SLC-S29/W2-‘‘Thinking and Ideas!|Simple Solutions to Big Problems!’’

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Choose a global or local problem (education, waste, traffic, unemployment, loneliness, etc.).
Propose a simple, realistic solution that does not rely on advanced technology.

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Greetings you dear all friends and steemians. Hope you all are well and happy. I'm also doing well and happy. Today my post is about the weekly contest assigned by @ninapenda. I like this contest the most and now I'm going to complete this contest.

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• Problem: Loneliness

The issue of loneliness is increasing in most of the communities particularly specially in adults and the elderly ages. People waste days talking to no one even in the bustling towns of humans. This isolation over time has an impact on mental health and confidence and general well being as well.

One easily understandable and realistic idea is known as One Table, One Hour.

After gathering one week a local cafe, community center, library or apartment building reserves a table where individuals who are willing to engage in a small talk can be found. There is a little note on the table or at the entrance asking anybody to come and play a one hour game.

This concept is totally real and non academic. Registration is not specific, a fixed group is absent and so is an intended discussion topic. Individuals are free to chat with each other, hear or go at their own convenience. A cup of tea or coffee is sufficient enough to establish a warm and friendly environment there.

This is an effective solution since it eliminates pressure. Individuals do not need to befriend each other or talk about themselves. The limited duration of time makes the participation feel secure and routine one is used to ensures that familiar faces gradually become a member of a community.

The most important thing One Table, Once Hour is a simple one-hour workout that does not demand much money. It depends solely upon available spaces and willingness of man. Minor buzzes of connection will eventually decrease the feeling of being lonely and make individuals feel visible and welcomed back.

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Who would benefit most from this solution?

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The elderly people would benefit the most out of this solution particularly the old adults who have retired, are living alone and have fewer interactions with their families. Social interaction is lost by many elderly individuals when they age and leave the work and a simple welcoming environment will provide them with a reason to leave the house and meet with other people without their feeling that they are a burden.

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It would also appeal strongly to single adults and remote workers who can interact with people over the internet, but rarely have a face-to-face conversations. The casual environment will enable them to mingle without having to organize activities and face pressure as they do with structured events and clubs.

It would also benefit new members of the neighborhood including migrants, students or individuals that recently relocated. They do not have many social networks in the local area and the solution provides a convenient starting point where they can connect with other people and feel that they belong to something.

At last, this would be useful to people who are temporarily lonely due to a break-up, loss of a job or a personal transformation. Due to its casual and brief nature, it offers soft human engagement in challenging times without the need to be emotionally damaged.

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What possible challenges or limitations do you think your idea might face?

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Low participation in the beginning can be one of the challenges. Individuals might be confused, uncomfortable doubtful to sit at a table with strangers. It might not look very appealing at the very beginning because without a couple of regulars who would adjust the atmosphere, there would be no one on the table.

Social discomfort is another weakness. There will be those who will control conversations and others will feel excluded or overpowered. The lack of a sense of shared norms can make the experience awkward to those who are uncomfortable runcovering the experience.

It can also be practically restricted. The cafes or open places may be concerned with noise, space, or lose-paying clients. In others, there may not be a fixed and available location.

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The barrier can also be due to cultural differences. In other communities, it is not the normal or is even discouraged to talk to strangers and thus it may not be accepted well with the idea.

But at the end, the solution will minimize the loneliness level, but it might not access the level of people who are severely isolated and confined at home. Such people may require more assistance than a free, open crowd can provide them.

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I would like to invite my friends @m-princess @sadaf02 and @roohiasif99 to get participation in this contest.

Regards
@steemsial