Why Being 'More Social' Isn’t Always Better |
In modern psychology and popular culture alike, there is an almost reflexive assumption that other people are always the answer. We are repeatedly told that connection is essential, that reliance on others is inherently healthy, and that needing people is not just normal but desirable. What gets far less attention is the possibility that this emphasis has tipped too far. It is not at all clear that relying on other people is always useful, or that doing so consistently makes us better off.
One skill that appears to be quietly eroding in modern life is the ability to function independently and, just as importantly, to value that independence. Being able to do things on one’s own is not merely a fallback when others are unavailable; it is a psychological capacity that carries its own benefits. Yet this capacity is increasingly deemphasized and, in some contexts, subtly discouraged.
Social media illustrates this tension particularly well. While there is no shortage of criticism aimed at specific platforms, much less attention is paid to the deeper assumption they reinforce: that meaningful activity almost always involves other people. The problem is not simply that........