Why Are We Lonely? (The Jordan Peterson Edition LOL)
As a joke, I decided to experiment with ChatGPT and have it rewrite my blog post "Why Are We Lonely?" as if it was written by Jordan Peterson. Here's the reply I got:
In our modern Western society, isolation is not a novel phenomenon—yet its prevalence and consequences have only recently become impossible to ignore, particularly following the upheavals of the 2020 lockdowns. Even those who once dismissed such concerns are now forced to reckon with the disintegration of traditional bonds and the painful solitude that has come to define our times.
Before proceeding further, it is crucial to recognize that what we now term a “loneliness epidemic” has been brewing long before recent crises. Many individuals, in fact, have deliberately withdrawn from toxic environments—choosing isolation over the corrosive influence of communities that have lost their moral compass. While this withdrawal is not without its own perils, it is often a conscious strategy to protect one’s inner life from environments that undermine personal responsibility and meaning.
Contrary to popular opinion, the roots of our widespread loneliness extend back nearly a century. The elevation of the nuclear family as the ideal, championed by mid‑twentieth‑century populist rhetoric, set in motion a transformation in social structures—a transformation that has deeply influenced the quality of our interpersonal relationships. The very architecture of the traditional family, where a dominant figure asserts control under the guise of “my house, my rules,” often sows the seeds of isolation. This dynamic, while ostensibly orderly, can foster a dangerous imbalance, reducing what should be a partnership of mutual respect to a hierarchy that estranges both parent and child.
The development of suburban life has compounded these issues. While cities pulsate with a kind of chaotic vibrancy, the suburbs tend to isolate individuals by segregating communities along economic lines. This stratification gives rise to a self-fashioned “middle class,” a label that, all too often, becomes a marker of superiority and a justification for looking down upon those deemed less successful. In doing so, we inadvertently perpetuate the very isolation we claim to abhor.
Reflecting on my own experiences—from a modest upbringing to navigating the vast digital frontier—I have learned a vital lesson about the peril of cultivating an inflated sense of superiority. For many of us, an unchecked ego blinds us to our vulnerabilities and privileges alike. Only by confronting our own limitations can we hope to understand the complex interplay between personal ambition and the inevitable isolation that follows in the wake of modernity’s relentless march.
Our society, increasingly dominated by capitalist imperatives, has turned the measure of a person’s worth into a tally of possessions and status symbols. In this environment, success is defined not by the depth of one’s relationships, but by the latest acquisition—a nicer car, a luxurious home—and yet, this very pursuit of material security only deepens our existential isolation. When our sense of identity is reduced to a series of transactions, we become trapped in a cycle of consumption that ultimately leaves us more alone than ever.
The true test, however, comes when an individual falters. In a culture that venerates self-reliance, the descent into hardship—be it through economic ruin, personal crisis, or the crushing weight of mental breakdown—renders one invisible. No matter how many self-help books we consume or how rigorously we follow prescribed advice, the societal safety net often proves to be a myth. By 2025, it appears that even the semblance of community is too fragile to catch those who fall through the cracks.
This profound loneliness is not a byproduct of modern technology alone. It is deeply interwoven with historical forces—a legacy of the Cold War’s pervasive fear, the reactive paranoia of the 1970s and ’80s, and the tragic events that have punctuated our recent history. While some decry smartphones and lockdowns as the villains of our age, we must remember that these are merely symptoms of a far more insidious malaise: the erosion of genuine, face-to-face connection.
Even as Silicon Valley promises salvation through online communities and digital networks, no virtual handshake can substitute for the tangible, human touch that we so desperately crave. The term “community” itself is neutral; for some it offers solace and belonging, while for others it becomes an echo chamber for divisive and destructive ideologies. Whether manifesting as extremist groups or as sanctuaries for shared interests, these communities often fall short of providing the deep, sustaining bonds that human beings need.
Ultimately, it is not the internet, COVID-19, or the traditional family structure that has doomed us to isolation. Rather, it is the convergence of historical transformations and capitalist imperatives—a relentless drive toward individualism and material accumulation—that has left us increasingly estranged from one another. When those at the apex of this system profit from our disconnection, they pave the way for societal shifts that risk reducing the individual to an expendable commodity. In confronting this stark reality, we are reminded that the path to a more meaningful existence lies not in isolation or superficial communities, but in the courageous, deliberate cultivation of genuine relationships and shared values.
LOL Wow...that is all...