A Lonely Nation? by jonathancho

Thanks for your comments! 

You are right that in about 15 years or so, a mobile/technology-literate generation will become the "elderly" generation and their familiarity with communication technology will help to bridge the gap between the old and the young (and those slightly more in tune with technological advancements). At the same time, we cannot ignore the fact that there are gradations to techno-literacy. For instance, as we see a certain demographic 'catch-on' to and saturate the use of Facebook, we also see the phenomenon of the migration of an entire generation to other social media outlets such as Instagram, Snapchat, or Telegram. There are divides even with the techno-literate community and with divides, there is always the propensity for disconnect and lack of communication - "you aren't speaking my language (anymore)".

In the next 15 years however, it is crucial for us to consider whether we are contributing to the fault-lines of a "disconnect" between generations and what we may be further perpetuating in our society, notwithstanding the obvious advantages that online communication/advanced technology brings to all our lives.

In Singapore, online communication, calls, texting, etc. undoubtedly helps us to keep closely in touch given our busy schedules. I, for one, benefit hugely benefit from keeping in touch with friends/family who are working or studying overseas. We do not take this for granted, but we must also be wise to ask ourselves if this convenience and advantage comes with a cost, and if so, whether we as a society, as prepared to bear that cost.

Let us not forget that Singapore is a relatively small country and it is not unreasonable to expect one to travel the distance to meet face-to-face - have we placed "convenience" on a pedestal and relegated our interaction with loved ones to a mere mishmash of pixilated images on a screen? Might we have let slip of the reality that we, in Singapore, are actually not as 'distanced' from one another as we imagine? Have we by doing so, unwittingly subjected our "connection" to others to the (sometimes) undependable networks/WiFi connections? These are questions we must answer and come to terms with as the society progresses towards 2030.

As it is, by way of anecdotal evidence, a fair number of Singaporeans see little need to travel outside the Eastern or Western parts of the country (for example), even for social occasions. The exception might be during "Chinese New Year", where it is not uncommon to hear of families traveling across the country to visit relatives. Even then, the imperative of such annual visitations is slowly being lost on the younger generation, as they (like you mentioned), "may be more inclined to online communications", and see little or no need to travel the distance to simply see someone in person. This is despite the fact that it takes only about less than an hour to travel from end to end.

Your second question/comment traverses into issues relating to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and it might be more appropriate to address this point in another forum, but for present purposes, it suffices to say that such 'care-giving robots' have already been introduced into our SIngaporean society - in the form of an iPad in the hands of a toddler during dinner time (or the rest of the day) while Mommy and Daddy have a "time out"; in the form of a Smart TV for the elderly grandparent whose only experience of 'touch' the entire day (or week) may be in the form of the rubberized contours of a remote control or silky touch screen of the TV set.

Will this help cushion our sense of loneliness? Yes, perhaps. More likely than not, in fact. I personally experience the intensely numbing effect of the computer screen/TV set on my own sense of loneliness, from time to time. Cushioned or not - it certainly takes loneliness away and if it serves that purpose, then all is well. But is that really our end goal? I suspect that we need to be asking deeper questions.

Are we content with such caregiving robots cushioning our experience of loneliness as we move towards 2030?

The answer to this, I'm afraid, might be much more varied. And if so, we should start listening to what one another have to say about this.