Human beings are social by nature and this is the reason why they are always reaching out to other people some of whom may be strangers. There is that innate need to belong either to a family or in a circle of friends or colleagues. Dr. Susan Pinker in The Secret to Living Longer May be Your Social Life establishes that there is a correlation between social integration and the quality of life. According to Pinker, individuals who have high levels of integration by surrounding themselves with the extended family, friends, and neighbors have longer life spans. The same applies to individuals who have weak and casual bonds with other people, which means that human interactions are pivotal to enriched lives. The analysis of Dr. Susan Pinker’s talk helps one to review the impact of physical interactions in an era of digital communication technologies.
Do you agree with Pinker’s research?
I agree with Pinker’s research since she not only provides actual findings from her experience with Villagrande residents but also backs it with evidence. The world that we are living in is becoming more strenuous by the day owing to increasing financial demands. These demands force people out of their homes and if not checked people can increasingly become alienated and lonely. However, this is not the case in Villagrande where everyone seems to know everyone in the tightly woven living arrangement. Pinker interviewed several centenarians who are always surrounded by their relatives and acquaintances. Giuseppe Murinu, for instance, lives with his centenarian wife and their two sons something that enhances their social interaction (Pinker, 2017). The four keep each other company and fill the emotional gaps that could be associated with stress and reduced quality of life.
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Individuals who spend quality time with their extended family seem pleasurable like in the case of Giovanni Corrias nieces. Pinker establishes that the nieces did not feel that being around their uncle is a loss of freedom but rather a privilege and their heritage. I agree with Pinker considering that being around family encourages an individual to be real as the family will always show support. One does not have to pretend or show much effort while around family since the family provides a sense of belonging. Pinker (2017) notes that weak or strong bonds emanating from physical interactions enhance a longer and healthier life. These interactions are associated with the release of oxytocin, which helps to bring down stress levels. Connecting with people then brings out a sense of oneness and belonging allowing people to thrive in all environments.
Changes in my attitude when I interact or do not with people around me more frequently
I like interacting with people since it is the main way of forming new or maintaining existing relationships. I usually find it easy and fulfilling when I interact with strangers who need my help and I make sure that I know a few and basic details about them. These interactions improve my attitude when I understand that I have made a lasting social imprint on another person’s life. On the days that I do not interact with people, I tend to feel alone and alienated in addition to feeling that I am not part of the larger society. In as much as these interactions improve my mood, I would not say that this proposition applies to all interactions. There are days when I would interact with people who have so much negativity that it would ruin my day. I try to avoid such people and only focus on the interactions that could improve my day or those that would allow me to improve the lives of others.
Analysis of whether social media can substitute physical encounters
Dr. Susan Pinker's talk establishes the importance of face-to-face interactions in a world that is increasingly using communication technologies in urban setups. Social media has taken the place of physical interactions with people now being to communicate in a global space within no time. While social media seems to simplify communication, it cannot take the place of face-to-face communication. Pinker (2017) asserts that face-to-face communication allows for the release of neurotransmitters, which act as a vaccine that would improve one’s quality of life. Physical interactions provide for the use and interpretations of sensory gestures including sight, touch, sounds, and touch. Shaking hands, making eye contact, hugging, and giving a high-five paves the way for the release oxytocin, which is associated with lower stress levels. It is easier to interpret ones feeling if the interaction is physical unlike in social media where individuals can fake their feelings. In this case, social media even with interactive features could not possibly substitute for face-to-face encounters.
Applying the information about “social integration” into my life
The information on social integration is relevant to my life since it establishes the positive effects of human interactions. I used to believe that I could just chat with my friends and family through social media platforms but this information has changed my perspective. In as much I can use the webcam to visualize the conversations; I would not get the same experience as I would get from physical interactions. Social media is doing more harm as it is eliminating the need for physical interactions and in turn reducing one's quality of life. Instead of using social media all the time, I plan to make contacts that are more physical with my friends and family. I will make sure that I visit my relatives and friends more often and experience the benefits of social integration. I will also try to surround myself with people who are positive about life and those that show real concern for me to tap into that positivity.
Reference
Pinker, S. (2017). The secret to living longer may be your social life [Video]. Ted Conferences. https://www.ted.com/talks/susan_pinker_the_secret_to_living_longer_may_be_your_social_life/details
