![]() ![]() But I think that misses the mark, personally. One possible explanation for this shift could be a collective realization of the limitations of digital communication - the pandemic, by forcing us into isolation, may have made us more aware of the qualitative differences between online and offline interactions. Post-quarantine, there seems to be a growing reluctance to spend a lot of time texting, even among those who previously enjoyed this form of communication, leading to further isolation. Making plans with others has become more challenging, with cancellations becoming increasingly common. We can see this in how the pandemic has created lasting changes in how we socialize. The pandemic has amplified this effect, with social distancing measures making it harder for us to maintain our offline relationships, and indeed, even our skill at managing and maintaining those relationships. As we’ve moved our lives online, we’ve further substituted real human connection with digital interaction, leading to a sense of isolation and loneliness for many. Yet, this shift has complexities that further exacerbate the dysfunctional trends that have been brewing for years. We’ve seen a surge in the use of Zoom, Teams, and Slack for work, while Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Discord have become the go-to places for social interaction. Social media platforms became our town squares, our coffee shops, and our living rooms. The pandemic accelerated our reliance on technology, pushing us into an era where our screens became the windows to the world. The way we work, socialize, and even entertain ourselves has been reshaped by necessity. But in the face of the global pandemic, our lives have been further irrevocably altered. As I wrote about in Kill Process, there is an epidemic of loneliness in the world, and most especially in the US. I was already concerned about the impact of technology on social connections. ![]()
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