Lonely people are more likely to die young
All 22,000 human genes were studied and compared, and 209 stood out in the loneliest people.
“These 200 genes weren’t sort of a random mishmash of genes. They were part of a highly suspicious conspiracy of genes. A big fraction of them seemed to be involved in the basic immune response to tissue damage,” Cole said.
I thought the article was interesting, and I’ll want to read the paper (when I have time), but I have a few questions about this study already. I thought this study was pretty random. But besides that, I’m more geared towards the idea that the poorer immune systems within certain people cause them to become lonely, and not the other way around.
The thing about this article is that I don’t see many controls in the study. I guess most of these will be explained in the paper. But one thing that would need to be answered before anyone proceeds is if these lonely people exercise all that much. Exercise helps your immune system, and if these lonely people normally don’t because they already have weaker immune systems, therefore they can’t work with others in as many activities. In other words, I think that this is what happens:
People with low immune systems –> People can’t exercise as much –> People can’t participate in as many activities as others –> People become “lonely”
So obviously, the statement that these people die young isn’t that surprising. But it’s not caused by their loneliness–rather, it’s caused by their initial body system being worse off than the average person.
In other news, I feel sorry for the teens in California who will have their electronic devices taken from them during driving. Actually, it’s not so much that I feel sorry for them than I feel that the law is unfair. Why just teens? Why not everyone? I think that in NY, there is a similar law, but it affects everyone (maybe it affects teens more severely, but everyone else is still affected as well).
On the first day in Participation in Government, we had a similar discussion in class about banning text messaging while driving. I was strongly for that. But from the discussion, I also learned that lawmakers in NY are thinking about banning Ipods while driving. Now I think that’s just way overboard. Cars normally have stereos, and listening to your Ipod while in the car isn’t going to be that much of a distraction. It’s just like listening to music on a car when the stereo is cranked up so much that everything else is drowned out.
5 Responses to “Lonely people are more likely to die young”
September 15, 2007 at 9:12 pm
Being from California, I knew that the “no cell phone” law went into effect this past July. But this is the first time I’ve heard of these devices getting taken away! I agree with it though–teens are the least experienced drivers collectively, so I think if the consequences of them talking while driving is MORE than just a fine, they might actually pay attention to driving more.
September 16, 2007 at 12:00 am
No, I think the article means loneliness is the cause of low immune systems, not that the lonely person was originally weak immune system-wise and didn’t just excersize more. Loneliness caused it. And it’s why people die of heartbreak, like Johnny Cash, it’s what happens. Your health decreases when you are depressed.
Freshmen seminar is a transition class from high school to college. It practices basic writing and studying skills while teaching a class that’s interesting to you (that’s how it is at my college).
September 16, 2007 at 8:23 pm
I also think it’s unfair for just teens…it should be everyone! I’ve seen some really bad definitely over 18 year old drivers who can’t drive when they’ve got a cell phone on their ear.
August 19, 2008 at 9:51 pm
From personal experience, loneliness began as a young woman with a severe form of mono,which lasted three years. All friends dropped away as I had to lay in bed; I lost my scholarships and earning-ability to buy a car, etc.
Later in life, when the disease hit again (the virus remains dormant), the same thing happened, only to a greater extent. You cannot “just get out there” and work and make friends, because of illness.
Some of these immune illnesses are not physically obvious (hidden): such as thyroid, adrenal and other endocrinological problems; even AIDS. CFIDS also isolates, causing loneliness, which in turn causes depression and more illness; a vicious circle.
What a great insight.
September 14, 2007 at 9:43 pm
That’s an interesting research, I wonder which university did it.
Oh yea, I heard about the new driving law on the radio this morning. They said that teens are more easily to get distracted or something.
I’m sure your resume is awesome as well! What kind of grades/SATs did your sister have?