Lonely nation

[lovuian]

http://www.cnn.com/2006/HEALTH/07/31/lonely.nation.ap/index.html?section=cnn_health

NEW YORK (AP) -- In bleak nursing homes and vibrant college dorms, in crowded cities and spread-out suburbs, Americans confront an ailment with no single cause or cure.

Some call it social isolation or disconnectedness. Often, it's just plain loneliness.

An age-old ailment, to be sure, and yet by various measures -- census figures on one-person households, a new study documenting Americans' shrinking circle of intimate friends -- it is worsening.

It seems ironic, even to those who are affected. The nation has never been more populous, soon to reach the 300 million mark. And it has never been more connected -- by phone, e-mail, instant message, text message, and on and on.

Yet so many are alone in the crowd
more...

Too Busy Not enough time and a country that fosters this ... We don't talk to one another any more...

[Viva_La_Revolution]

1. Frankly, I'm enjoying it...

after growing up in a small town where everyone knew my whole family's business... I find it refreshing that my neighbors in the city have no idea what I had for breakfast, or who I had breakfast with ;) .

I might think differently though, when I'm cooped up in a nursing home with no visitors but my kids once a month, if they remember...

[Swamp Rat]

2. Gated communities, long driveways, suburban enclaves, big cars with

tinted windows, television... Americans are disconnected from each other. It's enough to make one...