annual BSG conference - great program

I'm currently at the BSG conference and heard about fascinating research - in particular about the unconsidered use of the term "loneliness"(often mixed up with social isolation and being alone) (Christina Victor), the representation of older women (Sukey Parnell) and their choices of dress (Julia Twigg).

My own talk "Using constructive design research to develop online social technologies for older people" is later today. Here is a link to the conference and program.

Turkle's: "Connected, but alone"

I subscribe to Turkle's talk: "Connected, but alone" on TED. "I share, therefore I am". She gives plenty of examples where this situation happens; where we are together, but alone since we're only connecting through digital devices. I notice this very much on the train these days, everybody staring at their phones and tablets. I feel she's right about calling for a reflective use of technology and that we need to develop a more self-aware relationship with our electronic devices, with each other and with ourselves. We need to create space for solitude, so we can appreciate ourselves and are able to really connect and listen to people. See the full talk here

NY times Article: the high price of loneliness

This article sums up how tricky it is to measure the consequences of loneliness experienced with age. What does it mean to be lonely? "62.5 percent of older adults who reported being lonely in this new study were married" read the article here