
TED Talks Daily TED Talks Daily Book Club: You are not alone in your loneliness | Jonny Sun (re-release)
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Oct 26, 2025 Jonny Sun, a talented writer and artist celebrated for his confessional storytelling, dives deep into loneliness and connection. He shares how embracing vulnerability can lead to unexpected communities and support. Sun explains how humor and creativity, like his character Jomni the Alien, help normalize discussions about mental health. He highlights the internet's dual nature, both harmful and healing, showcasing how online interactions transformed his feelings of isolation into solidarity through shared experiences and togetherness.
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Alien Character As Personal Mirror
- Jonny Sun created Jomni, an alien character, to express feeling like an outsider while starting a doctoral program at MIT.
- He used this story to channel personal loneliness into a creative, relatable narrative that connected with others online.
The Void Can Echo With Company
- Jonny Sun found comfort in 'speaking to the void' of social media because other people were also reaching out there.
- He realized the internet's emptiness can become a space where many lonely people are actually listening and responding.
Normalization Through Public Conversation
- Seeing others talk about therapy and mental health online normalized those experiences for Jonny Sun.
- That normalization helped him realize therapy could help him and reduced the stigma around seeking support.




