I find that there are too many people who show more of a preference with spending time with one another over connecting and getting to know one another. Just because we occupy the same proximity for a quantity of time means very little. The quality of that time however, is highly important. Proximity, though beneficial to building a bond, is wholly unnecessary to getting to know one another. Perhaps this is a residual effect of the Instant Gratification Nation which we had become in previous decades. I am not saying that proximity doesn’t matter. Rather, people don’t need to be near each other in order to form a bond, connection, or relationship. Proximity can help the process though.
Too many talk about things of a mind-sinking, vapid nature; whilst engaging in time-sinking activities. Do we spend more time talking AT each other, or WITH each other? Do we listen enough, or do we simply process and/or respond to noise? How much effort do we put into getting to know one another? Are we just going through the motions with each other?
There are plenty of counter arguments (of the persuasive variety) which can begin to counter my observations, and that is glorious. Consider this, I have a preference to interact with another in person. However, due to certain particularities of my existence, it is difficult for me to readily engage in activities in which I can in interact with others. So, I adapt.