Relating: How Communities have Changed in the Modern World

@reginalistener18

I would agree with the statement that our communities and neighbors are less connected than ever before. It seems like with the onset of technology, many of us retreat to our phones instead of socializing with those around us, simply because it has become out of the norm to start conversation with strangers. I feel that I have seen this take place in school, where many students will resort to their phones when in a class full of people they don't know rather than initiating conversation. One way that we can address this is by simply complimenting someone, which could lead to a conversation that would prevent us from retreating to our phones. By doing this, we can slowly begin to normalize socializing with others regularly rather than using our phones to look busy during what could have been an opportunity to build a connection. 

@reginalistener18

What an interesting observation!

I think anyone who was around before internet came into being or became mainstream would know the world looked a lot different. Agreed there was a great sense of belonging and people did help each other in thick and thin. 

I agree connectedness is indeed something missing. When it became easier for you to read up on all sorts of things, connect with people around the world, learn about anything, somewhere along the line, everyone evolved to be this unique person acquiring culture from a very different part of the world. When you lose common values or change to become a very different person, its hard to relate to the people who are physically close to you. 

When people had no choice, they were satisfied with whatever company they had. Now for better or worse, we have become pickier. Some time ago I came across a short video by a philosopher who mentioned that if you wish to be integrated in society, you can not pick and choose the people you want to associate with. A wedding will have people that you may not like or appreciate, similarly most social gatherings require flexibility on our parts. I think we have become less tolerant of putting up with some undesirable elements in life.

I think broadly, this was the fate of intellectuals from all periods of time but now this is becoming more or less something experienced by most average human beings. I think we need to make an active effort to stay connected and remain a part of local communities, it is no longer something we can casually maintain

@reginalistener18

@reginalistener18

That very interesting 

@reginalistener18 

I definitely agree that there's been a decrease in the level of connectedness within a community. One way to foster connections would be to set aside an hour or two every few days where you spend time outside, go to a park or any community spaces that you have in your area and talk to people, make friends, and find other like minded people who want to maintain such connections! 

@reginalistener18

I think you raised an interesting point. I agree with you, people, especially who live in a big city tend to lose connections with neighbors. From my perspective, I cannot say whether it is a generally good or bad thing, I would rather call a a natural progress of human developments. Nowadays people got more opportunities to choose whether they with to spend with others physically or not. Also, people might start to explore more about themselves using the time they once spent with others, so it is like more about 'choice'.  

@reginalistener18

I definitely agree; I used to live with my grandparents and they were good friends with basically all of their neighbors and they always helped each other out, whereas now at our new house we've barely talked to our neighbors since they always seem really passive aggressive or unfriendly. I don't think there's necessarily anything wrong with this because people shouldn't be forced to have relationships with their neighbors if they don't want to, but I think just remaining friendly and inviting neighbors to gatherings or giving them little gifts around the holidays could be a good way to build connections without being too forcceful.

@reginalistener18

life before the internet had a stronger sense of community and support. Nowadays, with so much global access and individualism, it’s harder to relate to those around us as our interests and values shift. We’ve become pickier and less tolerant of those who don’t align with our preferences. To stay connected and involved in local communities, we need to put in more effort—it’s not something that just happens on its own anymore.

@reginalistener18 🖤

I do think neighbors and communities are less connected than in the past. In my own neighborhood, people seem more isolated, often keeping to themselves. Perhaps, arranging community events in local areas, in my case, my local park could help counteract this issue?

@reginalistener18

You bring up a lot of interesting points here that I've never even considered, but I absolutely agree. I think that our unfettered access to people over the internet (which is an interface that also reduces our capacity for empathy, by removing faces and voices from the equation) overloads our brains and leads us to select people that are easier to get along with instead of trying to build connections to the people we already have. I'm not sure how to address the issues at a cultural level, but I hope communities can continue to hold more in-person events that appeal to others in the community, and prioritize community centers (like public libraries) to spur more relationships between local members of a community.