Epidemic or Clickbait?

[Fireball]

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CNN and ABC have addressed this topic. So this isn't something undeserving of some critical thought. I understand that some may roll their eyes towards this. Yes, it might be a stretch or at least subjective. But, if we can recognize that certain beliefs are false then lets apply that same reasoning and problem solving to this. No bias.

And if you think this is bs then ok. State your view. My apologies if this comes off as pretentious.

I do think this is a real topic of concern, and it's not pretentious to want to discuss it. The links you provided have been deleted, but it's easy enough to Google and find similar research studies.

In May of 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General released an advisory titled "Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation" through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The World Health Organization (WHO) in November 2023 declared loneliness a "global public health concern." Both of these are on line.

Both The Lancet Psychiatry and a publication called Perspectives on Psychological Science have published scientific studies on how loneliness affects health and mortality. 

So it's real.

My family had conservative views but we weren't necessarily republican. Three generations in one household. A hard working and Army veteran grandfather belonging to "the fruit" and freemasonry partnered with a hard working and open minded grand mother. We did everything together even as we moved apart. Challenging politics was impolite to us as well. "If it's negative, keep it to yourself" was our lingo. 

I don't argue that men are more at risk. The risk goes up for each generation especially if they're lacking in education.

I do think that small-c conservative values helped to work against loneliness. Prioritizing family, community, the Golden Rule, all those good things. Having empathy for one's neighbors and staying on good terms, even if they voted differently. These days it sometimes seems as if family or neighbors on the other side of the political divide must be shunned and shamed. 

We've been taught to hate.

Years ago before we had the Internet I used to go and hang out at a little art gallery in my town. It was very amateurish, anybody could have a show, but it was run by a personable young lady. There was a big table in the middle of the room and at any given time there were likely to be a dozen people sitting around drinking green tea. It was a very low pressure way to have a social life -- you drop in, you wander off. People introduce you to others. After a while one of the regulars begins to stand out and you think "Oh, I could spend time with her." And then 30 years later we're still joyfully married. It's not like dating apps where (I imagine) you feel like you're in a job interview, being evaluated for suitability. 

By the way, there is a site called religiousforums.com where the moderators encourage discussion. Several people who used to post here are over there now. Despite the name there are a lot of atheists and non-religious topics. If you are made to feel unwelcome on the present site you might give that place a try.

Please post a direct link to an atheist Vs religionist of any sort on that forum.

[Belacqua]

Please post a direct link to an atheist Vs religionist of any sort on that forum.

I don't believe that the OP on this thread is looking for an "atheist Vs religionist" debate. 

He seems interested in discussing the loneliness epidemic.

[arewethereyet]

Please post a direct link to an atheist Vs religionist of any sort on that forum.

I don't believe that the OP on this thread is looking for an "atheist Vs religionist" debate. 

He seems interested in discussing the loneliness epidemic.

Then why did you bring it up?

[Ravenshire]

I do think this is a real topic of concern, and it's not pretentious to want to discuss it. The links you provided have been deleted, but it's easy enough to Google and find similar research studies.

In May of 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General released an advisory titled "Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation" through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The World Health Organization (WHO) in November 2023 declared loneliness a "global public health concern." Both of these are on line.

Both The Lancet Psychiatry and a publication called Perspectives on Psychological Science have published scientific studies on how loneliness affects health and mortality. 

So it's real.


I do think that small-c conservative values helped to work against loneliness. Prioritizing family, community, the Golden Rule, all those good things. Having empathy for one's neighbors and staying on good terms, even if they voted differently. These days it sometimes seems as if family or neighbors on the other side of the political divide must be shunned and shamed. 

We've been taught to hate.

Years ago before we had the Internet I used to go and hang out at a little art gallery in my town. It was very amateurish, anybody could have a show, but it was run by a personable young lady. There was a big table in the middle of the room and at any given time there were likely to be a dozen people sitting around drinking green tea. It was a very low pressure way to have a social life -- you drop in, you wander off. People introduce you to others. After a while one of the regulars begins to stand out and you think "Oh, I could spend time with her." And then 30 years later we're still joyfully married. It's not like dating apps where (I imagine) you feel like you're in a job interview, being evaluated for suitability. 

By the way, there is a site called religiousforums.com where the moderators encourage discussion. Several people who used to post here are over there now. Despite the name there are a lot of atheists and non-religious topics. If you are made to feel unwelcome on the present site you might give that place a try.

Which moderator discouraged discussion?

And why are you here?  I keep asking.  You hate the majority of us but still show up on the regular.

(my bold)

To blow Russian smoke up our collective ass?!?

[Fireball]

I don't believe that the OP on this thread is looking for an "atheist Vs religionist" debate. 

He seems interested in discussing the loneliness epidemic.

Then why did you bring it up?

Because he knows what he posted was a lie, and that's how he's going to deflect my question.

[HappySkeptic]

Loneliness is a thing in our society. Connecting via a forum like this can be positive, but isn't the same as a real community.

I believe that men, in general, are worse than women at forming close relationships beyond a small group of people. That can lead to loneliness.

Is the topic of "male loneliness" clickbait? Perhaps, but for those experiencing it, it can lead to reduction in mental and physical health.

[Angrboda]

[arewethereyet]

Loneliness is a thing in our society.  Connecting via a forum like this can be positive, but isn't the same as a real community.

I believe that men, in general, are worse than women at forming close relationships beyond a small group of people.  That can lead to loneliness.

Is the topic of "male loneliness" clickbait?  Perhaps, but for those experiencing it, it can lead to reduction in mental and physical health.

My suggesting the thread is clickbait is more about calling it an epidemic.

[Belacqua]

Is the topic of "male loneliness" clickbait?  Perhaps, but for those experiencing it, it can lead to reduction in mental and physical health.

This sounds right to me. Some people who want clicks may be sensationalizing it, and playing up the threat from those scary Incels. 

But there are still a lot of lonely people out there. And I think we can point to a number of societal changes in the last generation or so which will tend to keep people lonely. 

When the whole "post-modern" thing got going, people talked about "simulacra." About how parts of our lives that used to be rooted and real are now replaced by simulations. So we have made-for-TV politics, that don't change anything (or do the opposite of what the promised).  And on-line friends who won't be coming to your funeral. And of course an enormous porn industry, which is easier and emotionally safer than actually trying to connect with a girl. 

Not that any one of those things creates loneliness, but they don't help either.

[Angrboda]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/...ng-adults/