Isolated Without Being Lonely
Division of Public and Private Space
Social Isolation is bemoaned as an almost bestial consequence of the recent pandemic. But even before COVID-19 hit, at a time when people freely met, ate, drank and socialized together, were we not teetering on the very precipice of selective isolation from each other?
Social norms had evolved around polite conversations and politer company such that “unpleasant” discussions were shunned and stamped out of socially polite congregations. People shied away from real exchanges that were deemed uncomfortable. Specifically, religion and politics were the two lepers kept out of speaking distance of mannerly company.
It came to a point where most people forgot ‘how’ to discuss these two topics, and others akin to them, in any social exchange except one: social media.
That is where we see people punching every word on the keyboard with the ferocity akin to a pugilist landing blows on his opponent with the added spike of a twist of phrase that can catalyze the intended quick and underthought response. This allows the antagonist to liquify the counter argument with an even quicker retort setting the stage for a series of responses and counter responses without any empathy, much less any edification flowing in either direction.
