Public & Private Spheres/Alienation
Public & private spheres/Alienation: The age of social media bridges the gap between the public and private spheres, connecting people everyday in ways that may not have happened in the not too distant past. The private sphere, traditionally the part of social life that is separate from the public, often including home, family, and intimate relationships, all of which are usually separate from the public sphere, which includes work, politics, and broader social connections. In the age of social media, any divide between the two is gone, as the private becomes public and our personal lives gain as much attention and analysis as social issues and the news. Some scholars have suggested that the breakdown of social barriers between public and private have both enhanced social connections, but also created a sense of alienation. This concept is one that has been explored by many social theorists, including Marx and Durkheim. Alienation generally refers to a breakdown of social relationships and connections, leaving one feeling isolated from other individuals in society. Some researchers have argued that regardless of our many online connections, the decrease in real human interaction may be actually creating high levels of alienation among those with constant social media use.
