Loneliness is the state of distress or discomfort that results when one perceives a gap between one’s desires for social connection and actual experiences of it. Loneliness exists in many complex forms of life, with very unique circumstances. Inspired by the S-Town podcast, people can feel isolated for many different reasons; John B McLemore felt suffocated by his sexuality, environmental challenges, and close relationship struggles. This research will explore each challenge and how it connects to loneliness in broader terms.
Serial’s “S-Town” Podcast follows John B McLemore’s life in Woodstock “Shittown” Alabama. John B is a chronic misanthrope. John B was a complex man with many talents, a notable horologist, a great friend, and a renowned complainer in his later years. John B was a genius who never graduated college, a liberal trapped with aged feelings towards race, women, and sexuality, a wealthy man with no proven riches. John B hyper fixated on climate change and the deteriorating world in which we inhabit, that he constantly bashes. John B who worked with chemicals and restoration techniques no other horologist would dare try. John B planted a maze with 64 possible solutions in his backyard. John B who got tattooed and pierced as therapy and to financially support his friend, although outwardly speaking down on those with tattoos and piercings. Throughout each chapter, listeners learn John B wasn’t always so cynical and has many fascinating secrets. John B is an enigma. John B’s story can be disturbing at times, but his ultimate demise inspired my research on loneliness.
58 percent of Americans reported feeling lonely consistently.
Loneliness is not outrightly a disability, but can be debilitating when paired with other mental illnesses. Social interaction, technology, and culture can impact someone’s aloneness. Loneliness is a silent companion that walks alongside many individuals in our modern world, regardless of age, background, or social status. It is not merely the absence of company but a deep-seated feeling of disconnection and isolation that can profoundly impact one’s mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
At the heart of loneliness lies social isolation. In today’s fast-paced world, where busy schedules and technological distractions abound, meaningful connections often take a backseat, leaving individuals feeling disconnected despite being surrounded by virtual social networks. The advent of social media, while promising connectivity, paradoxically contributes to feelings of loneliness. The curated and often idealized portrayals of life on social platforms can create unrealistic comparisons and a sense of inadequacy, fueling loneliness and social anxiety among users.
In John’s later years, his social isolation stemmed from his outspoken comprehension of climate change. “And I just couldn’t hear any more of it. I couldn’t hear Shittown, Shittown. I couldn’t hear it anymore. If you’re not going—if you don’t like it, leave it. You can leave it. You can leave it.” Olin Long, a close friend to John in earlier years, both gay men not romantically involved (it’s complicated, but isn’t everything with John). His compulsion to express his dread about the ending of the world due to climate change, and constant dread of everything fueled his demise. He was never trying to dig himself out of the hole he was in, and instead kept going further and further down until the one person he had left was the kind of person he absolutely hated. John B McLemore hated everything that his friend and employee, Tyler Goodson, embodied. Tyler had already been incarcerated, born and raised in S-Town, has many tattoos, was uneducated, already had children, didn’t have a stable career, unsure if he ever graduated high school.
The ramifications of loneliness extend far beyond emotional distress. Studies have shown a strong correlation between loneliness and mental health issues such as depression, anxiety disorders, and even suicidal thoughts. Loneliness influences social behavior, leading to withdrawal from social activities, difficulty in forming and maintaining relationships, and a heightened sense of social distrust. This vicious cycle of isolation can further reinforce feelings of loneliness, creating a self-perpetuating cycle that is challenging to break.
Loneliness manifests differently across many demographics. Older adults, for instance, face unique challenges such as retirement, loss of spouses or friends, and limited opportunities for social interaction. The LGBTQ+ community also grapples with heightened loneliness due to societal stigma, discrimination, and a lack of inclusive spaces. Rural communities experience geographical isolation, limited access to resources, and a sense of disconnectedness from urban centers, contributing to elevated levels of loneliness among residents. As talked about in the S-Town podcast, John B felt trapped in his small town but was so scared of leaving despite how little he thought of it. Loneliness is not merely a personal affliction but a societal challenge that requires collective efforts to address.
John B McLemore was a gay man living in a small town in rural Alabama with opposing views from his. He was stuck and suffering from many mental illness’ in a one last ditch effort to expose the shitty town he lived in, he reached out to Brain Reed. John B didn’t know his fabricated story of a small town killer would turn into his personal manifesto. Brian Reed telling John B’s story brought tragedies to light and made John B never forgotten.
Works Cited:
Ahmed, Minhal, et al. “Breaking the Vicious Cycle: The Interplay between Loneliness, Metabolic Illness, and Mental Health.” Frontiers in Psychiatry, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 8 Mar. 2023, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10030736/.
Buechler, Jessica. “The Loneliness Epidemic Persists: A Post-Pandemic Look at the State of Loneliness among U.S. Adults.” The Cigna Group Newsroom, 2021, newsroom.thecignagroup.com/loneliness-epidemic-persists-post-pandemic-look.
Henriquez, Nadine R, and Nora Ahmad. “‘The Message Is You Don’t Exist’: Exploring Lived Experiences of Rural Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ) People Utilizing Health Care Services.” SAGE Open Nursing, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 16 Oct. 2021, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8642108/.
Klein, E M, et al. “Loneliness and Its Relation to Mental Health in the General Population: Validation and Norm Values of a Brief Measure.” Journal of Affective Disorders Reports, Elsevier, 25 Feb. 2021, http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666915321000470.
Sprockets and Springes 