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"Our Wire Mothers" - It's important for us to be careful that our technology does not supplant the human need for socialization.
https://www.staygrounded.online/p/our-wire-mothers
12 Comments
Candelestine@lemmy.world · 36 pts · 2y
Oh, he nailed it. Surrogate connection, that's what we're getting. And since it's clearly distinct from the real thing in several ways, it's only logical that it would be a poor substitute for irl connections. Where you can actually hug someone.
I know this isn't a novel idea, but the wire-mother analogy is a particularly effective way to communicate it, and this is the first I'm seeing it.
edit: To further add, we should probably remember that not everyone gets the same opportunities for healthy, irl connections, due to circumstances outside their control. Particularly when you're still a minor.
In these cases where the choice is between surrogate connections (say, an AI companion) and none at all (near-total social ostracisation) then the less-than-ideal becomes a little preferable to the shittiest of possibilities.
JustinHanagan@kbin.social · 16 pts · 2y
Absolutely. The essay does actually address that towards the end:
BraveSirZaphod@kbin.social · 13 pts · 2y
Having been the gay teenager in a rural southern town, I can absolutely affirm that being able to connect with other gay guys online was massively helpful to me.
At the same time, now that I'm in a much better place, I can also affirm how much worse it is than actual real-life connection with a real community, and I do think that that's something that's quite a lot harder to access nowadays since so much social activity has shifted online.
Semi-Hemi-Demigod@kbin.social · 2 pts · 2y
One of these things is not like the other, unless Boston is killing New York fans regularly. (Which wouldn't surprise me. My sister's a Red Sox fan.)
Candelestine@lemmy.world · 9 pts · 2y
Quite true. I interpreted that as an intentional introduction of a slight amount of levity, because the topic was so dark and saddening. As usual with humor, it was not intended to be taken in earnest. I do not believe the author thinks sports rivalries are as egregious as the other two.
JustinHanagan@kbin.social · 6 pts · 2y
I personally wouldn't judge any Yankees fan living in Boston who chooses to remain closeted about their allegiances and only discusses sports online.
pavnilschanda@lemmy.world · 9 pts · 2y
This is true. Even amongst humans, there's a concept called "surrogate partners", who work with sex therapists who help patients deal with barriers in intimate relationships.
nodsocket@lemmy.world · 8 pts · 2y
shiroininja@lemmy.world · 12 pts · 2y
With some families, and areas, this may be better
sour@kbin.social · 0 pts · 2y
am in this article ._.
PP_BOY_@lemmy.world · 0 pts · 2y
It already has
war@kbin.social · -6 pts · 2y
I_Fart_Glitter@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 2y
https://www.merriam-webster.com/grammar/healthy-or-healthful
radix@lemm.ee · 1 pts · 2y
Why do you say this?