@admin The fourth picture shows a societal, system and individual failure to bloody stop using phones when with others!

That is normal now n=blinds many to the toxicity of phones - they are destroying the cohesion of society.

My society is a zombieland. It is awful.

@NicelyManifest It is sad. I often wonder what it will take to wake people up to the reality around them. It is only a matter of time…

Thank you for your comment.

@admin For some it is now happening. Spoke with supermarket delivery young man a few days ago. Supremely comfortable talking with me. Kind of where I got to in my 50s in that sense!

But not so long ago he was trapped in a fearing strangers silo. He realised that it was locking him in and he wanted out. So worked on change.

Some of rejecting social media off their own bat.

But many who are trapped lose critical thinking, agency, connectivity in a real sense, and sheer joy of the moment.

@admin Loneliness as just one facet is at near epidemic levels I believe.

I spend vast amounts of time alone as a retired person but generally never feel lonely - because I know when I venture out I can greet and meet strangers.

@NicelyManifest I concur. My life, like yours, is filled with both alone time as well as talking with strangers when out and about. It always warms my heart to see a smile on their face, even if our encounter may only be just a friendly greeting. Especially those working the retail, customer-facing positions who are constantly being taken advantage of and treated poorly by customers – if even seen at all. Every one needs to be treated as we would like to be treated – fairly, justly, and validated just for existing as a fellow human being if nothing else.

I’m glad the article resonated with you.

And just a note to you and to anyone in Fedverse world:

Because WordPress is currently having troubles synching the most recent articles (as well as past ones) to Fedverse because they have the audio version of the articles embedded in them, please feel free to see more and share (including audio of the articles) on the main site, thedignityofman.net. I am trying to work on a solution so the posts don’t get lost in the transition. You can also check out my Mastedon account @thedignityofman@thedignityofman for the audio of the unposted articles.

Again, thank you for your comments!

@admin Thank you for doing what seems even here to be in sharp decline - taking time to reply in detail and meaning.

A friend owns a Jewellery shop. Does not serve anyone with headphones on - the presumptions of indulgent entitlement should long ago have been challenged.

Will finally take a look at your site. The title makes me ponder also the lack of honour and respect in public.

I try to do the Buddhist thing of always doing what I say I will do. Most fail in this.