No, There Isn’t a Loneliness Epidemic (And That May Be an Even Bigger Problem)

No, There Isn’t a Loneliness Epidemic (And That May Be an Even Bigger Problem)

Face-to-face socializing in America has declined by more than 20% nationwide. Among some groups, like young adults and unmarried men, the drop is closer to 40%.

But strangely, this hasn’t led to the loneliness epidemic that you hear so much about. Instead, we’re seeing a new phenomenon: rising aloneness without rising loneliness.

Today on the show, Derek Thompson will help us understand this puzzling disconnect and its profound implications. Derek is a staff writer at The Atlantic who recently wrote a piece entitled “The Anti-Social Century.” In the first half of our conversation, Derek unpacks the cultural shifts and technological developments — and no, it’s not just the smartphone — that have created what he calls the “convenience curse.” We then get into why even self-described introverts are often happier when forced to socialize, the concerning trend of young men settling further and further into isolating, sedentary leisure, and practical ways we can strengthen our atrophied social muscles to become better, happier people.

Resources Related to the PodcastConnect With Derek Thompson

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Avsnitt(1159)

Escape the Happiness Trap

Escape the Happiness Trap

Note: This is a rebroadcast. Happiness is the subject of thousands of articles, podcasts, and scientific studies. Yet all this focus on happiness doesn’t seem to be making people any happier. In fact,...

23 Dec 202551min

The Idea Machine — How Books Changed the World (and Still Matter)

The Idea Machine — How Books Changed the World (and Still Matter)

Books are everywhere. They're so common, they're easy to take for granted. But my guest argues that they’re worth fully appreciating — because the book isn’t just a container for content; it’s a revol...

16 Dec 202555min

Why You Don’t Follow Through on Your Health Goals — and How to Fix It

Why You Don’t Follow Through on Your Health Goals — and How to Fix It

Most of us know what we should do to be healthier: eat better, move more, sleep well. The real challenge? Actually following through.On today’s show, I talk to behavioral psychologist Amantha Imber, a...

9 Dec 202551min

Masculinity as Confident Competence

Masculinity as Confident Competence

There’s a lot of debate these days about what it means to be a man. But maybe the answer is simpler than we think, and a lot of masculinity just comes down to confident competence. A broad set of know...

2 Dec 202549min

A Butler’s Guide to Managing Your Household

A Butler’s Guide to Managing Your Household

Note: This is a rebroadcast. It’s a tough job to manage a household. Things need to be regularly fixed, maintained, and cleaned. How do you stay on top of these tasks in order to keep your home in tip...

25 Nov 202549min

How the World Wars Shaped J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis

How the World Wars Shaped J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis

When people think of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, they often picture tweedy Oxford professors and beloved fantasy authors. But their writing wasn't drawn only from their bucolic days teaching at Oxf...

18 Nov 202556min

Family Culture and the Sibling Effect — What Really Shapes Who You Become

Family Culture and the Sibling Effect — What Really Shapes Who You Become

When we think about what shaped our life trajectory, we often focus on the way our parents raised us. But what about our siblings? What role do they play in who we become?My guest today makes the case...

11 Nov 202541min

Hercules at the Crossroads — Choosing the Hard Path That Leads to a Good Life

Hercules at the Crossroads — Choosing the Hard Path That Leads to a Good Life

In a story from ancient Greek philosophy, Hercules faces a choice between two paths: one promising pleasure and ease; the other, hardship and struggle — but also growth and greatness. According to tod...

4 Nov 202558min

Populärt inom Utbildning

rss-bara-en-till-om-missbruk-medberoende-2
historiepodden-se
det-skaver
alska-oss
harrisons-dramatiska-historia
nu-blir-det-historia
roda-vita-rosen
allt-du-velat-veta
johannes-hansen-podcast
rss-foraldramotet-bring-lagercrantz
sektledare
not-fanny-anymore
rss-viktmedicinpodden
i-vantan-pa-katastrofen
sa-in-i-sjalen
rss-basta-livet
rikatillsammans-om-privatekonomi-rikedom-i-livet
rss-sjalsligt-avkladd
rss-om-vi-ska-vara-arliga
rss-psykoterapipodden