The Mechanics of Depression ― The Persuit of Self-Awareness Amid Nature’s Disequilbrium

R3 Files Podcast ― The Success of Failure

The notion of solitude has profoundly influenced many people in their ongoing recovery, from depression at a deeply spiritual level (including myself). Paradoxically though, the modern world makes it increasingly difficult to find solitude because it has embedded loneliness within the very fabric of society, hence making it even harder to find a meaningful sense of solitude. By its very nature, modern society has become a more lonely place, thus creating blurring boundaries between those who prefer solitude and those that choose solitude, thereby proliferating overall cases of depression.

To expand on this proposition of 'choosing solitude' to shape one’s perspective of depression, in today’s installment I will be introducing a school of thought, which in English literature at least, represents one of the most instructive starting points on the overall concept of solitude. This is the work and philosophical thought of Henry David Thoreau and for anyone, familiar with his thoughts on self-sufficiency, he is best-known for his rugged individualism. In particular, his experience of living for a short period in a wood cabin, which he built by himself at Walden Pond, near Concord, Massachusetts. Thoreau was one of the foremost thinkers of American Literature and his most famous work Walden, analyzes in depth the conflicting identities and problems of living in an industrialized world. More specifically, the nuances faced by individuals from the rampant advance of capitalism. Also, his deep interest in the natural world which have continued to shape American politics and popular culture for the past two centuries. Thoreau fuses solitude, nature, and the company of his own thoughts to create an experience of transcendence.

Thoreau’s work speaks directly to the state of modernity and contemporary ‘progressive living’ whereby modern cities have become denser in terms of spatial proximity and public spaces are more crowded due to intense urbanization Overall, this points to a rising trend of loneliness and is a stark reminder that, mankind is wholly unsuited to the physical and social environment which we now inhabit. For instance, more people live alone in small apartments, the trend of working at home has increased due to recent COVID events, hence commuting long distances and working long hours at a physical or virtual office have become social norms. As a result, people barely find quality time to spend either alone or with their families and are either shopping or socializing online, to escape the drudgery of everyday life. Similarly, Thoreau focused on a transcendent lifestyle in order to pursue a more healthy mind and body. Indeed, Thoreau’s reference that people should “avoid paying for costly desires” is deeply rooted in his idea of finding individual purpose. the influence of technology on solitude

Thoreau was also keen to point out how, new technology was able to dominate lives instead of serving human needs. Other key issues discussed in this episode are: the influence of changing ties and relationships on solitude; the influence of changing communities on solitude; the influence of technology on solitude; and how modern life became disconnected from nature through the influence of technology.