The Digital Freezing: Emotional Isolation and the "Silent" Patient-Physician Relationship in the Smartphone Era

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Authors: Peter Siegfried Krug
Cited by: 0

Abstract

This publication analyzes the phenomenon of "Digital Freezing"—the creeping emotional cooling of society caused by the permanent flood of digital stimuli and smartphone dependency. A particular focus is placed on the transformation of helping professions: the transition from empathetic interpersonal resonance to "data-driven" diagnostics. In modern medicine, the "Hybrid Physician" often prioritizes the screen over the patient’s gaze, leading to a state of "Psychic Numbing" and social malnutrition. The work combines neurobiological findings on dopamine down-regulation with sociological theories (e.g., Hartmut Rosa’s "Resonance") to document the systemic loss of empathy in a hyper-connected yet emotionally isolated world.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Empathy and Medical Education Digital Media and Philosophy Medicine History and Philosophy

Publication details

Journal / source
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Publication date
18 February 2026
Language
EN