Despite living in a hyper-connected world, where social media platforms promise constant interaction and hundreds of "friends" at our fingertips, many people report feeling isolated, unseen, and emotionally unfulfilled. [1, 2] This paradox, where the tools meant to bring us together can instead, in some situations, leave us feeling further apart, is driving an important cultural shift. Increasingly, some individuals are turning not to other people, but to artificial intelligence (AI) companions for a sense of connection and belonging. [3]
Three years ago, I flopped down on my couch, exhausted from a weekend of pottery classes, art exhibitions, and Bumble BFF meet-ups - all activities I undertook to "put myself out there" and create new friendships while living in Burlington, Vermont. The only thing I created, however, was a growing sense of frustration. After a stint in Brooklyn, I'd chosen to relocate to Burlington.
As a leader, there are many things you won't be able to share with the folks on your team-and that's just the way it is. For example, you may feel jealousy when you see them laughing and having a good time while you're stuck doing the budgeting. Don't fight these feelings; acknowledge them. Accept the reality that you're the leader, and that many times you'll have to stand alone.
When we perform in a way that is inauthentic, we communicate information to others that does not accurately reflect how we actually feel. For example, we may say "work is good" and "I had a wonderful weekend with my family" when we actually mean "work is overwhelming" and "I felt really sad this weekend."
A landmark article published last year by scholars Andrew Little and Rachel Meng shook the field of political science by demonstrating that most evidence for claims of a "crisis of democracy" comes from "democracy scores" based on subjective opinions.
I was beginning to come home, and I'd be alone. I'd wake up, and I'd be alone. I'd have a few days off in a row, and she was always out with her friends. The majority of her friends were men. I'd think nothing of it because I thought, 'My wife can have friends that aren't mine, and I trust her around men. I don't want to be a controlling husband.' She'd always be angry with me about anything. She'd yell all the time.