America Is Leaning Towards Solitude by Amaya Vincent

Argument

aav123 — 2025-09-26 16:36:02 UTC

In the Anti-Social Century, Derek Thompson explains and shows proof that today Americans are more focused on the internet, and they are starting to lean more towards solitude every day, making it hard for people to have real face-to-face conversations.

"In-person socializing slowly declined." - Derek Thompson

aav123 — 2025-09-26 19:47:05 UTC

As Thompson has said before, Americans are starting to care more and more about technology and their electronics. America is feeling more lonely-which is significantly different from before in the 1900s. Before Americans didn't have a problem communicating with others, and the internet wasn't very big as it is now. Today, it feels as though Americans are going through an epidemic of solitude.

"How technologies of Connection Tear Us Apart" By Nicholas Carr

aav123 — 2025-09-26 19:56:57 UTC

Thompson introduces Nicolas Carr and his article in the essay. He states that Nicholas Carr makes a great point by saying how technology is ripping people away from reality and people are getting less involved in the real world.

Counter Argument #1

aav123 — 2025-09-26 20:13:19 UTC

While some people are not involving their selves in actual in person activities or socialize with people face to face, making it seem like they have no connection to any communities or people at all, they may be using technology to be in online communities. Those same people could also be using technology to their advantage and use it as a way to professionally build connections with people, networks, and even to build communities.

Counter Argument #2

aav123 — 2025-09-26 20:24:02 UTC

While Thompson argues that America is leaning towards solitude because of people always focusing their attention on technology, all of that may not be true. Instead of people isolating their selves because of technology, they may just be isolating their selves because of the fact they have bills to pay, jobs that requires them to be present almost all the time, or careers that are significant to their success. Having all of these problems can prevent people from having that daily in-person interaction as Americans are too busy to care for their selves, their houses, and their families.

Consequences #1

aav123 — 2025-10-14 01:35:48 UTC

“As we ate our meal, I watched half a dozen people enter the restaurant without sitting down to eat. Each one pushed open the door, walked to the counter, picked up a bag from the bar, and left” (Thompson 2).

socializing between other people is known seen as uncommon. No one really communicates with each other unless it's necessary. However, communicating face to face is no longer done in our free time. Americans rather spend their free time watching television, on their phone, or even by their self's.

consequences #2

aav123 — 2025-10-14 02:00:47 UTC

Newer generations lacking communication skills, professional and not professional.
Everyone feeling lonelier than usual
Dine out, door dash and uber becoming more popular
No one having more than 5-minute-long conversations face to face

Solution

aav123 — 2025-10-14 02:08:00 UTC

For America to stop leaning towards solitude, we must realize what the problem is, and our problem is involving ourselves in too much technology. However, technology is not always a bad thing, its entertainment. It helps us feel joy and it helps us express ourselves, but we must know when to stop. To fix this, Americans need to see how lonely people are becoming, they need to see that socializing face to face is something everybody needs once in a while. Socializing doesn't have the same effect if it's on technology.