Numbers of those living alone increase daily; living alone is not lonely but peaceful. With the social network one feels connected with others even though living alone. The social network has become the refuge for the lonely and a way to eradicate loneliness. We try to avoid loneliness by buying fun and love. The efforts to expel the loneliness does not work--only temporary relief. We spend more time and want more stimulation, and become slaves.
Sherry Turkel, social psychologist, says that our expectations from technology are increasing and our trust on people decreasing. We are using technology more to take care of ourselves than to help us to relate with others. Technology has promised us comfort and freedom and instead imprisons us. We are using the technology to communicate love and friendship but instead of making us more peaceful we are becoming lonelier and confused.
Greek mythology has the talkative Echo and self-loving Narcissus whose inability to make their love a reality ends tragically for both. In the SNS world we have many Echos and Narcissuses who want to make themselves known with their selfies and self-praises.
More than any time in the past we enjoy more freedom but are we more free? Freed from the taboos about sex and bodily pleasures, are we less lonely? Fast food, booze, games, drama, gambling, lottery, many temptations but are we more fulfilled? With the advance of technology we are more comfortable but are we less tired?
Unfortunately, our quality of life is decreasing, our thinking more superficial, and our memories poorer. In the digital age we have anxiety disorders, obsessions and depression, that many have to deal with. In Korea we have large numbers who have no reason to live, more communication but more alone, more things to enjoy but lonelier.
Love for a Christian is not something that is instantaneous, but takes a great deal of effort. God takes the initiative and is leading the couple. Purity is an important virtue of those marrying. She mentions in conclusion the large number of married people who are entering chatting rooms. What should Christians make of this? Aren't our neighbors those that are the closest to us- family members? Aren't they the ones we want to communicate with at a deep level? She concludes the article with the words: "Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, so that you may judge what is God's will, what is good, pleasing and perfect" (Rom. 12:2).
