Ghosting

During the week that we were discussing media ideologies in the context of relationships, one thing that came to mind at the time was the concept of "ghosting". I first heard of the term about a year or so ago. "Ghosting" is the label for when a person that you have gone on a date(s) with suddenly cuts you off. They stop responding to texts, messages, and any other form of communication on any social media platform. In the conversations that I have had "ghosting" usually also implies a negative view of the person who does the ghosting because it is generally seen as rude to stop all communication with no explanation whatsoever. I think that part of the reason why being "ghosted" can be so jarring and also embarrassing for the people who have been "ghosted" is due to the fact that we are so hyperconnected to people nowadays. Once you get to know someone you often add them on multiple social media platforms and may maintain your relationship through all of those different platforms. In being "ghosted", that person is refusing to associate with you on every level that you had become accustomed to using with them before. This dramatic drop off from hyperconnected to no connection at all is not only surprising but also embarrassing because nowadays it is uncommon to cut off all ties so harshly. In class we mentioned how unfriending someone on facebook can be seen as a very harsh action to take despite the action only happening within a virtual platform, in the same way this refusal to make contact can be a very harsh action because it is a rejection on multiple levels and with no explanation at all. I wonder if there are any gender differences in the use of "ghosting" with respect to how commonly it is used, for what reasons people will "ghost", and general opinions on whether it is alright to "ghost" people. I also wonder if before the age of dating apps and cellphones if there was an earlier version of "ghosting" or if loss of communication was just viewed as a normal end of a relationship.