Why do we all stay so disattached from our neighbors these days?

Question

In the past we have been highly social with those that we lived near. I know it was mostly for a means of survival, but shouldn't we as human beings desire to be closer to other human beings? Any thoughts? Is it all due to the technological nature of our existence? Has the internet made us socially inept?

Answer 1

Your last line nailed it directly on the head.

I am 37, grew up in the 80's more or less prior to computers. Sure the Commodore 64, 128, Apple IIe were out but no internet, no windows, nothing really worth anything to the masses.

Use to talk to neighbors all the time, go see them, play with them, bike ride all over town, talk to anyone I saw, etc.

Today at 37 due to internet....I don't talk to anyone around my house, no one when I am out, nothing. But I email and chat/answers to pass time and to communicate.

I myself have pondered many times to just ditch the computer and TV 100% and get back to the basics like when I was growing up. Sure I love all these gizmos.......but I have to admit...I enjoyed life much more back then compared to today.

Last time I just layed on the driveway to look at the stars for hours was when I was 16.......now I don't even look up. Thats sad.

It is sad and contradicting to think a machine that was made to make life better, faster and more productive has actually in turn destroyed the very life we had hoped to have more of due to this plastic box.

Glad to see another see's the same thing...good going.

Answer 2

The computer was developed during the world wars to crack encrypted messages. It seems that now we are fighting the keeping up with the jones' war. I wouldn't necessarily say that the war is over, we've just created a new monster. The social graces came with the baby boomers. Now we have lost meaning between the generations as to what is important, but based on economics it will come back eventually or the society dies. The biggest problem is the false sense of the comfort zone, which isn't even there. Competition is the biggest driving force of the economy and unfortunately business. But to answer your question, many civilized nations have gone to a idol that doesn't even answer them. Many civilizations have perfected themselves with some answer to some question and have based their whole society on it. Usually what happens then in order to keep the idol alive, they usually sacrifice humans or animals whatever it takes to keep the idol from dying and it was never alive to begin with. It was just human infallibility that kept it alive. People are probably spending needless time with the computer most likely.

Answer 3

I don't know that it was the Internet alone, although it has helped, although look at the number of people who communicate to total strangers on the Internet, and pour out their heart and soul to whoever will listen to them.
I personally think we need human contact and we were not meant to be without it, so many things have broken down, that I don't know how you put a fix on it or get it back in balance, its like the toppling effect of domino's, also we have been taught to live in fear and suspicion of everyone, which doesn't help.
Their is so much busy work going on in peoples lives, that we all more or less have become desensitized to everything around us, and this we call LIFE.
We recently started the Crime Watchers program on our block, and through that people have come to know each others names,
which is good,and we have a block party once a year, although I must say it is the same people who attend every year, we can't seem to get newcomers involved.

Answer 4

LOL, I see what you mean! Gosh I hardly ever see my neighbors. LOL I don't socialize with them at all, I think I arather be on the internet then do that, I don't really have an answer as for why. We should be closer to other human beings but these days is kind of hard, since everyone seems to have too many problems of their own and everyone seems to be pursuing their own interest rather then trying to get close to someone whom may be their competition.

Answer 5

All those answers are true but I want to add just plain busyness. I know my husband and I both work now and are really busy on the weekends at home. People are taking their kids to this lesson and sports. It is a very different world than the Beaver Cleaver childhood I had. My neighbors are friendly, but too busy to socialize. We socialize at work, church, and in our families. Some of my neighbors are just plumb crazy too.

Answer 6

Ain't it the truth? I pull onto my street and people just look at me~ no one waves or smiles.

I still smile when I drive by my neighbors, I don't care what they think.

Yes, this society has created separation of the most basic kind~ the close knit feeling of community, of knowing thy neighbor. Sad and tragic as there was a time where this closeness is what made our lives more rich.

Answer 7

because now you don't know when your neighbor is a crazzy person .... people these days have the disciplin to hide out and watch your kids for 5 years before the kidnap them and abuse them... the internet however is just a tool for good and evil these days its not why people hibernate in their homes ... it's something to do while you are home.. the neighbors thing thats a whole other story..

Answer 8

It has nothing to do with the internet. The more populated we become, the higher rate of thieves, and other bad traits in some humans. Its a protection thing.

Answer 9

No TV started it and Internet finished it. Anti-social America. The devil works to deceive and divide.

Answer 10

As we don't reach out to our neighbors, our neighbors don't reach out to us. This builds a wall of distrust. We grow fearful that something will be asked of us that disturbs our tranquil little cocoon.