Are we human beings isolating ourselves in this modern society? Give reasons.

many be, in one way. individuals are nowadyas busy with their own problems and may not find more time to interact with others. In such contexts they be misunderstood as being isolated by themselves.. circumstance plays an important role here.

Well, it is a very nice topic to talk on. But, I am afraid whether I will fall in the desired channel through which the discussion is expected to flow, because I find both the answers – ‘Yes’ and ‘No’. My explanation / view: ---No--- See when you are telling, “As society is becoming more and more specialized…” you are accepting that the society was specialized even before. In India at least it is very much true. I do not have much knowledge about other countries. So, I will talk keeping in mind the Indian society only. Here, we had seen presence of ‘VARNAS’, which are nothing but four different sections (or sub-societies) within the mother (actual) society. In those days, life was very simple. So, 4 main varnas (classes/sections), namely Brahamins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras were enough. Please consider the total population in India at that time -- some thousands or at best a few lakhs. So, people belonging to a particular Varna (strictly not caste), could meet and interact among themselves. Almost everybody used to get recognition within his Varna. So, the feeling of loneliness (deprived feeling) was absent. Later with the growth of population, the membership of each section (Varna) started growing uncontrollably. Then the situation like ‘who cares whom’ came up. There came the need for forming (nobody formed it, better to say it evolved) sub-sections among each section. Thus, Brahamans were divided into ‘Poojaris’, ‘Upadhyas’, ‘Agradanis’ and so on… Vaishyas were divided into ‘Telis’, ‘Modis’, ‘Suris’ and so on… Each sub-section started to interact, marry, celebrate occasions among themselves with their group members maintaining a separate identity tag. And as a group they started interacting with other groups (sections or sub-sections). We should note that in those days people had to go out of their homes for entertainment, social gatherings, sports, and other activities. But today most of these things (except physical sports) can be done sitting at home with the help of TVs, Telephones (including Cell Phones), Computers. Thus, today, there is a major change in the pattern of interaction. If you take the aerial view, you will find that Engineers are interacting with engineers in their recreation clubs or institutions, doctors are interacting with doctors in their hospital common rooms, professors are are also doing the same thing in college common rooms. Thus, people of the same profession are interacting, and doing that more frequently. Now, there are lots of organized events or places for that – (say) ‘Diwali Dhamaka’ at so and so hotel, Summer retreat at Lonavala – People from different sub-sub-sub… sections of the society are going there, enjoying together. Again when they go back to daily life, they forget others belonging to the other sub-sections of the society and join with their sub-section members. Thus, I cannot say that any active (physically capable) person is lonely today. Those who cannot move out of home: There are interactive TV programmes, Internet chats and so on… These are very good pastime for those who cannot come out of their homes. Old-age homes are also there, that is a great opportunity for any olderly, lonely person. I have seen many persons staying in such places. Then how should I say “individuals are becoming more and more lonely”? May be it si some people’s self-imposed loneliness. One thing I must say: Formerly, we could watch that others were interacting with friends, lovers and family members outside their respective residences once in a blue moon, today they can meet daily virtually, I mean through Internet. I know an Indian man talking to his girlfriend in the USA almost daily through video conference. So, we are overreaching today. Then, how can I say we are isolating ourselves? Now the question is how many people can afford to do it. Yes, I agree fostering ‘Technology’ needs money. I think people are trying to earn more and more. However, everybody won’t and can’t be at the same stage at any point of time. They were never so. Karna was a friend of a king (Duryadhana), but he was a ‘Sutaputra’. Naturally, there was a difference in their status. ---Yes--- Only one point nullify all above. That is real meeting and virtual meeting are two different things. People who hold this opinion, can never be consoled because face to face interaction and virtual interaction are never the same. At this point I agree with the raises of this topic. I conclude -- it depends on the individual.

I agree that we are becoming more isolated in some ways, but human nature will continue to reach out... observe myLot, among other "community" sites. We're inundated with tales of violence, told we can't trust our neighbors, etc., so that we're afraid to open up to strangers. Our jobs are becoming more service oriented and we work less and less with others and more and more on our own. I'm sure there are other factors, but those two are what come to mind. People will always reach out to others in some way. MyLot and other online communities are seen as safer than the people next door and so here we are.

Individuals are becoming more isolated because we are a mobile society. Women do not chat over the backyard fence any more. Families are scattered across the country. Folks don't gather at a local food establishment or a church fellowship hall any more. This type of life style has created situations where folks feel alone, unknown. We must be in relationship. We are not an island. Loners become sick and in the animal kingdom, a loner is easy pickings. So my reason for isolation in today's society is the fact that our society is mobile.

I think you are correct. There is less and less human interaction at this time in society. Studies have determined that there is more loneliness in our society than at any other time in human history. Who sits on the porch and talks with their neighbors any more? Most people are lucky to even know their neighbors name. We don't socialize over meals much anymore. A lot of people just eat on the run. I personally think it's a very sad state we've gotten ourselves into.