Technology Offers Independence But Robs Us of Social Connections


Questions: What are the conditions for creating a life where humans can flourish? Answer: Human connections.

According to researchers, one of the reasons we have seen higher levels of distrust over the past 30 years, along with increased levels of loneliness, anxiety, burnout, and depression, is the absence of human connection that neighbors can provide.

One of the explanations is the growth in technology. Technology increases our independence and ability to do things without relying on others.

For example, if I have a smartphone, I don't have to attend a meeting in person or physically go to the library to find information. These are both past activities that required social interaction. The smartphone allows me to do these things on my own.

If you add up all the new kinds of technology, we're having this rapid rate of change and an explosion of freedom or independence.

At the same time, human adaptability does not change. We are still social animals. Our brains are, in most respects, the same as the human brain was 6,000 years ago before we had any of this technology. So here we are as human, deeply social animals living in a world designed for independence and freedom, and separateness.

We are building our homes without front porches but with attached garages. I can drive my car into the garage, close the door, walk into my home, get on my computer, and do all my interactions without talking to my neighbor.

We are also seeing similar changes in business where one of the significant movements right now is toward a frictionless customer experience.

The frictionless experience is where you go in and have all your needs met without the interruptions of human interaction.

I can go into a store quickly and find exactly what I need with the help of an app on my phone. Then I can do a self-checkout. I can get in and out quickly, and I don't have the friction of asking people for directions or waiting in line and talking with somebody at the checkout counter.

This idea of frictionless interaction increases efficiency, but it removes our opportunities for social interaction.

We keep designing our world to have less and less dependence on other human beings. Yet, human nature, brain development, and everything else requires social interaction to feel good about my life.

So here we are, living in this world filled with this tension that is creating these social problems of polarization and divisiveness and mental health problems: stress, anxiety, and burnout.

I cannot change the world but can change how I respond.

I can choose to have more social interaction, do things differently, or purposefully go to events or third spaces to have ongoing and regular social interaction. Not only does your health depend on you making these types of choices, but so does your community.

###

Does this article make you interested in taking the Engaged Neighbor pledge? Five categories and 20 principles to guide you toward becoming an engaged neighbor. Sign the pledge online at http://engagedneighbor.com.

Contact the blog author, David L. Burton at dburton541@yahoo.com.

Comments

  1. Suzanne ChisumJune 22, 2023 at 6:55 AM

    I think this is one of the reasons I have such a love-hate relationship with my cell phone. I prefer to use my laptop computer in general for various reasons. I find the cell phone is invaluable for directions when driving and trying to find an emailed receipt when I am out and about, but I am not fond of texting.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Five Cities Named Most Neighborly in Missouri for 2024

Image
  Photo above: From a block party in Ferguson, Missouri. New to Missouri Good Neighbor Week this year was recognition for the most neighborly cities in the state.  This honor was based on points earned by participating in the week, city campaigns and proclamations, residents making nominations for most engaged neighbor and reporting acts of neighboring, and statewide or local prizes won.  "The goal was to further engage cities with Missouri Good Neighbor Week and we had over 12 pass proclamations and at least 12 that had organized city-wide efforts for Missouri Good Neighbor Week," said David Burton, community development specialist with University of Missouri Extension and creator of Missouri Good Neighbor Week. "We ended the week with over 31,000 documented acts of neighboring and five cities worthy of the title 'most neighborly city' in Missouri." In 2024, five cities were named the most neighborly cities in Missouri: Houston, Excelsior Springs, Sikeston,...
Read more

MU Extension Announces Show Me Neighborhood Art Week June 1-15

Image
  To participate in Show Me Neighborhood Art Week, Missourians  must register here online . The registration deadline for Show Me Neighborhood Art Week is May 24. Preexisting and new public art can be registered, but only new art can be considered for prizes. The location for this event is ALL of Missouri -- your front yard, your neighborhood, and your community. The online state map marking locations around Missouri will be interactive. If you have questions, please see the contact emails at the end of this blog. SPRINGFIELD, MO. -  University of Missouri Extension has announced the launch of a new statewide public art exhibit called Show Me Neighborhood Art Week. This outreach program strives to promote creative expression and public art made by residents, regardless of their skill level, as a contribution to the community's sense of place and residents' sense of belonging. The initiative was inspired by LAWN (Lawn Art With Neighbors), a grassroots program launched in S...
Read more

Missouri's Most Engaged Neighbors Honored as Part of Missouri Good Neighbor Week

Image
  During Missouri Good Neighbor Week 2024, over 120 individuals were nominated as Missouri's Most Engaged Neighbor, and 22 were selected for individual recognition. Our Missouri celebration also got national attention from NextDoor, the social media company, whose leadership team worked with us to create a post that went out nationwide on NextDoor on Sept. 27.  You can access it here . At that point, another 50 nominations poured in from across the state. "The nominations were of really high quality this year," said David Burton, community development specialist with University of Missouri Extension and creator of Missouri Good Neighbor Week. "Every nominee should have received a letter letting them know of the nomination and a memento, a Missouri Good Neighbor Week nominee keychain." The top nominees (22 this year) will receive a check for $100 and an official award certificate. In past years, there have been 50 to 60 nominations. But this year, the window for ...
Read more