Interesting Times with Ross Douthat How the iPhone Drove Men and Women Apart
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May 29, 2025 Dr. Alice Evans, a social scientist at King's College London, delves into the alarming global decline in fertility rates. She argues this issue stems from both solitude and technology, which has altered relationship dynamics. The discussion highlights the growing number of singles and examines how economic independence impacts marriage rates. They ponder whether Hollywood can play a role in encouraging family growth and discuss the potential for government incentives. A thought-provoking look at how modern society is reshaping family structures!
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Global Fertility Collapse Insights
- Fertility rates are collapsing globally, except sub-Saharan Africa, with major economic and social consequences.
- Aging populations slow economies and increase fiscal pressure on younger workers and governments.
Coupling Crisis Drives Fertility Fall
- Rising numbers of single people strongly correlate with falling birth rates worldwide.
- The coupling crisis is the leading driver behind the global fertility decline across diverse cultures.
Technology Fuels Solitude and Decline
- Technology, especially personal online entertainment, competes with social interactions and discourages coupling.
- Digital solitude enabled by tech companies distracts people from forming real relationships.