In a May 2012 Atlantic Monthly article, Stephen Marche talks about how technology and social media are good at helping people connect. People are able to stay on top of what is happening within the business community and within their personal sphere of family and friends. While social media has enabled us to get or stay connected with many more people, many of these connections are superficial. We wonder, is social media making us lonely?
Is social media making us lonely?
Many more people are in single person households now. Computers and smart phones have enabled us to stay connected with people as we deal with the ex-burbs, and long commutes. 27% of households today contain only one person compared to 10% in 1950.
In 1985 only 10% of Americans said they had no one with whom to discuss important matters, and 15% said they had only one such good friend. By 2004, 25% had nobody to talk to, and 20% had only one confidant. In the face of this social disintegration, we have essentially hired an army of replacement confidants with huge increases in clinical psychologists, social workers, counselors and therapists to share our personal thoughts.
Many would argue that having a Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn account has helped them get more connected. They are able to keep up or reconnect with people far away or who have gone in different directions.
No matter what your take on the subject, take time to make connections with people. When someone asks you, “Is Social Media Making Us Lonely?” Now you have an answer. Pick up the phone, post to your social media account, react to others postings, get together in person and enjoy the human experience.
Team Building with Terrapin Adventures
Located between Baltimore and Washington DC, Terrapin Adventures is uniquely suited to provide a custom Team Building solution for any group, both onsite and offsite.Presented in a fun and creative way our group facilitators will lead your group through unique events followed by debriefing sessions to help your group not only work better as a team, but fully understand the strides they made during their team building program.
Serious Team Building partnered with Serious Fun!
If you have any questions about Team Building and fostering better communication and collaboration, please call Terrapin Adventures at 301.725.1313, email us at info@terrapinadventures.com, or fill out the contact form on our website. You can also follow Terrapin Adventures us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, Google+, and Pinterest for up-to-date information on events, trends, and other fun and exciting outdoor activities.