Stunning new research from the Institute for the Obvious:
A new study
shows that Facebook may help people feel connected, but it doesn’t make them any happier.
In fact, according to the research, which was conducted by the University of Michigan, Facebook use actually predicts a decline in a person’s well-being.
[. . .]
“On the surface, Facebook provides an invaluable resource for fulfilling the basic human need for social connection,” said U-M social psychologist Ethan Kross, lead author of the article and a faculty associate at the U-M Institute for Social Research (ISR).”But rather than enhance well-being, we found that Facebook use predicts the opposite result – it undermines it.”
Could it be that the "feeling connected" might be superficial and fleeting because Facebook connections are, you know, superificial and fleeting? Is it possible that a true feeling of connectivity migh require -- gasp! -- real, live, face-to-face interactions with people?
"Wired" ain't the same as "connected" -- wow, who knew?
