Why Human Connections Matter In Death Stranding
Imagine being unable to communicate with your friends and family. There are no emails, letter writing, or calling. You cannot roll into your car and visit them. You’re cut off and alone. It’s a terrifying scenario.
The Death Stranding story is a poignant and lonely portrayal of the dangers of an isolated society.
Sam Porter Bridges has the task of reconnecting individuals and small communities together in the wake of a crisis, dubbed Death Stranding, that has wiped out cities, large portion of human life, and all forms of connection. Yet, he holds no real motivation for building this social bridge, more obligated than driven. He exemplifies a jaded isolationism that has gripped America, doomed to fail.
It takes one meaningful connection with BB-28 to change Sam’s dismal trajectory.
Meanwhile, Higgs Monaghan, one of the story’s antagonist, tells a story of the negative impacts of a lack of social attachment.
At its core, Death Stranding is a story of just how dangerous being alone is and the power of connecting with others.
Warning: Spoilers below.
It’s Only Human To Connect
Humans are social animals and the social connections we make result in us thriving physically and psychologically (Kelly, Harper, & Mares, 2012). Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs (1943) argues that to grow and reach our potential we need a sense of belonging and love.
“Humans do not live in proximity of one another. They link themselves to one another. They tie. They bond. They bind… this attachment behavior is a hallmark of the species and a key to its survival” (Lofland, 1982).
The greatest tool fostered by our early ancestors and today is creating attachments with others. Attachment behavior contributes to surviving against predators. We are stronger together.
John Bowlby (1973), a psychologist on the attachment theory, has observed in animals that becoming isolated…
