The Flip Side of Loneliness

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In modern times, i think it's the flip side of loneliness. We're searching for tribes to be part of. In most of human history, they came naturally to us. They were our physical neighbors because that's who we lived around and near. For a lot of people, those aren't available any more. So we're looking for something else. Imen: How can we create bridges between tribes?

Author and economist Noreena Hertz of University College London talks about her book, The Lonely Century, with EconTalk host Russ Roberts. Hertz blames social media and the individualist, pro-capitalism worldviews of leaders like Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan for the rise in loneliness in the developed world. Russ suggests some alternative causes. The result is a lively conversation about understanding and explaining social trends.