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Loneliness Of The Interconnected Analysis

Decent Essays

The media use used by countless people every day and has helped shaped the way America is today. However, Charles Seife in the “Loneliness of the Interconnected”, argues that the media actually has the opposite result and it actually makes society more distant. The media provides us the medium to present our ideas to the world and find others who support their very ideas, and because of this we are only interested in the opinions and facts that agree with our own. So, as the people in society choose exactly what they want to listen to, they isolate themselves from divergent ideas. And since we are distant, we are becoming an ignorant society simply due to the fact that we are stubborn to hear and be exposed to other’s opinions. Seife is a …show more content…

Life is a tough place where ideas and opinions can be smacked down by anyone at anytime, but because of the internet people can find a lifeline in others when they log online. However, not all ideas are constructive or destructive, but often when someone feels offended they look for someone else to confide in. Someone that understands them, relates to them, and accepts them. Seife observes in society that “The most potent weapon for fighting off uncomfortable facts is other people- a network of the faithful who are willing to believe with you (291)”. It is great when you finally find someone who understands you, when you are feeling alone. However, when people start looking online for support to do unfavorable things it can turn harmless quirks into negligent situations. Seife references Mrs. Martin, who was part of an apocalyptic cult and claimed that the “spaceman was going to come save her and her fellow followers the a few hours before the world was about to end (290)”. Naturally, this hasn’t happened yet as we are standing here today, but members of the group all sacrificed many things such as their homes, cars, and based on what one person said. This is why the internet is dangerous, anyone can share their ideas online and through the internet this process can happen at an exponential rate with even larger groups of …show more content…

However, it is those hurts that shape our opinions and bring us together rather than stay away from one another. “We tend to shy away from data that challenges of our assumptions, that erodes our preconceptions. Getting rid of our wrong ideas is a painful and difficult process, yet it’s that very process that makes data truly useful. (Seife 299)”. Seife is acknowledging that people are scared of rejection, and we would rather be alone with other like-minded people rather than face other’s opinion that test our own, because when we are wrong it is tough for anyone to deal with. However, when people realize that they are wrong, that is the beauty of opinions. People learn from them, but that experience is taken away from people turn to others who have the same beliefs or opinions as themselves. This isolates society rather than making us more connected through

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