Yuval Noah Harari, modern-day philosopher and author of the book, Sapiens believes the fact that human babies are completely helpless contributes greatly to our social abilities. After birth, unlike most other animals, newborn humans are fully dependent on adults for food, protection, and shelter. Thousands of years ago, it was nearly impossible for a mother to provide these essential items without help, so local residents, along with family members and friends would often lend a hand. It literally used to take a village to raise a child. As a result, evolution has favored those able to build strong social ties, because back then, they were needed to survive.
As dependency like this grew, so did communities. Social norms and customs were soon developed and as communication evolved and languages were created, social bonds became stronger. The impact of socialization has become even more apparent in recent years as studies have shown how social connections affect our health and well-being.
‘Blue Zones,’ regions of the world populated by people with the highest life expectancies, are known for their social interaction, which plays a significant role in their longevity. Blue Zone inhabitants tend to live in close-knit communities, where social connections and joint achievements are prioritized over individual pursuits. Many of them rely on teamwork to obtain necessary resources and complete tasks that improve the lives of the group. When celebrations are in order, the entire community is included. When a member passes, the entire community mourns. This dynamic provides a sense of belonging, purpose, and support that often contributes to better mental health.
Today, socialization remains an essential part of our lives, yet how we interact with others may look very different to our ancestors. With the help of technology, the world is more “connected” than ever. For instance, Mark Zuckerberg’s social network, Facebook is working on joining the entire world via its social media application. Facebook’s 2.89 billion monthly active users, and counting, provide updates about themselves, post pictures from recent travels, and share their thoughts and feelings in real time. As you could imagine, such information could significantly diminish the impact of catching up with an old friend over coffee. On the other hand, if such public information helps us stay current with friends and allows for quicker communication, maybe social media isn’t so bad.
Reliance on others, due to technological innovation has changed as well. Thousands of years ago, when mothers discovered a rash on their baby, they walked over to the local villager that had the most medical experience and the ailment was diagnosed and treated. Today, moms can upload a picture of the rash, hold a video consultation with a doctor, and begin treating the rash on their own in minutes. Thanks to technological advancements, information is easy to find on our own through the many search engines on the internet, food can be ordered online for pickup in seconds, and most goods can be delivered to our doorstep with a few clicks on our cell phones - eliminating the need for human interaction. And while each of these innovations make daily activities more convenient, we sacrifice many of the benefits our ancestors for fortunate to reap.
Because our fast-paced, ever-changing world, presents both opportunities and challenges in forming meaningful connections, it’s important to understand the impact of each and begin to embrace both. The potential benefits and detriments will differ person to person, but the importance of socialization to everyone’s physical and mental health cannot be overstated. Studies have shown that social isolation can have significant effects on our well-being, including the increased risk of depression, anxiety, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and an all-around shorter lifespan. Conversely, social connections provide a buffer against stress, improve self-esteem, and contribute greatly to our sense of purpose in life.
Socialization has played a vital role in human history and remains a critical component of our health today. Whether you socialize as our ancestors did, or embrace social media, those with the strongest social connections are typically happier, healthier, and live longer.
Photo Credit:
https://www.drfabio.com/healthblog/blue-zones-learning-from-the-longevity-hot-spots
https://www.phocuswire.com/How-Facebook-plans-to-connect-the-whole-world-to-the-web