“The Cult of Busyness” and the lonely society
// July 6th, 2010 // Uncategorized
The Mental Health Foundation recently published its report “The Lonely Society”, available here. It is well worth a read as it is a really good analysis of the combined impacts of the way we work today and the way we socialise via electronic means. It appears that – both at home and at work – we are all to busy contacting one another to actually communicate.
One paragraph struck a chord with me particularly so I quote it in full:
“…socialising and investing time in social ties are generally seen as less important than “productive” activities like work. Writing about loneliness in 21st century America, Harvard professors of psychiatry Jacqueline Olds and Richard Schwartz refer to the ‘cult of busyness’ that has become a modern badge of honour. They suggest that we face so much pressure to be ‘productive’ that we neglect ‘unnecessary’ relationships that are as vital as food and water. Long working hours are frequently cited as having a negative impact on family life. For many people, working long hours is a necessity to support their families, rather than a choice. “
