Connected

In a world where we are so connected, how is it that we can feel so lonely? isolated? misunderstood? useless? The fact is, the more we hide behind a screen, the lonelier we become, desperately craving some sort of acknowledgement from someone, anyone. One "like", one "retweet" is all we need to feel validated, appreciated…only momentarily, then we need more, like a drug.

We've exposed ourselves to be viewed — or at least our online personas — by an unparalleled amount of strangers. Privacy is no longer an issue, but intimacy is dwindling. 

Enter a room full of people. The room is silent; or perhaps the sound of a television fills it, while muted individuals stare blankly at their screens, almost oblivious to their surroundings. Conversation is a lost art, replaced by text messages filled with abbreviated words and emoticons, but are emotionless. They offer only what is needed: surface banter, without delving too deeply into personality or opinion — keeping a distance, both physically and emotionally — while ensuring accessibility is controlled. Constantly connected, but forever alone.