Loneliness?

Many experts cry out that modern society is facing a crisis of loneliness. Loneliness has become such a social issue that the World Health Organization declared it an epidemic in 2023 and many countries; from Europe to the US to East Asia has placed combating loneliness a core policy goal.

Some commonly referenced statistics on Loneliness:

1. 61% of American adults report feeling lonely on a daily basis. (2020 Cigna report))

2. 79% of young adults aged 18-22 experience the highest levels of loneliness. (2018 Cigna study)

3. The number of people living alone has increased by 30% over the past 20 years. (US Census Bureau )

4. Loneliness increases the risk of early death by 50%. (Julianne Holt-Lunstad)

5. 1 in 5 Americans say they have no one to talk to about important matters. (2006 American Sociological Review)

6. Loneliness is linked to depression, dementia, addiction, and various health problems. (Multiple studies, including those by Holt-Lunstad and the National Institute on Aging)

7. Social media use amplifies loneliness and depression. (A 2018 University of Pennsylvania)

8. The COVID-19 pandemic increased loneliness by 30%. (the American Psychological Association and studies)

9. Loneliness disproportionately affects minority groups, including racial minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people with disabilities. (Various studies, including from the CDC and APA)

10. Between 2018 and 2022, the number of people experiencing loneliness increased by 16%. (trends from Cigna’s loneliness surveys and global mental health reports)

11. In Japan, an estimated 30,000 suicides per year are attributed to loneliness. (Japan’s annual suicide statistics)

12. 77% of South Koreans report feeling lonely on a daily basis.

13. In 2023, there were 3,661 cases of solitary deaths (kodokushi) in South Korea. 

14. Between 2017 and 2021, the suicide rate among South Koreans in their 20s increased by 43%. (Statistics Korea)

But what is loneliness?

Loneliness is a negative emotional state often correlated by the feeling of being separated from something important.

Ironically Loneliness as a construct is not lonely, it has a lot of brothers and sisters; isolation, alienation, rejection, contemplation, seclusion etc. As you can see not all its variations are negative. Some definitely are, but other represent states that may be considered the highest pinnacles of individual achievement. In a way the family that surrounds loneliness dives into the depths of hell, but also shares in the glories of heaven.

What this family of emotions does have in common is a common cause; Aloneness. However Aloneness as a concept is neither negative or positive. It just is; a description of an individual separate.

So what is Aloneness? It is a separation from something meaningful and it has two dimensions:

(1) Unity vs. Separation

(2) Self vs. Other (society or community)

This creates a 2X2 matrix consisting of 4 quadrants:

(1) [Quadrant 1] Unity with self and others

(2) [Quadrant 2] Separation from self and others

(3) [Quadrant 3] Unity with self, separation from others

(4) [Quadrant 4] Separation from self, unity with others

where Quadrant 1 is best, and Quadrant 2 is worst.

What turns this Aloneness into negative or positive emotions is a little more complicated. 

Below are the key qualifiers and amplifiers:

(1) Imposition (volition) of Aloneness

(2) Duration of Aloneness

(3) Expectation of Aloneness

(4) Intensity of need to not be Alone

(5) Lack of Purpose

(6) Environmental cues that influence Aloneness

(7) Past experience with Aloneness

Ultimately all this can be defined as a mathematical formula;

NA = β₀ + β₁S_o + β₂S_s + β₃(AF × (S_o + S_s))

where,

β₀ is the baseline or a starting point for negative aloneness.

β₁S_o and β₂S_s are the effects of separation from others and self, respectively.

AF is the qualifying/amplifying factor, which considers all the qualifiers/amplifiers, 

AF = w₁I + w₂D + w₃E + w₄N + w₅P + w₆C + w₇SN + w₈PE

I: Imposition (0 = self-imposed, 5 = externally imposed).

D: Duration (0 = short-term, 5 = chronic).

E: Expectation (0 = no mismatch, 5 = high unmet expectations).

N: Intensity of Need (0 = low need for connection, 5 = high).

P: Lack of Purpose (0 = purposeful, 5 = aimless).

C: Environmental Cues (0 = neutral/supportive, 5 = isolating).

SN: Self-Narrative (0 = positive, 5 = negative).

PE: Past Experience (0 = no baggage, 5 = heavy trauma).

So where does this understanding of Aloneness lead us?

Beyond its value as a systematic, structural tool for understanding Aloneness, this model provides some direction to future policies; dealing with the loneliness epidemic, qualifying policies like UBI and Social Security, addressing concerns around the dissolution of community, traditions and rituals etc.

1. Creating Conditions for Healthy Societies:

Policies or initiatives that combat social isolation, particularly by addressing the root causes of aloneness in all its forms, can create the conditions for more effective participation. This might include community-building efforts that focus on fostering connection at a fundamental, human level, integrating elements of dialogue, empathy, and shared purpose. For example, promoting local, small-scale public spaces and social hubs where people can engage in communal activities (beyond mere social media or online interaction) could help bridge the gap in Quadrants 3 and 4 (Unity with self but separated from others).

2. Volitional vs. External Aloneness (Imposition of Aloneness):

Encouraging environments where individuals have the freedom to be alone by choice, with the necessary social safety nets to avoid forced isolation, is essential for achieving the ideal state of unity with self and others (Quadrant 1). Public policies or initiatives that allow for "quiet spaces" for contemplation or self-reflection while maintaining strong, supportive social networks would align with your broader framework goals.

3. Unity with Self and Others (Quadrant 1):

The societal structures in the framework should aim to reduce experiences of separation from both self and others, which leads to emotional distress and social fragmentation. By creating spaces where people can feel connected to both themselves and others, you promote the flourishing of individuals and society alike. Practices that promote empathy, collective responsibility, and interpersonal connection could actively reduce the psychological isolation that leads to loneliness.

4. Self-Narrative and Purpose:

One of the ways the framework could be applied is through purpose-driven social models. Providing individuals with a sense of meaning and encouraging active participation in societal projects aligned with the common good (like government-led AI and automation) can mitigate the sense of purposelessness and, in turn, reduce feelings of loneliness. If people see that their efforts are directly contributing to the transcendence of society, it can help them move from a state of isolation (both internal and external) to a more interconnected, self-actualized place.

5. The Role of Technology and AI in Reducing Loneliness:

As part of a State-Led Frontier Technology Solution, consider integrating technology to design systems that facilitate social connections, particularly in areas where traditional community structures may be weak or fragmented. This could include digital platforms or services designed to connect people with similar interests, provide emotional support, or foster collaborative work aimed at societal transcendence.

6. Global and Transnational Implications:

As part of a transnational government collaboration model, incorporating initiatives that combat loneliness at a global level could be crucial. For instance, nations could work together to create shared programs that address the emotional and psychological needs of individuals worldwide, supporting the idea of collective transcendence. This could be in the form of global mental health initiatives, cross-cultural understanding programs, or technology-led interventions.

In summary, this understanding of Aloneness leads to practical applications for addressing loneliness as a framework. It aligns with  goals of fostering individual freedom, collective transcendence, and a society where participation and conversation thrive. By reducing forced aloneness, providing a sense of shared purpose, promoting connection through both human and technological means, and considering the emotional and psychological dimensions of aloneness, this framework can lay the groundwork for healthier, more connected societies that can collectively transcend.