Even though we are more connected than ever due to the proliferation of technology, studies show we are lonelier than ever. In fact, a great percentage of Americans feel loneliness is part of their daily lives. Even in the midst of people, many of us still feel alone. Why is it with the expansion of technological interconnectedness that we feel isolated and dissatisfied with relationships?
The conclusion that I have come to is that our relationships and connections suffer from a lack of warmth and intimacy. A text message saying “I love you” does not convey the same effect as if it’s delivered while looking at someone in the eyes or even receiving a letter.
An email does not conjure the emotion that a handwritten letter or card can relay. In our world, we do things for convenience. We do them because they are quicker and easier than the old fashioned way of doing things. However, relationships suffer in ways that the rest of our lives do not when we chose the way of convenience.
Good relationships develop through intimacy and physical human connection. The technology of today is a detriment to creating and maintaining good relationships. While seeing Great Aunt Susie’s photos on Facebook may be enough to sustain you, connecting with those close to your heart like your children only through technology may leave you feeling disconnected and lonely.
Since the beginning of time, humans have related by seeing each other, looking into each other’s eyes, talking to one another, and forging friendships. When the human connection is lost, we are left but a skeleton of a relationship. The relationship exists only as a structure, but there is no heart to it. It is lifeless.
The convenience of communication destroys the essence of the communication.
Humans are meant to be touched and hear each other’s voices and see each other’s expressions. Today we become mere extensions of faceless technology rather than living, breathing entities with real emotions and meaning.
Although it is convenient to communicate through technology, it has detrimental effect on our society. We must make every effort to communicate with those we care about in person, not just through technology. We must talk to them, not just by telephone or text message, but really by seeing them and listening to them.
In a world where technology is always ON and noise pervades almost every waking moment, we need to sit back, look someone in the eyes, and listen to them. Turn your phone off, put the laptop away, and genuinely connect with someone.
Only when we realize that our relationships require more care than technology can deliver will we solve the crisis of loneliness in our society. We need to stop treating relationships like a drive thru restaurant, something to be done quickly for convenience, in lieu of taking the time to truly know someone.
Connection with others requires time and is worth savoring. Our relationships with others cannot be convenient, they need to be deep and real. Loneliness is a deficiency in affection and is like any other pervasive disease that afflicts the body and mind.
The cure to our loneliness and that of others is to put real effort into creating real relationships with others without the interference of technology.
If your face sees a screen more than it sees the faces of others in your lives, it is likely that you will have a sense of disconnection and loneliness.
Put down your phone. Step away from the screen. Talk. Listen. Connect.
Find joy in real connections with others.
Very good article Doc, so true.
I remember St.Mother Teresa saying on her first visit to the usa .
She was shocked by the amount of loneliness and human to human touch.✝️