Sheila Liming explores in her book “Hanging Out” the power of killing some time. Sheila Liming examines the changes in how we used to spend time with friends and family.
According to Liming, hanging out is unstructured time spent with friends, acquaintances, or strangers. Liming says that although it may seem like a simple idea, he believes that being with others allows you to find peace and intimacy.
Liming says that as the world gets more isolated, we need to spend time with others, even if this means getting up from the couch.
In the age of Instagram, TikTok, and other social media, people spend less time with each other. They also spend no time in person. Using the iPhone app doesn’t count.
It’s a good thing I’m a radio amateur because I know that technology will eventually fail.
Sherry Turkle, a sociologist warns against the use of AI to combat loneliness.
Sherry Turkle is an MIT sociologist who has written several books, including “Reclaiming Conversation” (about the reclaiming conversation) and “The Empathy Diaries”, and she was concerned that people are turning to generative AI bots to relieve loneliness. She said that technology does not solve the problem, but rather adds to it because it undermines our capacity to empathize and appreciate real interpersonal connection.
Turkle is both a certified hypnotherapist and a licensed psychotherapist. She described it as the “greatest assault on empathy” that she had ever witnessed.
Fast & Furious popularized “Ride or Die”. Vivek Murthy is India’s Surgeon-General. He issued a five-alarm warning on loneliness. Vivek offers suggestions for combating the problem.
In an 82-page report, Surgeon General Murthy offers suggestions on how America can combat the loneliness epidemic. Murthy says that libraries and parks are necessary to strengthen social infrastructure. How can the public get to these parks and libraries? You can reach them by public transport and, wait for this, paid leave.
Murthy discusses the “reforming” of the digital world. The document includes sections entitled “Require Transparency of Data” and “Establish Standards for Safety”. You can judge for yourselves.
The WHO selected Murthy’s advisory, which should cause one to pause.
This question is beyond the scope of technology, and government will not help unless it is a matter of politics or public services. The government does not want us to become dependent on each other, but rather on the government.
Focusing on the basics will help you have more meaningful conversations with your friends. We need to share values, experiences, and spaces. Although the devices make it seem like the connection is seamless, our brains are hardwired to connect. For a community to work smoothly, we need to share space, experience, and purpose. The trip was not about the destination or the journey. It was all about us.
It is possible to connect with others through sports, academic pursuits, or religion. You can find niche interests, such as animal care or interest in animals.
In Limming’s book “Hang Out”, he says that “growing meaningful relationships and experiences takes active participation, a decision, and effort.” Turkle, the author of “Reclaiming Conversations”, says that “Face-to-face conversation is where empathy and intimacy develop.” “Conversations at work foster productivity, engagement, and clarity.”
We all need each other. Putting interaction first will pay off over time.
