This is an excellent essay by David French.
I haven’t read it in decades but I recommend The Pursuit of Loneliness by Philip Slater from 1970.
Why is the most powerful and prosperous nation in history so torn by misery and division? Here’s one reason. We’re losing friends. Ultimately we were not created for power and prosperity. We were created for community and fellowship. My Sunday essay: https://t.co/c7RgphcfHT
— David French (@DavidAFrench) July 11, 2021
New research shows Americans have fewer friends than in the past and are less likely to have a best friend.
— Axios (@axios) July 25, 2021
At a time of excruciating mental and societal stress, the friendship drought is another sign we're breaking apart.https://t.co/feCVq8eiTE
Good reminder of the role loneliness and mental health plays in the appeal of conspiracy theories. https://t.co/LIEAaRA48e
— Donie O'Sullivan (@donie) July 20, 2021
Perspective: Even as society opens back up, some measures of social isolation remain alarmingly high. https://t.co/Ru6NbYbkLm
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) July 26, 2021
— CNN (@CNN) July 28, 2021
Read this, by @DamonLinker. The best inoculation against fundamentalism–religious, political, Left, Right, etc…–is friendship. https://t.co/KcmfluNINx
— Tim Carney (@TPCarney) July 26, 2021
Rather than helping alleviate isolation, virtual contact during the Covid-19 pandemic has been more likely to result in older people feeling lonely, according to a new study. https://t.co/KdDfxZWXpx
— CNN (@CNN) July 26, 2021
AEI’s Survey Center on American Life reports that 33% of US adults reported having 10+ close friends in 1991. Today it’s just 13%.
— Laurence Tribe (@tribelaw) July 25, 2021
So nearly 9 out of every 10 of us have no close friends at all. None.
Think about that.
It looks to me like a loneliness crisis of sorts.
Americans have fewer close friends. A new book offers a solution. https://t.co/Cr1eyJoMeD
— Slate (@Slate) February 19, 2023
Sad! 