The Age Of Loneliness Is Killing Us By George Monbiot Analysis

The text “The Age of Loneliness Is Killing Us” is written by the author George Monbiot. Monbiot was an investigative journalist whose activities led him to be sentenced to death, shot and beaten up. He then moved to Britain and wrote an article concerning loneliness which was revealed in October 2014. This article led to the issue of an album “Breaking the Spell of Loneliness” two years later, which also tackled the epidemic of loneliness. In the article the author focuses on how our destructed society is only focused on wealth and fame. He also discusses how nowadays peoples only aim is to gain higher salaries, thinking that it would give them the satisfaction they desire. Thomas Hobbes states “that we are were engaged
Previously it was not taken seriously, until today when it is seen to be causing severe damage to the people of the isolated society. Wealth and fame is each person’s goal, making them work hard and become extremely greedy. This leads to isolation of the society. Team work no longer exists while competition is evitable, and each individuals highest good is to win. The youth no longer aspire to become hard workers or employees, but search for jobs that have very high income. For example, “British children no longer aspire to be train drivers or nurses – more than a fifth say they just want to be rich”(Monbiot, ch2 p126) . Loneliness increases the risk of death at a younger age. It also has great effects on individuals sleep and well-being. The mortality rate of the society increases dramatically, leaving negative side effects such as the stagnation of the economy. This outspread epidemic causes sadness, making our society a depressed one. Depression decreases the immunity of the individuals making them more subject to numerous diseases. Isolation is staying at home and not getting integrated with the society, this prevents people from exercising, socializing and receiving vitamin D from the sun. “Psychologists find that human beings have a fundamental need for inclusion in group life and for close relationships”.
The Lebanese people are known for being very sociable. They always plan gatherings and outings, yet each person spends their time using their phone or on social media. We may be seated in one room with our beloved ones, but this epidemic is taking over us to an extent that we communicate through WhatsApp rather than talking to each other face to face. Majority of the Lebanese parents are proud of their children only if they become doctors, lawyers or engineers. This increases competition between the youth, and also makes them strive towards achieving better opportunities, indirectly causing isolation. Hence, we are gradually moving towards loneliness and