Longevity and Loneliness

A report from the Mental Health Council, published this week argues that modern market driven society has led to an increase in human solitude. Relationships are invaluable to our lives but where is this all going? Relationships are essential to cuddle us from human competition of goods and position in the market place. Sociologists have been argueing about the clash between capitalism and the human spirit for wellover a century. They argue loneliness destroys body and soul. The report tells us loneliness makes it harder for us to control our habits and behaviour. Cancer sufferers are more likely to die quicker without friends. Relationships are worth 'investing' in. Why? because they benefit us so get down the pub, get meeting folk, fuck about on facebook.
The difference between this research and older studies is simple. The classic studies of society and loneliness set up an opposition between the human spirit and the market place and argued that consumer society posed a threat to our deeper selves and our ties. Now the spirit and the bond betwen individuals have themselves become commodities, We are told to invest in relationships as we would invest in the stockmarket. We must acquire them as we do material objects.. These lead to health benefits. But why should we want to live longer? Early 20th century studies of lonelines and health by pioneers including Helen Flanders Dunbar spoke of meaningul live, not just longer lives. The aim of life today is just to live longer, we should munch on broccoli to avoid cancer, quaff pomegranite juce to avoid heart disease, go to he gym. We are advised to use all our time to get more time. Health imposes life on us whether we like it or not and at any cost. The report blames contemporay loneliness on rampant indvidalism and as such is an example of that it purpors to critisze. We must be social so we can avoid loneliness, why?so we can live longer?
Get a life, however brief, but make it a significant, meaningful one. None of us know how long we have. Choose friendship carefully and not for personal gain.