Attachment in an A.I. World
In a World of Technology, Loneliness Becomes a Global Problem
Strings of the Soul
By Dr. Keith M. Waggoner
We live in an age where words can be heard across continents in milliseconds, yet a deep silence resides in the souls of many. We claim to be “connected” more than ever, yet feelings of loneliness and isolation are climbing unchecked.
1. A Painting That Speaks Volumes
There’s a painting haunting me—strings rising from each person in a crowd, tethering them to something unseen above. Some strings are strong, alive with golden light. Others are burning, frayed, fading.
It’s more than just art. It’s a mirror of the modern soul.
Each of us is tethered—to something. And the question that echoes from the canvas to the heart is: what has hold of you?
2. Loneliness Beyond Solitude
Loneliness is not the absence of people—it’s the absence of presence.
Researchers now confirm that loneliness has become a global health threat. It increases the risk of stroke, heart disease, depression, dementia, and even premature death. In fact, loneliness now has the same impact on health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
Yet in our supposed age of connectivity, we’re rarely truly seen or heard.
We scroll.
We swipe.
We “connect” in 280 characters…
But our souls remain untouched.
3. The A.I. Mirage
Artificial Intelligence offers a compelling solution: connection without complication. Chatbots and virtual companions can listen without judgment, affirm without boundaries, and adapt to our preferences instantly.
But this is precisely the problem.
A.I. is designed to please, not to challenge.
To simulate presence, not to embody it.
To mimic wisdom, not to transmit truth.
This is the heart of the deception: we are being trained to prefer affirmation over transformation.
MIT researchers warn that persistent use of AI as a “friend” may worsen disconnection, reinforcing isolated behaviors. Psychologist Sherry Turkle has described this as “artificial intimacy”—a replacement for relationships that masks vulnerability while starving the soul.
4. Burned Strings and False Promises
When we embrace the illusion of intimacy without risk, without conflict, without real human energy—something inside us begins to fray.
We were not made to be comforted by algorithms.
We were made to be formed by love.
Love that confronts.
Love that speaks truth.
Love that anchors us in something more than convenience.
The strings begin to burn when we mistake connection for transformation.
And eventually, we forget what real truth feels like.
5. Reclaiming the Sacred Thread
Yet, there is hope.
The first string ever tied to your soul wasn’t artificial. It was sacred.
Scripture tells us:
“I will never leave you nor forsake you.” – Hebrews 13:5
“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” – John 17:17
God is not an algorithm. He does not simply reflect our desires. He shapes our hearts. He holds us fast when we want to let go.
Real attachment—divine attachment—is not performance-based. It’s covenantal.
It doesn’t shift with your moods. It anchors you in your identity.
6. How Real Community Transforms Us
Neuroscience confirms what Scripture has long declared: we are wired for relational energy.
According to Dr. Stephen Porges’ Polyvagal Theory, safety and human presence regulate our nervous systems. We thrive when we see a loving face, hear a compassionate voice, and experience embodied proximity.
A.I. cannot do this.
It cannot transfer the healing power of physical presence.
It cannot teach you how to love and be loved through pain.
Only real people can do that.
7. Building Sacred Circles
The answer to the epidemic of loneliness will never be found in more stimulation.
It will be found in sacred circles—rooms of covenantal presence.
Homes. Churches. Brotherhoods. Families. Real conversations around real tables.
We must reclaim the practices of:
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Soulful conversation
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Vulnerability
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Confession and accountability
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Shared meals and shared burdens
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Prayer in proximity
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Tethering each other to truth
8. Recovering Truth in a Pleasing Age
A.I. is designed to please.
It will never tell you what you truly need to hear.
That’s why we must return to Scripture. Not just as a source of wisdom—but as the foundation of reality.
“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” – John 17:17
The sacred string must be tied to truth—not to sentiment, simulation, or self-deception.
In a world where A.I. is flattering us into oblivion, we need something real to hold on to.
9. Introducing: Strings of the Soul
That’s why I’m writing Strings of the Soul: Attachment in an A.I. World—a book and companion course that speaks directly into this moment.
In it, you’ll discover:
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The neuroscience of loneliness and connection
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The spiritual danger of false intimacy
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The psychology of attachment wounds
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Why divine attachment is our ultimate anchor
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How to build sacred circles and reclaim real human presence
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How to recognize truth when algorithms blur the line
This is not just a book. It’s a movement of soul reattachment.
10. The Invitation
Ask yourself:
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What are you truly tethered to?
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Is your string burning silently—or anchored securely?
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Are you being shaped by truth—or flattered into spiritual sleep?
You were not created for simulation.
You were created for sacred connection.
Let’s reclaim it. Together.
Visit keithmwaggoner.com to sign up for updates on the book, course, and future teachings.
Share this article.
Create a sacred circle.
Become the string someone else can hold on to.
📚 Research and Sources
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U.S. Surgeon General: Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community
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Business Insider – “Like Junk Food: Hinge CEO calls out Mark Zuckerberg’s Vision for AI Friends”
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The Guardian – “Can an AI friend make you less lonely?”
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MIT Technology Review – “Chatbots and Companionship”
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Sherry Turkle, Reclaiming Conversation: The Power of Talk in a Digital Age
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Stephen Porges – Polyvagal Theory
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John Bowlby – Attachment Theory
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Pew Research – “The State of AI and Loneliness in the Next Decade”
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Harvard Study of Adult Development – Longest running study on happiness
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Scripture: Hebrews 13:5, John 17:17, Psalm 103:13
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John Rice – Relational Theology and the Family of God