Social Impact of Hyperconnectivity

Abstract

I remember living in a quiet suburb where middle-class working families resided 12 next door to each other. Our house was separated from the side streets; thus, our 13 immediate neighbors are not adjacent. I remember the social interactions of my 14 mother, who was never overtly friendly or social, yet kind and considerate. She 15 never intruded on other peoples’ businesses and did not care much for the gossip in 16 that neighborhood, where social status is considered a visual presence. When my 17 mother passed away recently, all my neighbors could recall was her quiet support 18 and friendship, and how connected the neighbors were with her. I knew my mother 19 as an introverted individual, who did not prefer crowds, but all my neighbors saw 20 was the connections, and the networks she built or was in.