English level: medium
The 21st century is regarded as the loneliest century humankind has ever experienced, so maybe it is the right time to talk about this paradox.
The "alone-together paradox" refers to the phenomenon when individuals experience a sense of togetherness while being physically alone. This paradox is increasingly relevant in modern society, where digital communication and remote work environments are prevalent.
Sherry Turkle: “People often form emotional attachments to digital devices and sociable robots, which provide the illusion of companionship without the demands of real relationships. This trend is particularly concerning for vulnerable groups like children and the elderly, who may develop a sense of companionship with robots rather than humans, potentially leading to a diminished capacity for empathy and genuine human interaction”.
Besides, the UK and Japan already cope with this phenomenon at state level and have ministers of loneliness.
Prime Minister Theresa May: “I want to confront this challenge for our society and for all of us to take action to address the loneliness endured by the elderly, by those who have lost loved ones — people who have no one to talk to or share their thoughts and experiences with.”
words to learn:
prevalent (adj) - existing very commonly or happening often
attachment (noun) - a feeling of love or strong connection to sb or smth
demand (noun) - a strong request
to diminish - to become smaller, weaker, etc.; to make smth become smaller, weaker, etc.
cope with (ph. verb) - to deal successfully with a difficult situation or a person in a difficult situation
to endure - to experience and deal with smth that is painful or unpleasant without giving up
