The desire for connection is so irrepressible that people imagine relationships with important social others, or indulge in "social snacks" (e.g., photos of loved ones) and surrogates (e.g., parasocial attachments to television characters).
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/loneliness/200907/dimensions-human-connection-people-pets-and-prayers
And yet another interesting comment on loneliness. This time from Cacioppo’s blog (you’ll find a link in post below).
I asked for some comments, I got none, so that’s it! I’m not carrying anymore about proper post’s structure and logical content.
Today only some short movies, which are more or less connected to the subject. I’m using so many different websites to pick and collect “my favorites” that it’s slowly becoming more and more confusing to keep everything in mind, when it comes to present the next part of my ongoing reflections. I’m simply lost in creating of my own information network. Youtube, Delicious, Facebook, Myspace, Google Tools, Vimeo, Twitter, Blogs…damn I’ve been there. I am there actually, and so are my references. Too many, yet not enough.
So today I’m choosing simplicity. I post, you watch – you talk. (…who am I kidding? Did I mention that you can comment in other languages as well? Polish and French also very welcome.)
Both videos make you think about today state of human relationships, lack of a real communication. Completely different forms, completely different approaches, emphasis on rather different causes, but conclusion mainly the same. Two extremes - a depressive, touching and pretty melodramatic story and a cartoon joke.
I post, you watch - you talk.
I post, you watch - you talk.
Posts
5 comments:
it's totally scary.. those videos.. you know, I'm not agaist social networking. I like it. and I'm lucky to have real friends... however it's true that such websites as facebook, or twitter have a bright and a dark side. but all those inventions along with mobile phones have definitely changed communication. writing was always easier.. I mean, to express feelings for example. writing you never have to actually face a problem.. you distance yourself from it. oh man. this won't help you at all. anyway, i kinda think all the appliances we use both connect and disconnect us. you can get together with friends via fb, but then you grab a beer in reality. you CAN meet new people. but honestly, not many of those will be meaningfull. I mean you get bored with the "friends" you made as soon as you get bored with the website. um.. I definitely use the bright side of all those. to actually get to know something about people. sorry, my comment is not cohesive or coherent or anything.. but yeah, I'll post it anyway.. maybe some discussion?
Thanks! I think I know what are you trying to say. However, Internet and technological development itself are just one of the factors which can influence our sense of loneliness. What is more interesting for me is the possibility of contamination, and why are we so afraid of being alone. What are we doing to prevent it? More exactly, what are YOU, as an individual, doing for YOURSELF? (personal experience mode ON!)
personal experience it is then. i had such a lousy day today. I'm home alone this week. and it was SO quiet today. I had to study, but I couldn't focus. The perspective of sitting alone for the next 36 hrs or so was totally owerwhelming. so I turned on the radio, computer, facebook, even tv just to hear some noise. so that it wouldn't be so quiet. I'm guessing this strange feeling was enhanced by my cirrent anxiety which I hide deeeeeeeep down inside my brain. I don't want it to take over me. But still it's all about being lonely, not loneliness exactly. though it might give some insight on what we're afraid of. as you said being alone. why you ask? well I'd say because humans are gregarious animals (zwierzęta stadne). we don't like to depend on ourselves, don't want to think that it's all [whatever you think of really ;) every decision etc.] on us. socialising is one of the biggest parts of our lives. I mean we socialize in kindergarden, at school, university at work, anywhere. Even if those are quite superficial bonds, we still make them. And loneliness being a complete oposition to socializing frightens us. That's why we make friends, have relationships, have gods. So that there's always someone apart of us. someone to talk to.
oh. ps. I didn't proofread that ;)
This second video was quite amazing!
And ti is not Brechtian at at all :-))
Theatre and life....sometimes it is good...to stay seperate.
About lonliness...or solitude, I guess you refer to the first, it is a way of life yes, and there are many reasons for that but let's not generalise. There are people who live so close to the others that they cannot breath (look at very traditional communities where privacy does not exist). 'Me' and 'the other' are two sides of the same coin. Those who suffocate (perhaps the second video can be reversed here)are those who cannot express themselves and shout out loud their need.
On the other hand it is true that tv,facebook, in general internet can be a way to avoid yourself plus the other. A way to relax by being blanc. In that case I feel that we just avoid ourseves and our needs.
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