That is not an easy question to answer is it? We're all plugged into some things and some people and not so much for others. Some we like to bond in-person, some in a group and some over the phone. And most over social media! When you say you are friends with someone, asking 'friend friend or Facebook friend?' has become common!
None of this means we are connected to the people and committed to the bonds we have created. And so many we go through more as a burden. I find myself grimacing when some people call or text- I know I have to answer, if not right away in a little bit, but I don't really want to! And others it is so easy to lose touch, especially if you have nothing in common, beyond whatever classes we were taking or common neighborhood or dorm situation ended.
Some of us are lucky to have that one friend from school or college who has stuck with us, in spite of who we are and have become! And then there are those groups who get together for Friday drinks or Thursday book club or even go for trips to exotic places. But how connected are we to those people? Would we call them in our time of need? Do we really care about their endless stories about their kids or cats or career woes? Social media allows us to be as dialed out as we want, you can be a part of a group, or several groups and really not say anything at all!
With the world in lock down now, we are all scrambling to find ways to connect with friends and family...but as we talk about hanging out with family via virtual means, we also realize, we're doing things we didn't really do during normal times! We're doing virtual parties and family reunions, but did we really do that otherwise? And do we really feel connected to the people? Or are we looking for ways to assure ourselves that we are all indeed still amid humanity and that we're not alone! How connected will we stay with these people once 'regular' life starts?? I don't know and I know this is something I will always wonder about! So really, how connected are we?