In this deep dive episode, we take a look at the loneliness epidemic. Its origins, causes and some solutions.
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YouTube videos used:
– https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9dZQelULDk
– https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UL9QiHYtajw
– https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5xqCEHzMKQ&ab_channel=GirlinaBlueDress
– https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekz7jrCmZxg&pp=ygURaSBoYXZlIG5vIGZyaWVuZHM%3D&ab_channel=CAMELOT331
– https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeZAjIm6QRA&pp=ygURaSBoYXZlIG5vIGZyaWVuZHM%3D&ab_channel=Honey%26Absinthe
– https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajo4-naCBbQ
– https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7twdKfhfANQ&ab_channel=Akta
– https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3okP9WdCUA&ab_channel=TheJapanReporter
– https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLyDGr5mCbs&ab_channel=TheQuint
Studies, articles and research mentioned in the video:
– https://ourworldindata.org/loneliness-epidemic
– https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0277953622004282
– https://www.cedars-sinai.org/blog/why-loneliness-affects-young-people.html
– https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8734589/
– [https://www.discoveryaba.com/statistics/loneliness#:~:text=Loneliness by Age&text=Here are some loneliness statistics, in a survey by YouGov](https://www.discoveryaba.com/statistics/loneliness#:~:text=Loneliness%20by%20Age&text=Here%20are%20some%20loneliness%20statistics,in%20a%20survey%20by%20YouGov).
– https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0277953622004282
– https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/2yzhfv4DvqVp5nZyxBD8G23/who-feels-lonely-the-results-of-the-world-s-largest-loneliness-study
– https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5b7c56e255b02c683659fe43/t/6021776bdd04957c4557c212/1612805995893/Loneliness+in+America+2021_02_08_FINAL.pdf
– https://www.americansurveycenter.org/why-mens-social-circles-are-shrinking/
– https://www.bmj.com/content/376/bmj-2021-067068
– https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0191886922001660
– https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2022-05269-001
– https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4873114/
– https://guilfordjournals.com/doi/abs/10.1521/jscp.2018.37.10.751
– https://www.bluezones.com/2018/08/moai-this-tradition-is-why-okinawan-people-live-longer-better/
– https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2018/04/30/japans-rent-a-family-industry
– https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/05/13/caryn-ai-technology-gpt-4/
– https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2022-05269-001
– https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4873114/
– https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/is-a-steady-diet-of-social-media-unhealthy-2018122115600
– https://www.bluezones.com/2018/08/moai-this-tradition-is-why-okinawan-people-live-longer-better/
Producer: Dagogo Altraide
Writers: Meehan Kathan, Piriye Altraide, Dagogo Altraide
Research: Meehan Kathan, Dagogo Altraide
Editors: Tanzim Uddin, Dagogo Altraide
This topic is not something I’d usually do on ColdFusion, but it’s something I have been intrigued by for a long time and an issue that’s very important to me. I tried to approach the “solutions” on a broad angle since I am not a psychologist or a psychiatrist, so do speak to a professional if you think you need help with chronic loneliness. But I hope I have been able to shed some light on this crucial topic! Be kind to each other and thanks for watching!
No morals nor principles
So happy to see you covering this- it’s such an important conversation.
I think it’s a no brainer why we have this crisis at this time. And since you’re sort of a prohet of Black Mirror paradox, AI companions will try to solve this, causing another crisis eventually.
I choose to be lonely not because I hate people but I certainly hate my country for not providing me a decent job so that I could get some respect in society.
In South East Asia, and especially in East Asia, culture also plays a significant role due to the emphasis on ‘Social Harmony.’
To maintain the status quo of ‘Social Harmony,’ there is a tendency for people who diverge from the mainstream to be shunned, as it is perceived to be easier than trying to understand the person.
I would rather be lonely than waste my money on getting a fake friend…
Hi. Anyone reading this, I crave deep connections with strangers. If you are reading this, don’t hesitate. Reach out.
I am deeply affected by loneliness as someone who used to always live with either my family or my roommate but is now living alone in a new country due to my job. It sure is tough to live somewhere you don’t speak the language (I’m taking classes to learn though) and cannot strike a small talk with others in daily life.
Age and social status also play a role. Previously, when I didn’t hold any position, it was natural for me to form friendships with some of my colleagues. But now that I am leading a team of several people, I have to be careful not to get too close to any team member in particular, or else it could affect the goal to be as fair and impartial as a boss as possible.
To everyone out there who is struggling to build and maintain meaningful relationships due to circumstances outside of their control, please remember to be kind to yourself. I once apoligized to an old friend for calling her and complaining about being lonely when I know I have so many things to be grateful to in life, such as a comfortable home, a stable and respectable career, and enough income to save for my future. I felt guilty complaining about what I lacked since I am fully aware of how privileged I am in so many ways…
Fortunately, this friend immediately replied that there is no need to apologize as she understood that while I have many things, that thing I want the most – I do not have. I immediately cried. My friend understood that I just wanted to be with my husband but we have to live with 12 hour time difference and will continue to live like this for 4 more years due to the nature of my job.
Please always remember to be compassionate to yourself. Even if you are privileged in certain ways, it doesn’t mean that you have no rights to grieve for what you do not have. I wish you – who are reading this – a beautiful day, wherever you are. May you find ways to be yourself’s best friend and be able to reconnect with your loved ones – someday soon.
Hyperindividualism, the death of the third spaces, the death of the family, postmodernism, death of localism and rise of globalism, extreme corporatist capitalism, death of consensus normality/reality, identity politics, etc… are just some of the causes. We are reaping what he have sown over the past 60 years.