Are we getting worse at talking to each other?

Some say yes, some say no. What do you think?

I think it is quite nice just to smile and say 'Morning' when walking the dog, or have a little chat when out and about, but i do think people are probably doing it less. I tend not to walk down the street using my 'phone, i think it is becoming habitual for most people, it's also quite annoying when people then aren't looking where they are going?!😶

I think with social media it's less that people are more opinionated (though I agree that they are) and more that the polar opinions are pushed through. Social media amplifies herd mentality because algorithms are trained to show people more content that they're likely to agree with. This means people jump on a bandwagon of supporting content but, more crucially, means when you occasionally see content you disagree with, upon seeing the overwhelming flood of agreement you tend to self-censor your own disagreements to avoid being singled out and attacked

What this means in the end is instead of having lots of little groups each placed somewhere along a spectrum having minor but productive disagreements to refine their own thoughts, you just get two big groups - one at each end of the spectrum - both reinforcing themselves but also each other (because as each group gets more extreme, it becomes more unacceptable to the opposite group, justifying a doubling-down on that group's own extremeness - which carries on and on perpetually)

I honestly think I am less inclined now to communicate, as life has ground me down the last six years. When I put rubbish out, I try and do it early doors and scurry back indoors. If I am on the bus I will have my AirPods on to block out, in town I will put in my loop ear plugs. I know deep down I am not the outgoing and happy person I once was, my mental health and life have made me this way.

That's a genuis idea but where do you put the stool when you go on the rides??

Thankfully, I did just have a wonderful conversation with a stranger! She was a maths teacher and she was a delight to talk to.

I am ashamed as when my mental health goes bad, I immediately shut down, close all avenues of communication, shut the blinds and keep the door locked. What this does is push people away, those people are the ones that you should be talking to when you need it. I have opened my Facebook back up, sent a message to a good friend, had one message back and sent another couple. I asked for another friend’s number, however it would appear he has my number blocked. I only have myself to blame in all honesty. I can only blame my mental health so far, but instead I have to take the burden and realise Bridges that have been burnt and Fences that have been broken cannot be mended.