Emilya Taghiyeva writes…
I recently learned that an unusual service has been started in Japan: seniors rent each other out for chatting, walking together, shopping, fishing and other activities. One hour of such communication is worth about 12 manats in our money. Both parties win here: seniors get rid of boredom, value their free time and make a profit, while the other party gets unique communication. The service is regulated by the state and is called “Ossann Rental”.
This is a funny sight at first glance, but when you think about it, it’s a very poor sight. In today’s society, people feel so lonely that they have to pay for a simple walk or a friendly conversation with a “friend.”
In fact, this is not a problem unique to Japan. In many countries and societies around the world, social isolation and loneliness are increasing among people. The irony is that the trend is driven by the very technologies used to escape loneliness: social media, messaging apps, video calls, and more. They facilitate communication, but at the same time prevent the establishment of deep social bonds. Today, physical meetings have been replaced by virtual conversations. In short, technology has created profound loneliness.
Of course, being alone, being away from people, is a situation that can happen in everyone’s life. There are even times when the person themselves needs it.
But everything is beautiful within its limits, because prolonged loneliness causes a series of psychological, physical and social consequences.
In lonely people, stress increases, they become depressed, they withdraw into themselves, which decreases their self-confidence and self-esteem, and they even commit suicide.
The physical effects of loneliness are numerous: from a weakened immune system, to high blood pressure and heart disease, to insomnia (which in turn affects physical and mental health).
This situation has a negative impact not only on their psychology, health, work life, but also on the development of society.
It is true that there are still ties of friendship and family in Azerbaijan, but the threat of a weakening of these relations is becoming obvious. To find out this, it is enough to look at the posts and comments in the Azerbaijani segment of the social network.
I think that “Ossann Rental”, which started in Japan and has potential in many developed countries, should be a signal to us. Of course, in modern times it is impossible to live without using digital technology. But it is possible to take a middle path and use technology in a balanced way. Let us not forget that no technology can replace sincere human relationships.
So maybe we should take advantage of the “call a friend” privilege and make an appointment right now so we don’t have to pay for an hour of communication with a “friend” like in Japan?
