The connection recession: why our wealth is making us lonely |
This year my annual Spotify wrap (Spotify's summary of my listening habits) was awash with nerdy podcasts, lo-fi, acoustic covers, easy listening and pop. However, it also confirmed that my Spotify account is not my own. Also on the list were Harry Potter audiobooks, Disney songs, The Fact Detectives podcast, and plenty of Justin Timberlake and Anna Kendrick duets from the Trolls movies. Thanks to my kids, my 'listening age' is 14 years younger than my actual age. I'll take it.
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What we listen to says a lot about us. Australia's most streamed song this year is Ordinary, a February release from American Alex Warren. And our most streamed Aussie song was Riptide, a breakout hit from Vance Joy. Both are odes to connection and relationship in an age of struggle - a recognition of our need for others in a tough world. They might also reveal that great invisible grinch: loneliness.
We might be navigating low unemployment and strong inflation, but we're in a connection recession. The economics of Christmas is about more than mere economics.
We lace the holiday season with curated social media posts, parties, presents and indulgent feasts. But amid the festivities, more and more of us are struggling to find connection. Reports suggest that while Christmas is considered Australia's most meaningful public holiday, 30-40 per cent of Australians continue to struggle with loneliness through the Christmas season.
In his book The Siren's Call, author........