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I actually find the results to be pretty optimistic. We've become a more connected society because of our technology and it feels good to communicate with other

I actually find the results to be pretty optimistic. We've become a more connected society because of our technology and it feels good to communicate with other people. That's why we developed the technology in the first place; to shorten the distance between us. What's so wrong with that? We're only moving forward to a world that's even more connected, not back to the 1800's. Sure, we're dependent on things we did not make; we stand on the shoulders of giants, but that's how we move forward. We take the things passed to us, use and build on them to make a better world. It's ok to have some psychological issues when you take it all away.

CPLX 10y ago
I question your premise. Are you and I actually communicating right now in an emotionally meaningful, fulfilling way? Am I less alone now for having this exchange of posts on HN with you than I would be had I spent this time reading from a book, which is of course also a communication, if only in one direction? My instinct tells me that neither of these states involve meaningful (which I'm defining here as personal) human interaction, but I'll freely admit that's more a gut feeling than a scientific truth.
- cyberferret 10y ago
  I would argue that the minute you checked back in here to see if anyone had responded to your post - it became a meaningful two way interaction, and you would have received the added stimulus of excitement/gladness (that someone had responded) or disappointment/emptiness (if someone hadn't).
- croon 10y ago
  > I question your premise. Are you and I actually communicating right now in an emotionally meaningful, fulfilling way? I very rarely have that during the 9 hours I'm around people every day at work. Just because we're not engaging in that way right now has nothing to do with the medium, but the participants and the forum/context in which they are engaging. My 2$ is that the digital medium doesn't by design take anything away from how meaningful an interaction is. Emotion can be conveyed in a multitude of ways, most of which carry just fine over the internet.
- jeletonskelly 10y ago
  Sure it is. You felt compelled to write a response and to pose the question. It may not be personal, and not very meaningful, but it is communication that you felt some urge to be a part of.

CPLX 10y ago

I question your premise. Are you and I actually communicating right now in an emotionally meaningful, fulfilling way? Am I less alone now for having this exchange of posts on HN with you than I would be had I spent this time reading from a book, which is of course also a communication, if only in one direction? My instinct tells me that neither of these states involve meaningful (which I'm defining here as personal) human interaction, but I'll freely admit that's more a gut feeling than a scientific truth.

cyberferret 10y ago
I would argue that the minute you checked back in here to see if anyone had responded to your post - it became a meaningful two way interaction, and you would have received the added stimulus of excitement/gladness (that someone had responded) or disappointment/emptiness (if someone hadn't).
croon 10y ago
> I question your premise. Are you and I actually communicating right now in an emotionally meaningful, fulfilling way? I very rarely have that during the 9 hours I'm around people every day at work. Just because we're not engaging in that way right now has nothing to do with the medium, but the participants and the forum/context in which they are engaging. My 2$ is that the digital medium doesn't by design take anything away from how meaningful an interaction is. Emotion can be conveyed in a multitude of ways, most of which carry just fine over the internet.
jeletonskelly 10y ago
Sure it is. You felt compelled to write a response and to pose the question. It may not be personal, and not very meaningful, but it is communication that you felt some urge to be a part of.