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It seems like it would largely apply. Part of the attraction is the reciprocal positive feedback and sense of familiarity.



This obviously could allow for a widening misalignment on a deeper level than we can easily observe.

I'm curious how this misalignment may manifest for the person's mental and physical health - as well as greater societal health in the long-term. If a person isn't bonding in reciprocal way with others ideally and in-person, and to use or have those people as a "soundboard" or counterweight to themselves.

If they are mostly with their own beliefs or current understandings of things without them being challenged by enough social interaction - then beliefs won't be kept in as much check as otherwise would be, where there's more chance that you'll be around peers that will question or challenge your beliefs on a deeper level; not thinking even anything super nefarious but we learn and organize our own brain/thoughts by talking with others, and how critical thinking is developed.

If using a parasocial relationship as a crutch without realizing it, nor being guided towards not needing it as a crutch, then there's going to be a growing imbalance for the individual and society's function.

I don't think there's anything inherently wrong with online streaming of games or OnlyFans NSFW content - it becomes a problem when it's more than just entertainment and more of an addiction.


If your hypothesis is that parasocial relationships are not a healthy substitute for social relationships, I think most people would intuitively agree.

I think the bigger question is the degree to which Parasocial relationships replace or compete with social relationships. I am more skeptical on this point.

I thought this paper was an interesting introduction and exploration of the topic:

The one-and-a-half sided parasocial relationship: The curious case of live streaming

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S245195882...




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