01st Nov2012

Are we “forever alone”?

by averydame
  1. Looking at Fischer’s introduction, I’m curious about thinking through the definition of “loneliness” versus “alone-ness.” As they point out, determining loneliness quantitatively can be very difficult (19). I’m curious, though, about how we define the affective experience of loneliness, and is that different from “alone-ness”?
  2. I wonder if it’s worth talking through what it might have been like to conduct a study akin to Ito, et al.’s in a rural setting. Such a move would suggest certain possible, and on their face obvious, changes (more F2F interaction, less need to use “tracking” devices due to local social networks). However, with the spread of large chains, that doesn’t mean such data is any less valuable. Is this as a result of neoliberal and capitalist expansion or technology?
  3. Turkle’s reading of how F2F conversation functions in daily life makes me wonder how she perceives the actual content of now just what they converse, but how. Consider the discussion of phone interactions on p.161-162. What parts of conversation does she consider important: non-verbal, prosody, or merely the content of their talk?  Could our attitude toward non-verbal communication not change over time–and more importantly, how does this change mirror earlier ones which we now consider normal?

Community – A grouping of people that comes together around shared values or qualities. This group may have religious, social, political, and/or cultural aspects, perceives itself as distinct from others, and members may share cultural or historical connections. May have significant ties to a given space. For some members, the community may provide social support, alleviating feelings of loneliness.

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