The need for connection in the age of individualism



I don't truly understand loneliness. 
I know it's not a natural state for humans.
I know we need each other via, support, acceptance and connection.  I just have never been lonely a single day in my life. I have to seek out my much needed solitude because I am always surrounded by people.  

What about people who are in a constant state of solitude? With a population of 8 billion people, how can anyone be lonely?

Somewhere along the human story, men deemed emotions to be frivolous and unnecessary. In doing so, emotional health, wellbeing and intelligence were not prioritized. However, all of our mothers were right when they told us that ignoring something doesn't make it disappear. Every human has emotional needs that, when left unmet, leads to negative outcomes for not only individuals but the society those individuals belong to. 

Loneliness can hinder healthy development for children, however it also leads to cognitive decline in adults. Emotional injuries manifest themselves in physical outcomes as well. When a human doesn't have other humans to help them process life experiences it can lead to some confusing results. We need the perspective and emotional regulation that can only come from another human. We do not do life alone well. 

Unfortunately, the greed of a few has moved our society further and further from a natural communal structure to an individualistic dystopia. We all need the same people we are in competition with. So instead of us building communities we are safeguarding the little bit that we struggled to acquire for ourselves. 
We believed the lie that our power is in consumerism instead of community.
We believed the lie that money is not only real but necessary and it's a great way to show love.
We bought the American Dream MLM for $999.99 and as soon as we have enough people in our down line we too will be successful, rich and happy. Because we also believed the lie that money wasn't only necessary but also the key to happiness and in order to get money you have to be away from your home, family and friends during most of your waking hours so that when you do see them you have money because you also can't spend quality time for free.


Actually nothing is free when it comes to human connection in a capitalist society. Spending time with others means spending money (if you're doing it right loser) . So the broke guy who can't afford a relationship and a family, while simultaneously taking in patriarchal propaganda that tells him that a relationship and a family is his birthright and has cognitive decline because he lacks social interaction is probably unhinged.

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