Americans Lonelier, And Internet Is To Blame

I wonder if this is true. I don't dismiss it out of hand; it seems plausible enough to me.

A sociological study from Duke and the University of Arizona found that most Americans have only two close confidantes, the New York Times reported Sunday.

With the rise of the Internet, an increase in work hours and long commutes, and technology that discourages face-to-face interaction, the average American's connection to his or her community is weakening, the Times reported from the study.

Americans have been growing much less involved in their communities for years; neighbors are much less friendly with each other than they were 50 years ago. And, anecdotally, it does seem to me that people are tuning each other out for pastimes in which they are physically alone.

I'm not sure if this is cutting out unnecessary small talk with casual acquaintances or losing something important. Or both.

posted by Ace at 05:39 PM

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