Loneliness is a bit confusing. Not because it has negative connotations but because how it can be defined by and for different people. Loneliness epidemic is a new word because there are more research in identifying the people's mental state in a disconnected world. However, the world is not really that disconnected but a lot of people get lost in the modern way of meeting people. Anyone who can't connect in that way may end up being lonely.
But is being lonely that bad a state? Finding peace is one of the most common modern mantra. It looks like that people want the relationship or companionship which happens one way. It doesn't accommodate the needs of other people. It hopes to treat people on a drop of a switch. If only they could on and off people in their lives as they want.
This book is more positive. It brings the story of people who not only appreciated but used the loneliness as an opportunity. The stories of artists, philosophers, writers etc and how they dealt with their loneliness. It does lead to some negative aspects of life like depression, addiction which comes with it.
One point which might have been missed was that in all the stories, the loneliness happened by choice or by chance. And even if it led to some good things but everyone had that longing of being around people.
Humanity doesn't grow in isolation, which is why it is important that in a changing world, people are equipped to be a part of society in a better way where we can differentiate our condition as isolated, lonely or disconnected.
Peace
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