Connection vs Attachment
There is ample discussion about the hazards of loneliness and the epidemic of loneliness that engulfs society today. The latest article I read covering this topic wrote about how those fifty and older are still operating well below the pre-covid level of engagement in their social endeavors. What gets lost in some of the discussions about loneliness are the differences in the types of interactions we can have that fulfil this very human need. Humans are a unique species. One of the things that makes us unique is that we learn to do most of what we do in life. The other species have their behaviors ingrained in them and tend to not have the option of choice. This is not to say intelligence is the sole domain of humans but only to point out differences among the different species. One is not necessarily better than the other. One of the downsides of this for us humans is that we can seek, and find, comfort in things that are not healthy and even distressing for us. This frequently mani