Zoom and Gloom

During our stay-at-home mandates, virtual meetings have become the go-to for continuing necessary and meaningful relationships, and perhaps even to get a little self-care. In fact, some of us may find ourselves overbooked with digital appointments, be it Zoom board-game battles or FaceTime catch-up sessions — sometimes, with people we barely had any pre-pandemic contact with.  Although today it seems as common as oxygen, these technologies and devices are not available to all of us, namely those in lower income households. Those of us who have the luxury of this access are incredibly lucky. We are able to connect during this crisis — a crucial difference from those who struggled through the 1918 flu pandemic, major world wars, or during times of other widespread disease outbreaks. There is something moving, empowering, and unique in all of this connection.  And yet, underneath the fun of a digital coffee date, or virtual Saturday night hangout, there is for me — and for many of us — an underlying sadness. At first, I chalked it up to the obvious restrictions placed upon us. “Of course we’re sad; we can’t go out or see anyone!” But as I continue to sit with these feelings, I’ve come to believe it’s about more than that virus outside.  As we’ve moved into a progressively digital age, we have, perhaps unwittingly, been setting up a hypothesis for decades: that virtual connection can replace human connection. We get lost on the interne...
Source: World of Psychology - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Tags: Industrial and Workplace Relationships coronavirus COVID-19 social distancing Social Isolation Source Type: blogs