The pandemic of loneliness

This applies to metro cities as I reside in one. In my experience, smaller cities are better, but not as good as they used to be. I have zero experience with villages where a majority of the population of our country stays.

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We are a planet of billions of people, and still there is a pandemic of loneliness. Nuclear families with the members not talking to each other, kids not having people to be with — they say that it takes a village to raise a child and we don’t have more than three people; nanny, mummy, and papa - in the order of time the kid spends with them. We can’t just let our careers take a hit because that is a big part of our identity. Hail capitalism. It worked. Just like the smartphone. People just trying to find some sense of belongingness or satisfaction or just to pass the drudging day by some sort of escape — reels, gaming, alcohol, drugs, etc. Nobody talks to each other because everything can be delivered to your apartment in 10 minutes or less — from potatoes to iPhone Pro Max Ultra Biggest Slimmest Bestest$^{TM}$ — and everything in between. You don’t need to maintain a relationship with your local grocery shop uncle (given that he is still surviving the wrath of supermarts and instamarts and has not shut shop) or your local chemist. All human bonds are optional now if you can afford the newer, cooler, tech-enabled solutions. There is even an app to book house help. 10 minutes or less, of course. So, the erosion of that human connection has also started. They tried the iPhone accessory to feel touch, but it hasn’t gained traction yet. I think it needs some time or better marketing. **

Silicon Valleys around the world are working really hard to make Black Mirror a documentary. Human relationships and the environment are just collateral. Yes, you can earn a lot of money, but at what cost? You can’t eat money. There is a limit to the happiness money can buy.

Diminishing returns

Dying alone in a coffin of gold vs dying with your loved ones around, maybe without a coffin. Take your pick. But make sure you pay your EMIs on time till you make that decision.

Jun 12, 2025

Bangalore

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