Loneliness to Belonging Awareness: A Social U-Turn

Yesterday, driven by curiosity, I found myself navigating Google Trends and inputting keywords related to loneliness. ?What appeared from this casual exploration was intriguing enough to inspire this post.

Indeed, despite increased global awareness following the pandemic, search patterns for 'loneliness' revealed minimal variation, which surprised me considering the widespread social isolation experienced previously. ?Yet, a more interesting development arose: a noticeable recent uptick in searches for solutions to loneliness, hinting at a global desire for positive change. ?It is always heartening to spread some hope in our world, especially when a new year is about to start!

My interest in this topic is not new. ?In fact, during our last two-year journey at Fortuite Corp., which involved a million-dollar investment, we meticulously crafted a groundbreaking solution. ?Collaborating with some of the best specialists in sociology, psychology, neurology, architecture, and logistics, we have focused on an advanced emotional AI with two pending patents. ?This endeavor aims to address the complex layers of human emotions and connections and is scheduled for a grand unveiling in 2025.

The alignment of our dedicated work with these serendipitous Google Trends insights reinforces our belief in the urgency and necessity of our mission.

Let me share more about this in the following lines:

I will try to put some narrative on the first curve we will consider, the evolution over time of ‘loneliness’ word search.? In the early 2000s, as the economy burgeoned and unemployment rates fell, social interactions naturally increased. This period of economic prosperity likely contributed to a sense of communal belonging and potentially mitigated feelings of loneliness. As people were busier with work and socializing due to more robust employment opportunities, the collective attention to loneliness as a search topic faded.

However, the landscape shifted dramatically with the 2008 recession. ?Economic downturns often heighten a sense of isolation as individuals grapple with job loss and financial stress. ?This societal shift is mirrored in the Google Trends data, where we see a marked rise in searches for ‘loneliness’—almost a 50% increase during this period. ?This resurgence in concern could reflect the distress and social withdrawal associated with the global financial crisis.

Coinciding with this, the advent of smartphones, particularly the release of the iPhone, and the expansion of social networks like Facebook beyond student populations fundamentally altered social dynamics. ?While these technologies promised greater connectivity, they also ushered in a paradoxical sense of isolation for some.? The fabric of social connection underwent a profound transformation as digital interactions replaced face-to-face ones in increasing numbers.

Yet, when we step back, the overall trend in searches for loneliness shows a relatively flat trajectory, defying expectations of a dramatic increase. ?This plateau may seem counterintuitive, given the heightened media attention and the growing discourse on loneliness among influencers and celebrities. ?One reason could be the lingering stigma around loneliness, which in many cultures, especially in Asia, can equate to personal failure or societal shame. The reluctance to openly discuss loneliness could suppress active searches on the topic.

The spike in interest in early 2020 aligns with the onset of COVID-19, as lockdowns forced a collective experience of isolation, breaking the taboo around discussing loneliness. ?Yet, more striking is the surge in the summer of 2023, surpassing even the peak during the pandemic's strictest lockdown. ?This recent peak suggests a delayed societal reckoning with the sustained impacts of the pandemic on social well-being. ?It indicates a deeper, more pervasive sense of disconnection that lingers even after the return to 'normalcy'.

In contrast, the consistent summer surges in searches for 'friendship', which are easier to understand with common sense, point to an enduring pursuit of connection. ?This could also elucidate the unexpected backfire on loneliness experienced during the last summer rather than in 2022.? The year 2022 was marked by a sense of liberation and hope post-lockdown, a temporary euphoria after two years of social isolation. ?However, the recurring spikes in searches for friendship could signal a profound societal shift. ?People now recognize loneliness as a genuine concern, shedding its taboo status. ?My insight is that this acknowledgment will become systemic, potentially following the trend of friendship searches. As society comes to terms with the fact that a lack of 'real' social interactions contributes to loneliness, there is an increasing openness to addressing this issue for the sake of health and well-being.

As we turn our attention to the ‘belongingness’ search trend, we see a public eager for an optimistic resolution. ?The interplay between the trends in searches for ‘loneliness’, ‘belongingness’, and ‘friendship’ unveils a complex narrative—a society grappling with feelings of loneliness while simultaneously seeking pathways to connection and community.

Before 2019, the term ‘belongingness’ was relatively flat and insignificant in Google Trends, suggesting that it was unfamiliar to many and underused in common discourse. ?This lack of attention indicates that while the concept of belonging has always been integral to human experience, it was not a focal point of widespread discussion or research.

However, this trend experienced a dramatic shift as the world entered the era of the COVID-19 pandemic. ?Suddenly, ‘belongingness’ began to resonate more profoundly with people globally. ?The search interest in this term surged by 500% from 2020 to the present, signifying a collective awakening to its importance. ?This rise in interest could be attributed to the newfound realization of what it means to belong –or not to belong—in various aspects of life, such as work, community, and personal relationships. ?The pandemic highlighted the vital need for connection and the profound impact of its absence.

This growing awareness is a positive sign. ?It reflects a societal movement towards understanding and seeking solutions to address the inherent need for connection and belonging. ?Looking ahead to the summers of 2024 and 2025 and overall searching for friendship, there's potential for significant transformation. ?The rise of platforms and organizations aimed at fostering reconnection is a testament to this change. ?Fortuite's launch of Agoras is a direct response to this trend, offering a focused solution for young adults. Agoras, with its unique approach to creating communal in-person micro-events and a new and more responsible approach to social media, aims to rejuvenate the sense of belonging and community that has been strained in recent years.

As we continue to explore and address these crucial themes, I invite you to stay engaged with my upcoming posts. ?I will delve into the workings of Fortuite and Agoras, share success stories from our pilot market in Paris, and offer a glimpse into the future of social connectivity. ?Join us on this journey as we navigate the intricate balance of technology, community, and emotional well-being and participate in the conversation about fostering a deeper sense of belonging in our rapidly evolving world.

JC Artonne, Fortuite & Agoras CEO, ? December 2023

P.S. Please note that the Google Trends data referenced herein serves as an illustrative complement to our discussion. This tool, primarily reflecting English-language searches, comes with its inherent biases and is not a definitive scientific measure. It is not the groundwork upon which our business insights are built, but it is shared here to enrich our narrative. ?Rest assured, our analyses and insights are always grounded on multiple data points, thousands of reliable sources, and specialist analysis.? Additionally, I am open to collaborating on projects aligned with our mission, including initiatives under the Fortuite Foundation, which we have launched to also support the seniors facing loneliness.? Stay tuned for more comprehensive insights, and feel free to reach out for potential collaborations in these vital areas.