Boys Quote by Susan Orlean
“Human relationships used to be easy: you had friends, boy- or girlfriends, parents, children, and landlords. Now, thanks to social media, it's all gone sideways.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "The End of the World as We Know It" (The New Yorker, 2017)
Social media has complicated traditional personal relationships, making connections feel more distant and transactional.
In simple terms: Social media strains simple relationships.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and nurture offline connections.
Themes
technology
relationships
isolation
Mood
reflective
concerned
Type
observational
critical
When to use this quote
- family gatherings
- friend reunions
- online dating
- tenant negotiations
Key Concepts
digital communication
social capital
Questions to Reflect On
- How has your offline network changed with social media?
- What steps can you take to strengthen real‑world ties?
A Different Perspective
Online platforms can also foster supportive communities, not just alienation.
![“If [people] place such things as friendship and family ties above their own productive work, yes, then they are immoral. Friendship, family life and human relationships are not primary in a man's life. A man who places others first, above his own creative work, is an emotional parasite.” quote by Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/644/ayn-rand-59_creative_if-people-place-such-things-as-friendshi_53834.jpg)
