According to The Atlantic, face-to-face socializing in America has plummeted since 2003, and the numbers don’t lie. Men, women, rich, poor—no group has escaped this sharp decline. The steepest drop? Among those with no high school diploma.
I’ll admit, I’m part of the problem sometimes. I cancel plans for the comfort of my couch or send a quick text instead of making a call. It’s easier in the moment, but at what cost?
Socializing isn’t just fun—it’s essential. It’s how we share joy, handle life’s stress, and build connections that give us purpose. Without it, we risk losing something profoundly human.
I wonder if this is the fallout from smartphones, remote work, or maybe the pandemic accelerating trends that were already in motion. But it doesn’t have to stay this way.
Here’s a challenge: this week, pick up the phone and call someone you’ve been meaning to reach out to. Invite a friend over for coffee. Smile at a stranger. It’s small steps like these that fight isolation and rebuild the bonds we’re losing.
What do you think? Is this a new normal we should accept or a wake-up call to change? Let me know at jamesbrowntv.substack.com.
On that note, I’m James Brown, and as always, be well.
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