The End of Alone

I find a little disconcerting some aspects of social networking and how technology is making sure that you can be “connected” 24/7. There’s something oxymoronic about mobile social networking when you think about it. Unless of course you’re alone when you’re out and about. I still don’t get for example, and will probably never get, location based status announcement thingys. I find it weird that people actually Twitter when there out and hanging out. And sure, I can see the benefits a technology like that can provide. It can be really handy if you need some question answered if you’re on a errand, but that is the least common reason why people Tweet with their phones. I don’t want to be the old guy saying that these kids today are crazy, but I think the old function of phones for calling people and talking with voices are better at “connecting” you with people.

But I digressed a little and started to nitpick at some specific ways people use technology to communicate. I bet that phones were criticized, and before that, the invention of the postal service was probably criticized because it’s going to “end civilization” or some other claim. There will always be gains and loses with new technologies. 

The Boston Globe article talks about the loss of being alone. The premise is that being always connected and never alone is not such a good thing. I totally agree with that. Young people born with this technology have probably never experienced solitude. Their constant need to be always connected is a fear of being lonely, but they are confusing the two, and like the article mentions, you can be always surrounded by people but still feel lonely. From the article:

It turns out that research shows people who feel lonely are no more likely to be physically alone. Cacioppo acknowledges that solitude can be very healthy, and he compares loneliness to a sort of thermostat, a state of mind that kicks in at different points for different people.

While we humans need social interaction, he’s in agreement that we won’t find it through Twittering and texting. Cacioppo points to research showing that electronic communication can increase social isolation and depression “when it replaces more tangible forms of human contact.” Another team of psychologists termed this form of communication “social snacking.” But, as he writes, a snack is not a meal.

Avoiding loneliness is completely natural, but if you never experience solitude, you will never be comfortable in your own skin and head.