It's incredibly powerful and an interesting message, but it's also pretty sad isn't it? To think that all this amazing technology at our fingertips which promises to connect us with individuals all over the globe, is the very thing that may contribute to our own feelings of loneliness.
If I'm honest, in a way the video kind of frustrates me, it seems like it touches on yet another possible label for our generation (16 to 20-somethings). And for some reason the collective descriptions for young people today seem to remain generally negative and constantly changing.
We've been labelled as 'Generation me,' individuals who are completely self-centred, concerned with bettering ourselves and forgetting that a world exists beyond our Iphones. Rizzle Kicks have suggested we are a 'Lost generation' where 'reality tv is morphine' and our attention is on every '#trend'.
Young people seen on the streets are described as 'yobs' or 'youths' with some kind of negative connotation attached to both of those words.
We're seen as unruly, wanting more from life than what our parents had, drinking, clubbing, taking drugs and all kinds of other things.
Technology has taken up so much of our time and head space, that there is no longer any room for reality.
And I realise, that it does pick up on truths about society, but it's also kind of disheartening isn't it?!
In the film, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, there is is this quote:
And in a slightly construed way (bear with me) you can adapt that thought to our generation, and question it:
Do we accept the labels we think we deserve?
I don't think we should. And I don't want to believe that we should be defeatist and accept this reality that is being perpetuated by the proposition that we are (and are becoming) a 'lonely generation'.
So a small suggestion? Let's remember to get outside of our technology bubble and just be with people! (I realise it's kind of ironic me writing this on an internet blog, but what-cha gonna do?).
It's cold and it's wet, BUT there is so much fun to be had if you make the time to go out and have fun.
I say this, because I've spent a long time this week inside reading over graduate scheme /Master's applications, reading about climate model processes (yawn) and feeling quite bored. Today, however, the wonderful Alesha and I headed out to Zumba. AND IT WAS GOOD. It was REALLY good.
I definitely recommend it to everyone, there were indeed a load of girls and only some boys (ok, only two of them) but that should not put you off (male or female). If you've seen me trying to do a 'booty-shake' like Beyonce, you will know that there is nothing to be ashamed of.
I even attempted body rolls. That's right. Hips like Shakira.
If you're in Oxford, come along to a Zumba class (I will happily join you), or wherever you are, make time to do some exercise, head out to a cafe or go to a social event. Chances are you'll surprise yourself with how much fun you have and guaranteed you will end up feeling less lonely and more like a normal (maybe slightly embarrassed, if you're doing the hip thrusting in Zumba) human being.
Right on point Jenny.
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