Is Urban Loneliness a Myth?

http://www.printthis.clickability.com/pt/cpt?action=cpt&title=Alone+Together&expire=&urlID=32648542&fb=Y&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnymag.com%2Fnews%2Ffeatures%2F52450%2F&partnerID=73272

by robg • 18 years ago

22 11 18 years ago

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aristus• 18 years ago

It's two things: population density and transience. If you live where there are maybe 20 people per acre and most people are born somewhere different (cough Miami, Atlanta, Phoenix cough) it can be very lonely because there are few institutions that gather people together, and also there are fewer opportunities to bump into your neighbors.

In low-density, low-transient places like rural towns the biggest problem isn't loneliness -- it's how to get people out of your hair.

If you live where everyone is from everywhere but they are packed so tightly you have to get along, it's much easier to make friends. People also tend to spend more time outside their homes because they are so small.

lsmith• 18 years ago

No.

inglorian• 18 years ago

"No"? Why is this being upvoted? I'd like to hear his reasons. "No" is not enough to spark the kind of meaningful discussion I've come to expect from HN.

paulhart• 18 years ago

In a city it's hard to be alone (spatially), but it's easy to be lonely (spiritually).

thesethings• 18 years ago

Loneliness means so many different things to different people, so I'm not going give a "yes" or "no" answer here. BUT If the cause of your loneliness is being a member of a minority group (ethnic or subcultural), urban environments function as a great way to "find the others." (Though as the end of the article suggests, the Internet may relieve cities of the burden of this.) I could see how being an elderly widow may be better in Boca Raton than NYC, and in this case, it's still a "find the others" situation.

PStamatiou• 18 years ago

you call it loneliness, i call it peace and quiet.

Agathos• 18 years ago

I hope not. If it is then I need another name for whatever I have.

maurycy• 18 years ago

I find it hard to believe: "Studies show that loneliness is associated with morning surges in cortisol, the stress hormone, and increased vascular resistance, which results in higher blood pressure. They also show the lonely drink more, exercise less, get divorced more often, and have more family estrangements and run-ins with the neighbors. And they’re fatter."

I'm alone for last few months, ie not in relationship and without too many friends, and my live is much more better.

I eat much healthier because there are no conflicts of interests, so I don't have to reward myself with junk food. Also, I have much more free time so I'm swimming every day and I don't feel bad I spent few hours just walking and thinking about my life. My blood pressure is now lower than ever.

cousin_it• 18 years ago

Amen. That's a great feeling. Loneliness can give strength if taken calmly and properly.

ovi256• 18 years ago

One anecdote data does not make, young Padawan.

I have seen the same results elsewhere. Married men tend to live a few years longer than bachelors. But, as they say :-0, better to live a year as an eagle than ten as a mouse.

cabalamat• 18 years ago

People are less likely to be lonely in cities, not because there are more people around, but because there are more people you can connect with. If you have some sort of specialised interest or hobby that say only 1 in 1000 of the population are interested in, then if you live in a city there will be people near you who share that interest.

And with the Internet, you can find them.

Is Urban Loneliness a Myth?

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