We all know by now that the UK Government has strongly recommend the practise of distancing and isolation, to gain control of the spread of the contagion. Mass media has taken up the cry of self-isolation and social distancing. Somehow managing to mix an even deeper pall of doom and gloom across an already dreary media narrative. Though I rarely pay attention to the mass media and never any respect, something about those terms bother me.
Human beings are social creatures. Much of our lives are experienced in the company of others, and this has probably been so for most of our 300,000 year lineage. It is exceptional to find a member or group of our species that has not integrated in some manner with a wider community. Communities are core to how we experience our lives. We regard them, are regarded by them, value and abhor them. Our experiences and interactions are the threads with which we weave our stories.
Much of this has been based on physical presence. There are the great traditions of going down the pub, popping out for coffee, going to lunch. Before the call to distance ourselves, these types of physical conventions were how we structured our social natures. Even in our Internet enabled modernity, physical presence is still prevalent for the many. However, the true connection between an individual and a community is a commonality of purpose, affinity of thought and resonance of sprit. From ancient rock art to modern flash mobs, we can see evidence of this.
The phrases that we have adopted to describe the actions which our leaders have deemed necessary, are contrary to the human necessity for community. We are asked to self-isolate and socially distance ourselves. Yet, this is not really what is being asked of us. We are not being asked to isolate ourselves from our community. We are not being asked to distance ourselves from our community.
We are being asked to physically separate ourselves within our communities. We are being asked to be considerate to the most vulnerable members of our communities.
You can not isolate or distance yourself from society and then be asked to consider that society. The very nature of isolation and distancing, detaches you from the society that you are being asked to protect.
The sprit must be explicit within the wording. Human beings are strange creatures. Words hold emotion and meaning to us which transcend a mere lexeme. The incorrect phrasing does not allow most humans to connect the sprit of the two thoughts behind the phrases. Encouraging the detachment from society as we are, is it any wonder the inconsideration exhibited by groups of our communities, are having a negative impact. The vulnerable and the very people who are trying to fight this contagion are being harmed. When the resounding message can be easily misconstrued in our subconscious, is it time to change the message?
Changing the wording allows the message that is being promoted to be much clearer. It allows a cohesion of thought between statement and emotion which can be used to ensure that each of us is able to feel part of a greater effort. Reducing the ignorance, with which large numbers of our community are treating the urgent advice, is vital.
We should be encouraging our communities to be physically distant while continuing social contact.
For the first time in history we have the apparatus of cheap and universal visual communication at our disposal. Instead of using this to promote evermore desperate advertising or increasingly partisan and hysterical reporting, we should be encouraging people to connect.
There is no need for any of us to isolate or distance ourselves from our communities when physically removing ourselves from it.
- DO physically distance yourselves from people you have no reason to be around.
- DO physically isolate yourself if suffering from symptoms.
- DO reach out to your local community and offer support to those in need.
- DO reach out to your immediate social circle and strengthen those bonds.
- DO NOT consider yourself alone and uncared for.
I believe these are the real words and messages we need to be promoting.
For my part, for anyone who needs a friendly voice, please reach out.
I, as many others, will answer.
khushil.io 