Changing Interests, Loneliness, and the Impact of Technology

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This chapter explores how our interests and entertainment choices have changed over time, the impact of technology on shaping our preferences, and the topic of loneliness, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. It discusses the concept of a loneliness epidemic and its effects, the potential impact of technology, especially smartphones and social media, on loneliness and mental health, and the effects of social media on loneliness. The chapter also reflects on personal experiences with social media platforms and questions the influence of cell phones on personal well-being and social interactions.

The morality of zoophilia has received shockingly little attention in contemporary ethical discourse…until now. David and Tamler break down the paper “Zoophilia is Morally Permissible” from the latest issue of The Journal of Controversial Ideas. We explore issues of harm, consent, and more… like a lot more. Then we talk about Robert Putnam's classic article “Bowling Alone” (the paper that led to his best selling book) about the decline of civic engagement in American life.

Bensto, Fira (Pseudonym) (2023) Zoophilia Is Morally Permissible, Journal of Controversial Ideas, Vol. 3, Issue 2.

Putnam, R.D. (1995). Bowling Alone: America's Declining Social Capital. Journal of Democracy 6(1), 65-78. https://doi.org/10.1353/jod.1995.0002.

Luhmann, M., Buecker, S., & Rüsberg, M. (2023). Loneliness across time and space. Nature Reviews Psychology, 2(1), 9-23.