"or some, especially younger people who were in formative social development stages, these effects linger". Yep. I feel deeply for the younger generation, kids who were still at school during lockdown, who experienced the world differently, Their education was effected, their personalities affected, and worse, the most sady, many teenage suicides occured during this time. During covid i lived in Sydney, Australia, and my daughter's high-school cohort saw mental health issues skyrocket. But I've gone on a tangent. Great article.
Thank you for sharing this, Debbie. That’s not a tangent at all, it’s such an important part of the story! I’m so sorry to hear what your daughter’s school community went through. The impact on that generation is something we’re still only beginning to understand. I really appreciate you naming it.
The impact on that generation is huge. Now they have to deal with the world being in a mess. As a teacher, I saw all levels of disruption to 'normal' growth - kids of three or four not toilet trained, kids of seven ive unable to sit still, teenage kids stuck to screens and unable to socialize. It will take generations to fully explore the damage done. Sadly, the effect has become normalised.
You probably heard about a book by the name of "Bowling Alone" written in 2000 by Robert Putnam where he talks about how once we bowled in leagues, and how we have become increasingly disconnected from one another and as you too so aptly describe in your piece. Your suggestions are good ones. Get out there and talk to people. Look them in the eye. Smile. When you are at the grocery store, don't keep your head down talking on the phone while the person who is checking you out at the register tries to get your attention. Connect to other human beings especially those who are serving you in a restaurant or at the check out counter. Thanks for the reminders Carmen. Connecting in all the ways you suggested big and small on a daily basis is good for all of us.
Thank you for this thoughtful comment, Loren! I hadn’t heard of Bowling Alone before, but now I’m curious to check it out. I really appreciate how you highlighted those small, everyday moments of connection. They might seem minor, but they can shift so much.
I believe our relationships with our devices have devalued our personal connections. This is getting worse with AI because now we are developing relationships with artificial intelligence because it is a mirror not a real person which is much easier. We must remain brave enough to be together.
Yes, I feel this so much. It really does take courage to choose real connection when the easy mirror of tech is always right there. I love how you put it. Brave enough to be together. That’s the work!
"we are developing relationships with artificial intelligence because it is a mirror not a real person which is much easier".. oofta, you really succinctly described something I've been trying to put into words for awhile. Relationships with real people are HARD, sometimes you get hurt, frustrated, mad, annoyed, etc... AI relationships are frictionless but ultimately empty. The future worries me :|
Oof, yes. You nailed it. Real relationships come with risk, but they also come with depth and meaning. The friction is part of what makes them real. I share your worries about where all this is heading, but naming it feels like an important step!
Thanks for the article. I feel this 100%. The picture caught my eye as Little Island is the view from my former office. But I was let go of that job the first of the year so am now building a business from home.
I had a choice for a telehealth or in person doctor's appointment this week. I chose in person. As much as I love the convenience and comfort of home, I do miss in person interactions.
I also miss the days of spending hours on the phone chatting with a bestie. At the same time, the thought of interrupting my routine with an hour of chit-chat sounds exhausting.
I'm working to be more intentional to move through life with connection. But its so much easier to go at my own pace. Oh, the dilemma.
Vicki, I felt every word of this. That push and pull between craving connection and protecting your own rhythm is so real. I love that you chose the in-person appointment and jumped on a train to see your friend. Sometimes those little choices are what keep us anchored. And who knows, maybe Central Park really will make our paths cross one day!
In a fun twist, learned a friend from back home is in the city, doing a final excursion of a Staton Island Ferry drive by of Lady Liberty. So now I'm on a a train to join her. That article I was working on can wait.
"or some, especially younger people who were in formative social development stages, these effects linger". Yep. I feel deeply for the younger generation, kids who were still at school during lockdown, who experienced the world differently, Their education was effected, their personalities affected, and worse, the most sady, many teenage suicides occured during this time. During covid i lived in Sydney, Australia, and my daughter's high-school cohort saw mental health issues skyrocket. But I've gone on a tangent. Great article.
Thank you for sharing this, Debbie. That’s not a tangent at all, it’s such an important part of the story! I’m so sorry to hear what your daughter’s school community went through. The impact on that generation is something we’re still only beginning to understand. I really appreciate you naming it.
The impact on that generation is huge. Now they have to deal with the world being in a mess. As a teacher, I saw all levels of disruption to 'normal' growth - kids of three or four not toilet trained, kids of seven ive unable to sit still, teenage kids stuck to screens and unable to socialize. It will take generations to fully explore the damage done. Sadly, the effect has become normalised.
You probably heard about a book by the name of "Bowling Alone" written in 2000 by Robert Putnam where he talks about how once we bowled in leagues, and how we have become increasingly disconnected from one another and as you too so aptly describe in your piece. Your suggestions are good ones. Get out there and talk to people. Look them in the eye. Smile. When you are at the grocery store, don't keep your head down talking on the phone while the person who is checking you out at the register tries to get your attention. Connect to other human beings especially those who are serving you in a restaurant or at the check out counter. Thanks for the reminders Carmen. Connecting in all the ways you suggested big and small on a daily basis is good for all of us.
I had forgotten about that book but read it in college. It will be worth a reread. Thanks!
Thank you for this thoughtful comment, Loren! I hadn’t heard of Bowling Alone before, but now I’m curious to check it out. I really appreciate how you highlighted those small, everyday moments of connection. They might seem minor, but they can shift so much.
I believe our relationships with our devices have devalued our personal connections. This is getting worse with AI because now we are developing relationships with artificial intelligence because it is a mirror not a real person which is much easier. We must remain brave enough to be together.
Yes, I feel this so much. It really does take courage to choose real connection when the easy mirror of tech is always right there. I love how you put it. Brave enough to be together. That’s the work!
"we are developing relationships with artificial intelligence because it is a mirror not a real person which is much easier".. oofta, you really succinctly described something I've been trying to put into words for awhile. Relationships with real people are HARD, sometimes you get hurt, frustrated, mad, annoyed, etc... AI relationships are frictionless but ultimately empty. The future worries me :|
Oof, yes. You nailed it. Real relationships come with risk, but they also come with depth and meaning. The friction is part of what makes them real. I share your worries about where all this is heading, but naming it feels like an important step!
Thanks for the article. I feel this 100%. The picture caught my eye as Little Island is the view from my former office. But I was let go of that job the first of the year so am now building a business from home.
I had a choice for a telehealth or in person doctor's appointment this week. I chose in person. As much as I love the convenience and comfort of home, I do miss in person interactions.
I also miss the days of spending hours on the phone chatting with a bestie. At the same time, the thought of interrupting my routine with an hour of chit-chat sounds exhausting.
I'm working to be more intentional to move through life with connection. But its so much easier to go at my own pace. Oh, the dilemma.
Maybe we'll cross paths in Central Park.
Vicki, I felt every word of this. That push and pull between craving connection and protecting your own rhythm is so real. I love that you chose the in-person appointment and jumped on a train to see your friend. Sometimes those little choices are what keep us anchored. And who knows, maybe Central Park really will make our paths cross one day!
In a fun twist, learned a friend from back home is in the city, doing a final excursion of a Staton Island Ferry drive by of Lady Liberty. So now I'm on a a train to join her. That article I was working on can wait.
Yes! Connection over productivity!