Loneliness and Digitalization of Behavior

Do I need to even write anything with a title like that?

It is obvious that the rising epidemic of loneliness in societies that have embraced the digital revolution is indeed linked to our increasing interaction with machines. Japan is very different to the West in culture except it has embraced digital technology even more than the West.

Yes, a problem of loneliness in the UK:

www.theguardian.com...

Loneliness is harming our society. Your kindness is the best cure

www.theguardian.com...

Loneliness as bad for health as long-term illness, says GPs' chief

A problem of loneliness in the U.S:

fortune.com...

Chronic Loneliness Is a Modern-Day Epidemic

www.forbes.com...

We’re getting lonelier. The General Social Survey found that the number of Americans with no close friends has tripled since 1985. “Zero” is the most common number of confidants, reported by almost a quarter of those surveyed. Likewise, the average number of people Americans feel they can talk to about ‘important matters’ has fallen from three to two. Mysteriously, loneliness appears most prevalent among millennials. I see two compounding explanations.

First, incredibly, loneliness is contagious. A 2009 study using data collected from roughly 5000 people and their offspring from Framingham, Massachusetts since 1948 found that participants are 52% more likely to be lonely if someone they’re directly connected to (such as a friend, neighbor, coworker or family member) is lonely. People who aren’t lonely tend to then become lonelier if they’re around people who are.

The second reason for millennial loneliness is the Internet makes it viral. It’s not a coincidence that loneliness began to surge two years after Apple launched its first commercial personal computer and five years before Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web. Ironically, we use the Internet to alleviate our loneliness. Social connection no longer requires a car, phone call or plan – just a click. And it seems to work: World of Warcraft players experience less social anxiety and less loneliness when online than in the real world. The Internet temporarily enhances the social satisfaction and behavior of lonely people, who are more likely to go online when they feel isolated, depressed or anxious. The Internet provides, as David Brooks wrote in a New York Times column last fall, “a day of happy touch points.”

日本社会における孤独, Nihon shakai ni okeru kodoku
(Loneliness in Japanese Society):

www.japantimes.co.jp...

Results from Japan’s national census last year are dribbling in and the reaction in the media often focuses on one pair of statistics: The number of households is increasing while population is declining, which means that there are a lot more single-person households than there were 10 years ago and there will be even more 10 years from now. In fact, experts predict that single-person households will be the dominant demographic in a short time, and many if not most of them will be occupied by lonely old people, presumably with no families to fall back on, thus placing even greater strain on an already overburdened social welfare system.

The Japanese even have a "Lonely Death" word:

en.wikipedia.org...

Kodokushi (孤独死) or lonely death refers to a Japanese phenomenon of people dying alone and remaining undiscovered for a long period of time.[1] The phenomenon was first described in the 1980s.[1] Kodokushi has become an increasing problem in Japan, attributed to economic troubles and Japan's increasingly elderly population.[1][2] It is also known as koritsushi (孤立死) and dokkyoshi (独居死). Contents

Only today this artist is romanticizing loneliness. Even the young are on their own now:

www.bbc.co.uk...

'Lonely gifs' by Motocross Saito celebrate solitude in Japan

From the above it seems clear that Internet and Digital cultures have an emerging LONELINESS epidemic. Japan is perhaps the best example of what we will become as they are slightly ahead of the rest of us having embraced the digital culture more extensively and earlier. Yes, LONELINESS is catching, too, as the above states. It is spreading.

It appear that digital culture is totally transforming our relationships, too; what to is anybody's guess. ll we have is the early warning system of Japan. We know the robots are coming. Is the house being swept clean for new tenants? Will we be wanting company that we can turn on and off when we please, who never argues with us and can be programmed to be different characters and personalities at a whim. Lol, personality software will be big business when the robots arrive! I will want a full stash of types like I am a VST junkie now with the music studio software.

We are becoming so individualized in our experiences. Who else has had your digital experiences? It is something you do alone, where you do not have to compromise or share anything in terms of interest.

Do I even feel lonely any longer? Not really. I have been a digital hermit since 2005, not because I wanted to be, but circumstances forced it upon me. It took me dragging and screaming, tears of loneliness for a long time. That all changed as I became less wanting to socialize with others. I don't get anything like the depths of intensity I need from others now. I did in the past, but those kind of people are so rare now, especially for an intelligent person who does not have much money. Your peers do not want to know you because you are too intelligent for them and make them feel small; so they don't want you around. Rich and educated people don't want you because you can't keep up. Anyhow, I don't want to socialize particularly with people who are eating McDonalds and watching silly garbage TV all the time. What will I have in common with them? What do I have in common with the wealthy people who have forgotten all the joys of beatnik craziness and experimentation and only think of themselves, the worth of their real estate, etc.

There was nobody for me so I made my own world. Trouble is there are many many others doing that, too. I was just an earlier model. I knew that anyway. I have been watching this unfold.

I don't look for company any more. It is an anxiety to have to socialize with anybody face to face apart from a close friend I have. Even then we only spend a few hours each month in each others physical company. I have not even been sexually involved with another for over 12 years now. I no longer want to be. My sexuality has even adapted to visual stimulus alone through a screen. In physical life I would never be able to enjoy the diversity of race, youth to maturity, beauty that the internet provides.

continued in part 2...

I am a willing victim of digital culture. Even my most recent memories are mainly digital. I catch myself thinking sentimentally about online experiences. I want this to become even more sensual of course.

It feels not only like socialization because the authorities and the social engineers wanted this. I want it, too, because it is giving me a lot of what I need more conveniently and in a less anxiety inducing way. I am much more learned than I would ever have been without the internet. My music would be much more remedial, too. That is why! It is actually giving me greater intellectual power in all forms. It is making so much so convenient. Evolution works upon such developments, be sure of that. It really is a kind of evolution.

The biggest draw back is the health aspect. My health, since becoming isolated, is not very good. I am always getting illnesses and infections. I believe that our immune systems will have to adapt. In the usual world we were constantly bombarded which gave our immune systems a lot of needed exercise and experience. There will undoubtedly be biological consequences for our health. This could be real bad during the adjustment phase where there is an obvious mental and physical health vulnerability. Let us hope that our immune systems and our emotional responses can adapt as quickly as our behavior is doing.

Lots more I could write, but I will leave it at that, for fear of boring you.

It's a state of mind, and what a patronizing article

There's a myth in society, well there's actually a lot of bullsh*t in society (hence one of the reasons why intelligent people may get sick of it from time to time), but the idea that you should live your life in the hope of finding that 'someone' or you have to be popular, it's utter crap.

Being alone teaches you who you are, you either love yourself or hate yourself, but either way, it's up to you to deal with it or change it, no-one else

a reply to: Revolution9

I did in the past, but those kind of people are so rare now, especially for an intelligent person who does not have much money. Your peers do not want to know you because you are too intelligent for them and make them feel small; so they don't want you around.

I would only suggest you ask yourself if the root cause of your isolation is the rest of the world... or yourself?

Are you THAT smart? Are you SO BRIGHT that you manage to not succeed economically OR with interpersonal relationships?

originally posted by: Zcustosmorum
It's a state of mind, and what a patronizing article

What do you mean? What is patronizing? Which article?

Why is it patronizing to say that I don't like crap culture?

I DON'T LIKE CRAP CULTURE OF ANY KIND.

I DON'T GET ON WITH MY PARENTS BECAUSE THEY ARE GREEDY, SELFISH AND ONLY THINK OF MONEY.

What is patronizing about that? At least my robot girlfriend and boyfriend threesome will not be offended when I tell them I hate crap culture and am really pissed with the selfishness of my parents. They will just make pleasing moaning sounds because the algorithms tell them to.



I am only being honest. If I did not think and feel this or if I had not observed it I would not have said it.

You are like one of those people I avoid because of their bullying nasty savage ways as you prove with your nasty little comment. I must have made you feel a bit inferior because that's all you go in your gun there, partner, and it an't anything like the silver bullet you are gonna need to deal with me.

I prove my point. I can't deal with your crap so I have put a #ing screen between us.

originally posted by: eluryh22
a reply to: Revolution9

I did in the past, but those kind of people are so rare now, especially for an intelligent person who does not have much money. Your peers do not want to know you because you are too intelligent for them and make them feel small; so they don't want you around.

I would only suggest you ask yourself if the root cause of your isolation is the rest of the world... or yourself?

Are you THAT smart? Are you SO BRIGHT that you manage to not succeed economically OR with interpersonal relationships?

You are being so silly. I have just written a whole thread, a long one, full of information from other sources saying it is NOT JUST ME.

Use your brain! Think about the subject, not me. I don't want your input. It is useless. Don't criticize my stance. I decided this and it is how I do business. I don't give a hoot what you think about that. Stay out of my personal head space like I stay out of yours.

Instead, think about the LONELINESS EPIDEMIC that me and many others all over the world are spreading like the plague!

a reply to: Revolution9

Bullying?

Man, how sensitive are you? And dealing with my crap? You posted your rant, deal with life in however way you see fit, but at the end of the day, your health is up to you, your environment is up to you, you want to hide from it, then fine, go hide.

The mind is a powerful thing, maybe you should learn to use it properly

a reply to: Revolution9

Only extros worry about this stuff, to be honest.

a reply to: Revolution9

I don't think loneliness today is a result of technology overload.
Tech does play a part though. People will say things in text form that they would not say face to face.
"Try playing online video games"
Keyboard tough guys aplenty.

I think it's mostly due to today's "what about me" culture. My brother in law is a perfect example of that. He has a problem with a car or his mower doesn't start and bam I get a call or text asking me for help. I text him wanting help with something and magically he doesn't respond to the text or call.
My phone used to say the text was read but he must have changed the setting so I wouldn't know that.

This opinion is not the only answer but I think it's a big factor.

We have been made lonely since the invention of church, radio, then tv, then compooters.

Because when the 'show' is on everyone can sit, even in the same room together, totally silent as they watch or listen to their favorite 'show'.

They been trained not to interact for over a hundred years.

The human experience is inherently lonely and always has been. Everyone lives alone in the world they create in their mind. No one else experiences your thoughts or emotions. Sometimes I realize I'm just a background object or an occasional side character for most of the people I walk past or see who are the same in my life.

a reply to: intrptr

Go back further.

a reply to: Zcustosmorum

Good post

originally posted by: ADSE255
a reply to: intrptr

Go back further.

Divide and conquer has been around forever. As far as mass mind control, the nazis perfected it with the advent of radio.

Napoleon spoke of the “press as the seventh great power.” Its significance became politically visible with the beginning of the French Revolution, and maintained its position for the entirety of the 19th century. The century’s politics were largely determined by the press. One can hardly imagine or explain the major historical events between 1800 and 1900 without considering the powerful influence of journalism.

German propaganda archive

originally posted by: Zcustosmorum
a reply to: Revolution9

Bullying?

Man, how sensitive are you? And dealing with my crap? You posted your rant, deal with life in however way you see fit, but at the end of the day, your health is up to you, your environment is up to you, you want to hide from it, then fine, go hide.

The mind is a powerful thing, maybe you should learn to use it properly

It is NOT A RANT. Leave me alone. Concentrate on the the subject, not me. I can tell you don't like the kind of person I am. Cool, but you can not be allowed to shut me down or mess with my communication by trying to sabotage it. I tell you again: That is why the screen is here. Lots of people will understand what I mean by that.

It is very sad, but perhaps also very needed. I was making a point about the biology aspect of isolation FOR US ALL. I am telling you it is really important and will certainly have consequences. it is already doing. This is not a rant. if it was a rant it would be in the rant section. It is in the relationships section, related to HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS experiencing huge changes in expression.

Don't attack me. Let's deal with the subject.

That is why this screen is here because PEOPLE KEEP ATTACKING ME. That is why I withdrew. it is not right that I should have to have that happen whenever I leave the house. You are just another one of many. I can't change who I am. I am who I am and people constantly attack me for it, both online and in physical life. In work they attacked me. At school they attacked me. In the street they attacked me. Even in my home they broke down my door and attacked me. That is why.

Am I allowed to breathe without being attacked? This is all relative to the thread subject.

a reply to: Revolution9

Well this is a very honest thread.

I know a bit about isolation, it's something I've practiced a few times. It can be detrimental to your mental health, somewhere along the line the abnormal becomes normal, things like companionship, love or socialising becomes a foreign thing.

The thing is though, you can crave that again. You can't just wipe the basic software from your hardware. We're all human and no matter how much we neglect or forget aspects of our existence we can't just delete it... We couldn't be us otherwise.

But yeah... In all honesty a lot of what you wrote vibed with me, others might say you need this or should do that. The choice is yours, and I understand why people don't like people.

At the same time though, interaction with others isn't always a bitter experience. People can be so uptight with their own existence, people who often interact forget a person is on the other end. Sometimes we can be pleasantly surprised by who is on the other end.

I ain't saying go out and interact, I'm saying out there? Most people ain't that bad. Most people have their own problems and many of them know that nobody really wants to listen.

For what it's worth, I'll listen.

When humans stop acting human I must insist on being human. This day and age?

Too many mouths not enough ears.

a reply to: Revolution9

Do you not think you're being slightly exaggerative by saying "being attacked"?

Technology is irrelevant, dysfunctional family members are irrelevant, idiotic people (of which there are many in society) are irrelevant. Loneliness is a state of mind.

I will say though, with the way society is, it's not designed to how we as human beings were meant to live, that could all stem back to the same corrupt idiots who polluted us with the lie of religion, and or the same lie that is current Western financial systems. Society as it is today is not anyone's friend, as for the most part it's designed to enslave us and condition us, which I guess could make it difficult for some people to grasp who they actually are, and not who society makes them believe they are

originally posted by: dug88

The human experience is inherently lonely and always has been. Everyone lives alone in the world they create in their mind. No one else experiences your thoughts or emotions. Sometimes I realize I'm just a background object or an occasional side character for most of the people I walk past or see who are the same in my life.

Good song, thank you.

originally posted by: Bluntone22
a reply to: Revolution9

I don't think loneliness today is a result of technology overload.
Tech does play a part though. People will say things in text form that they would not say face to face.
"Try playing online video games"
Keyboard tough guys aplenty.

I think it's mostly due to today's "what about me" culture. My brother in law is a perfect example of that. He has a problem with a car or his mower doesn't start and bam I get a call or text asking me for help. I text him wanting help with something and magically he doesn't respond to the text or call.
My phone used to say the text was read but he must have changed the setting so I wouldn't know that.

This opinion is not the only answer but I think it's a big factor.

I agree to a point, but that behavior has arguably come about because of increased expectations because of our digital experiences. We are now all the drivers of everything. That is a good thing, but we all want to be the boss of everything now. When I am in great need my friend will show up in an hour. I am not selfish. I would do anything for anyone. If I talk about subjects I have studied for years people will have all the answers even though hey had not thought of it just 10 seconds before. We all know what is being dealt to us in instances like that; bs.

I just linked to this behavior all over the world in very different cultures. Even you are saying that the world is what you think it is not what evidence is telling you to a degree. I am not like that. I am evidence based. My thread is based all on evidence if you read the articles. Your own opinion does not have a link even, just your own observation.

You have disregarded in the main what I have said, what newspapers have reported and many experienced professionals with statistics all over the world have concluded. That is why we have a fake news post truth environment because people now believe their own thoughts are king whether truth, lie or some messy grey stuff in between. It is the internet and digital culture that is nurturing this. We are all becoming "selfies". It is the me, myself and I. Yes, the behavior is there, but the digital culture made it so.

Please find me lots of professional links from psychologists and newspapers, etc that say loneliness is because we are all more selfish than we used to be.

I do not have a selfish bone in my body. I exhibit the isolationist behavior and have even cultivated that. It is NOT because I am selfish. If I let your comment go unchallenged I would be allowing you to say I am like this because I am selfish.

That is not true. You must back up what you are saying. It is not enough just to say that you think. We all think and we all have our own agendas. We all manipulate.

Again, there is an epidemic of loneliness in internet and digital cultures. It is contagious and is spreading. It is not because people are more selfish. They are no different to how they have always been.

In isolation of course the emphasis will be on our selves because there is nobody else to think about. There are people who facilitate groups and belong to groups. It is not everyone that is doing it. It is a growing phenomenon and a precursor of things to come as much as I am able to ascertain right now based upon the information available that sources are reporting and I am witnessing.

Though I live a lone life I am certainly not selfish. In Japan I would be actually very usual and normal. I am like the figure in that art work, surrounded by all my musical equipment, no different at all.

After my first wife left me for another woman, I was lonely for awhile and just spent all my time on line.

One day I aired up my bicycle tires and went for a ride down to my local beer joint and listened to this song on the Juke box.





The curative powers of Rock and Roll are astonishing.

Good Luck amigo!! Take your guitar out on the street and start busking. You won't be lonely anymore. I am living proof actually.