Digital loneliness

1.

The world’s population
has almost doubled
during my lifetime.
Where one person stood,
now there are two,
yet we feel lonelier than ever.

We can plug into the technological world
built around us
only through the glowing screens
of our individual terminals.

The more we want to be connected,
the lonelier we get.

2.

It’s a paradox
that social media feels so lonely,
even though
it’s a web of human thoughts—
a collective brain
carved by algorithmic neural paths.

Or maybe we’re all
just lonely people
reaching into the void,
hoping someone reaches back,
hoping to feel their touch.

3.

Tech is commodifying loneliness.
Minds tethered to our screens,
we drift away.

4.

Our glowing digital cages
make being in the real world
a premium experience.