Ghost
Limits of Communication
The conditions and characteristics of attraction, have intrigued social scientists and biologists for centuries.
Newton’s enunciation of the laws of gravity in 1687, begged the psychological question of whether a similar set of rules underlay personal attractions. However, no young man or young woman ever felt the need of referring to Issac Newton to explain the irrational interest in that one special person across the room.
In the best instances, attraction precedes close contact, the first stage of some very interesting biology. In other instances, there is chemistry between these two, but no biology.
Questions like “Are the same set of physical and psychological features universally attractive” also appear in the work of classical artists and even song writers.
Attractiveness is often regarded as a personal resource that, in some cases, can be parlayed into a graphic or theatrical career. Fashion models reflect what producers believe are the universally accepted standards of beauty, even if physical beauty and attractiveness are different things.
It is not the intent here to explore the features of what can be called “social physics”: what, in their opposite number, appeals and what repels.
The evolutionarily important rules of social engagement depend heavily upon appearance and communication, and these have morphed as direct interactions are, to a large measure, replaced in the digital age.
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The term ghosting appeared frequently enough in common usage that it was included as a dictionary entry by 2015.
There are plenty of articles on the social and psychological impact of this new behavior.
It means the sudden cessation of an interaction or promising relationship without explanation.
The participants have also been assigned names, ghoster and ghostee, to clarify the interaction.
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The profound depth and breadth of online information has also made possible, the identification, location and contact data of those of prior unsuccessful interactions. Every so often, someone out of the past unexpectedly reappears by email, and a new interaction may (or may not) evolve.
Relationships continuing and relationships broken, offer the prospect for defining the rules of engagement.
In some cases, the forlorn search for some past hope ends in tragedy discovered.
There are always loose ends, questions unanswered, an attempt to extrapolate from what was once a pleasant diversion, forward in time to the present day.
People change.
It is common to see emotional disappointments replaced by others who resemble the lost either physically or psychologically.
Ghosting implies the person is still out there.
It may be a traumatic hope, but it is worse when the ghostee is discovered to be no more, beyond communication even if it were possible.