This paradox of loneliness reveals that while one may feel unseen, there is a profound sense of exposure, as if internal suffering is laid bare for all to witness. Through personal reflections and the narratives of others, alongside analyses from thinkers like Arendt and Berardi, this exploration delves into the complexities of solitude. It challenges the reductionist views of contemporary loneliness experts, shifting the focus from a mere health crisis to a deeper understanding of our intrinsic need for connection and the consequences of neglecting it. Human social needs are diverse, leading to an inquiry into the contradictions of our existence—simultaneously alone and together, separate yet attached. Loneliness stems from an unfulfilled desire for closeness, as well as a yearning for separation. Diane Enns posits that loneliness is not just an individual plight but a collective symptom of societal failure. Those who feel lonely are not at fault; rather, they reflect the shortcomings of a rapidly changing social landscape influenced by digital technology and shifts in how we interact and coexist. Enns emphasizes the importance of recognizing the structural factors—economic, political, institutional, and technological—that foster isolation and loneliness, urging a concerted effort to address these issues to preserve the essence of human social life.
