They call it ‘The Silent Epidemic.’
It’s no wonder, with the rapid development of new technologies, that humans are becoming increasingly more reliant upon ‘smart’ devices and less so upon the species who made them.
Japan has just launched the world’s first fully robot-staffed hotel. It seems the world is meeting our demand for less interaction. Is this what we truly desire?
Statistics state otherwise. The Silent Epidemic is a global, terminal condition that is eating away at the essential part of our make-up.
Relationship.
In my own experience, the times when I have experienced loneliness (thankfully this has never been for a prolonged amount of time) have caused me to become socially awkward when I do meet people. Those ‘Miranda moments’ are so awkward and sometimes hilarious. Like the time I wandered into the opticians. The woman asked for my name. Confusedly, I looked at her and questioned her reason for wanting my name. When she responded “I just wanted to show you to the table” you can only imagine my embarrassment. I dread to think what it would be like for those who have far less human interaction.
The BBC documentary recently aired, named in the title, exposes the tragedy that people from all generations suffer with the same condition. Their loneliness is eroding their confidence, self-esteem, social life and ultimately their future. Anxiety and depression has become an epidemic caused by the exclusion of our one main desire as humans: to love and be loved.
It broke my heart to see the University student who was trapped in her room for three days because she had nowhere to be. Similarly, the divorced young woman who was left in London to rebuild her life felt ashamed to admit that her only human interaction comes from volunteering at a monthly tea party for the elderly. Not that it’s something to be ashamed of, but this is something plenty of people can relate to. Myself included. Shouldn’t we be ashamed of that? How did we let our friends, relatives, loved ones escape our love and companionship?
When did it become the norm for people of all generations to hide under a blanket and sink into isolation? It’s heartbreaking.
Humans were built for relationship with one another. Being the most complex of living creations, we have the capacity for emotion, innovation, wisdom, depression; a multitude of abstract concepts that set us apart from the animal kingdom. So why is it that we are allowing technology to force us into a state of isolation.
You know how the saying goes — if you can’t beat them, join them. Some simply believe that we need to move with the current; ride the wave of the 21st Century and keep up to date regardless. But I say we need to make a conscious effort to preserve that which keeps ourselves genuinely content.
I walked into MacDonald’s the other day and was shocked to see that in addition to the new computerised methods of ordering, iPads were set up on a large table for children to use. Of course, these devices are a God-send for shattered parents wanting a break, but is it really necessary to distract those children when they could be enjoying an unhealthy ‘meal’ with their parents. If we condition our children to choose isolation, can we really expect our society to change?
The Guardian writes: ‘For young Britons, loneliness is an epidemic – and they are even more likely to fall victim to its insidious dangers than the elderly.’
Statistics in the 2011 census also state that 7.1 million people in the UK are living alone.
The question is, what is the cure? Lee Iacocca says “the only rock I know that stays steady, the only institution I know that works, is the family.” It goes without saying that this doesn’t need to be biological.
Look out for those in your community. The silent epidemic can spread without symptoms but it is not without a cure.
