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Why Americans Suddenly Stopped Hanging Out - Too much aloneness is creating a crisis of social fitness. (www.theatlantic.com)

submitted 9 months ago by Renneder to c/becomeme

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[–] [email protected] 4 points 9 months ago (1 children)

I'm paywalled out of the article, but it seems like more electronics and less traditional social activities is just restating the problem. Too much 'what', not enough 'why'.

It feels to me that the social isolation epidemic started well before cell phones and personal electronic devices, and that it would have more to do with larger systemic problems - things like average hours worked, pay, source of personal identity, image of success, feeling that a good life is achievable, finding activities with good value for the cost, and feeling like other people enjoy being around you.

This world we're inhabiting feels less and less "human" and I don't think phones caused that...

[–] [email protected] 3 points 9 months ago

The article says it began in the 1970s, so I think you’re on to something. Also, the 70s was the decade where people started doing worse rather than better. Economic prospects declined, unions declined (or maybe I’m placing that a decade too early), OPEC happened. Everyone from then on was getting fucked slightly harder and now the system is beginning to collapse completely.