People are lonelier than ever – that’s hardly breaking news. Everyone has a theory about why. Social media usually gets the blame; streaming platforms like Netflix are often part of the conversation; and, increasingly, AI is making the list.
In 2023, the U.S. surgeon general warned that the country was facing a “loneliness epidemic.” The diagnosis was clear. But what if we’ve been looking at the problem the wrong way?
Maybe loneliness isn’t about how many friends we have. On paper, many of us have larger social circles than previous generations, whether that’s hundreds of Facebook friends or a busy group chat alongside real-life relationships. We’ve come a long way from the days of small, close-knit communities where everyone knew your business before lunch.
English (US)