Alone Together

Is Urban Loneliness a Myth?
While searching the internet for good reads on this topic I am exploring, I stumbled upon this interesting article. Although Jennifer Senior writes about urban loneliness more in the context of New York City, the theme is extremely relevant with Chicago's Strangers. If my study interests you at all, I definitely recommend you to take a moment and read at least the first page. Jennifer Senior does a very good job of elaborating on the theme of people living as if they were their own islands in a city full of other islands... (but with better metaphors than mine)! Backed up with research, her article is very thought-provoking. The idea that the type of isolation many willingly live in actually forms a bigger picture of community unity and togetherness is contradictory. Yet, I can see how that many be true. Then again, could this mean something more, something else? If true, could it mean we have simply normalized the lifestyle (the behavior) to the point where we are becoming nearly unaware of it as an issue? Is isolation an issue?
Although not something I will be exploring in my study, I definitely think that the idea of the Internet as something that is making people lonelier (or not) is also worth a mention. I'd bet that many of you reading this blog have at some point heard remarks made about how technology and social media drive us apart. I know I have, mainly from older people... mainly from my parents! But what is this idea of loneliness? Is it a product of society or is it a personal choice? Feel free to comment and share what you think!
Once again, I really, really, think you should take a look at the article: Is Urban Loneliness a Myth?