ABSTRACT
The basic need for human connection has not changed throughout evolution but the ways in which we interact have changed dramatically. More and more of our interactions take place remotely. For that reason, it is important to consider ways of being and interacting that serve our needs as social creatures. Social connection can be achieved on a more regular basis by keeping in mind three aspects of a human-centered approach to improving the remote experience. The first is being connected on a human level by prioritizing people. The second is being open and honest, communicating to connect. The third is being part of something bigger by cultivating a sense of purpose and meaning. In this chapter, these ways are discussed, along with a review of the research that has confirmed their importance. To illustrate these ways of strengthening virtual connections, there is an examination of what happened when people around the world were required to be physically apart and a case study of New Zealand’s response to the COVID-19 global pandemic.
