Discover the decline in face-to-face socializing among Americans, with insights from sociologist Eric Klinenberg. Dive into the impact on teens, parenting, and social infrastructure in America. Uncover the truth about loneliness vs. aloneness and the importance of building strong community connections.

Eric Klinenberg, a sociology professor and author, joins Kellie Carter Jackson, a renowned historian, to explore the vital role of community infrastructure. They discuss how physical spaces like parks foster deep connections, especially in tough times. The conversation highlights the urgent need for supportive networks, the impact of technology on relationships, and the significance of public libraries as community hubs. Through poignant examples, they illustrate how genuine social interactions can enrich lives and promote resilience.

Eric Klinenberg and Jon Favreau delve into how our failure to process 2020 could result in another Trump term. They discuss Trump's handling of the pandemic, societal vulnerabilities, and the lasting impact of a tumultuous year. They also explore the divisive impact of social media, leadership influence, and the transformation of individuals during chaotic times.

July 1995: A deadly heatwave gripped Chicago - bridges buckled; the power grids failed; and the morgue ran out of space - but some neighbourhoods saw more deaths than others. Sociologist Eric Klinenberg wanted to know why. So he headed to the hardest hit districts and found that social isolation and loneliness played an unsettling role in their heavy deaths tolls.    Does the Chicago heatwave teach us that in dealing with climate change we need to consider not just physical infrastructure, but social infrastructure too?   Eric Klinenberg's classic text on the topic is called Heat Wave: A Social Autopsy of Disaster in Chicago. For a full list of other sources go to timharford.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eric Klinenberg, a sociologist renowned for his research on heat-related disasters, sheds light on the often-overlooked fatality of heat waves. He reveals that heat waves surpass hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods in American deaths. Klinenberg argues for a revolutionary approach: naming heat waves to elevate public awareness and preparedness. He emphasizes how this simple change could transform perceptions and save lives by urging people to take these invisible killers seriously.