Strong Connections

Strong Connections

One key, social dynamics narrative of the 21st century is the downward trend in stable, lifelong relationships of all shapes and sizes.

Folks are staying in romantic (and not-so-romantic but domestic and/or child-having) relationships less than was the case a generation ago, the average number of relationships maintained by adults across the wealthy (and thus, regularly captured in statistics) world have plummeted, and loneliness has reached epidemic proportions, forking-out into (and amplifying) other social issues, ranging from substance-abuse to depression to a general skepticism about our future potential for happiness.

We’re also spending more time on our devices, inhabiting digital worlds, engaging with fellow humans in less physical ways, and favoring superficial engagement (likes and text messages and shared memes) over in-person conversations, a shared coffee or beer, participating in mutual hobbies, or meeting up just to chill and do nothing in the same, tangible space.