, people who can't call anyone or can't email anyone without breaking down. And then they justify it by saying they're an introvert, but that's not what introversion is.

Video games play a role in this too. Everyone's heard stories of guys who do nothing but play League all day. Not good.

Anyone who plays LoL all day is going to turn into a homicidal maniac.

 

[Y2K Baby]

There seem to be way more people with really severe anxiety, too. Like, people who can't call anyone or can't email anyone without breaking down. And then they justify it by saying they're an introvert, but that's not what introversion is.

Video games play a role in this too. Everyone's heard stories of guys who do nothing but play League all day. Not good.

Anyone who plays LoL all day is going to turn into a homicidal maniac.

I play LoL all day. I'm just South Korean.