How is the loneliness epidemic affecting society? | The Stream

The loneliness epidemic profoundly affects Gen Z.
Despite being hyperconnected through social media, they experience high levels of isolation, worsened by the pandemic.
The consequences are severe, leading to mental health crises, increased rates of depression and anxiety, and a sense of disconnection from community and purpose.
A study by Cigna found Gen Z (ages 18-22) is the loneliest generation, with nearly half feeling lonely. What can be done to address this growing mental health crisis?
Presenter: Anelise Borges
Guests:
Annie Ji - Sociocultural KZbinr
Esther Fernandez - Copywriter
Simone Heng - Human connection specialist
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#loneliness #mentalhealth #depression
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[@Green89_]

I’m lonely because I stopped trusting people. Society is too messed up. I spend all my time outside of work alone. It’s not worth opening yourself when narcissistic people and another abusers are waiting to manipulate you.

[@amonzart2379]

i can relate. People does not want meaningful relationships only handy people to hang out.

[@ma71600]

True! Everyone wants something from you, otherwise they don’t want to have a relationship with you. 😞

[@Green89_]

@@ma71600 that’s the truth. What do you offer? That’s all that matters.

[@user-ji6ni5wo2p]

Yes!

[@Theafterlife_00]

This is so true.

[@jptothetree]

Spend way less time on social media and you'll automatically be a happier person.

[@Cyberpunk_Radio_PBS]

Says the person on social media 😂😂😂

[@abtarmiah3799]

​@@Cyberpunk_Radio_PBSKZbin isn't as bad

[@KD6-3.7.2]

@@Cyberpunk_Radio_PBS Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter and Reddit. Stay off of those

[@Phoenixguy357]

Also actually go spend time just sitting comfortably in nature. Listen to the birds, watch some squirrels. Its so rejuvinating

[@jaughnekow]

this is a lie...

[@Tourian]

Social media has an incentive to keep people lonely. If people are actually together interacting with each other, they're not scrolling, not seeing ads, and not making money for the social media app.

[@Kirasfox]

That's the problem, even when they're together....they STILL scroll, endlessly. Its happened to me, and I honestly was getting irritated asf with it. We'd go from hanging and talking to literally 30+ minutes of scrolling and NO talking. I wouldn't even be on my phone, I'd see em just scrolling. Even if we are walking the mall, they'd stop like a smoke break to sit and scroll.

[@naeb9486]

This

[@laturista1000]

These girls are dependent on onlyfans, lovense, camsoda for income and they are instagram, tik tok addicts for clout chasing. Social currency helps them get real money to support their fantasy lifestyle

[@rahul_bali]

@@Kirasfox MindWashed

[@0.shusei]

true

[@Cotif11]

Loneliness often seems to be misunderstood. Some of the loneliest people i know are polyamorous with a constant revolving door of partners. Loneliness isn't about being alone, it's about having no one who actually cares for you as a person

[@WaveRider1989]

It happens more as our true love which is mom and dad passes away and are no more to love us unconditionally. By that time these days people don't have a partner, no kids then it will be lonely no matter how big your friend circle is. Now having things to do to keep you busy will regress some of it.

[@ikramulmridha7424]

Right

[@larsstougaard7097]

True Cotif loneliness is all about real intimacy and belonging, being loved and feeling safe with another person . Plus the relationship you have with yourself. You can feel completely alone at a big party even more so because you feel you dont belong there or connect with anyone on a deeper level. Social media push this individual loneliness too. But it can all be created from early on in life with parents and society that didn't give you a safe loving environment, there can be trauma , you were bullied, violence and abuse. So out of survival mechanism you will creat inner walls and protection against people and the world. Very tragic and can take many years to fix and heal, regulate the nervous system, be calm and be relaxed , trust others and be open for relationship in different forms.

[@Musecollective]

@@WaveRider1989neither of my parents are remotely my “true love”! 😂 They were both completely lost, young and emotionally immature. My true love is my husband, dog, capital S self, resilience, love of beauty and kindness and reparenting myself back to health rather than repeating the sicknesses of a society they mistakenly embraced. Decolonization of the mind, IFS therapy and acceptance is desperately needed for the foreseeable future and healing will take a lifetime of dedication for most of us. We don’t all have the luxury to take the important, vital time to work on ourselves much either in last stage crony capitalism. The old diseased system has to die if we are truly going to grow.

[@allcatall3931]

but, with increasing lgbtq around, there may always be a gay to care for u..

[@mickbenson9161]

It would have been nice to hear the unfiltered, honest male perspective on the loneliness epidemic. When you have four women discussing, you get a female version of what's happening. As usual, the male side is left out because men are expected to fix it themselves individually. The self-deletion numbers for men are 4x that of women, yet men are expected to simply man up and do better. If they're lonely, they're labeled as useless incels and need to improve and "level up." There's a massive empathy gap between the sexes. We're fundamentally different from each other. We're wired differently, and we perceive the world differently. You're indirectly making the problem bigger by leaving out the male perspective.

[@dahanster5578]

💯 This is a totally valid point.

[@MustTrustMe]

I wrote a college paper back in 1999 about this. Referring to how in the future we will interact with machines more than humans and here we are. I wish I could find that essay

[@user-up9rf3nw2i]

Hope you find it. You had foresight 🎉

[@Why_Knott_Me]

Like Jim Morrison, ya?

[@journeymanX]

People way back in 70s/80s already knew this,from TV,PCs and the birth of the internet Neuromancer and bladerunner should give you a clue

[@yokuzo11]

The corrupt economic system that has people working their lives away is probably the greatest factor that contributes to loneliness

[@dahanster5578]

💯

[@diegokricekfontanive]

One of the primary causes of this issue is that we started to glorify self-promotion since the dawn of the internet, creating levels of egocentrism and self-centredness unimaginable before the advent of social media. Our brains have become accustomed more and more to a narcissistic and superficial thinking style where the me-me-me mentality is dominant. The consequence of this is that we now feel flat, sterile, shallow, and caught up in a sense of void and a void of sense.

[@dahanster5578]

💯

[@agxec2932]

"I'm alone, not lonely" - Neil Mccauley, from the movie Heat (1995) "I live in that solitude which is painful in youth but delicious in the years of maturity" - Albert Einstein

[@ritardstrength5169]

Neil McCauley was a sociopath. I’d say he’s an example of loneliness being a severe problem.

[@agxec2932]

People also ask What is the famous line from Heat (1995) ? Neil McCauley : Don't let yourself get attached to anything you are not willing to walk out on in 30 seconds flat if you feel the heat around the corner. Don't think Neil Mccauley was a sociopath or else he wouldn't attach himself to Eady.

[@wardachrouaa7281]

There is a giant difference between feeling lonely and living on their own. Some people who have friends and family around them feel alone, and some people who (almost) have none around them do not feel lonely. The problem is when you are not happy with how it is. The problem is not being on your own

[@cameronf3343]

That’s very nice of a philosophy but the problem is the scientific field disagrees with it across the macro scale.

[@ramonmoodley2462]

For me personally, I could talk to people non stop if they're strangers, and I know I probably won't see them again ( or don't have to). People who know me make me feel the most alone. The expectations they place on me, has me feeling trapped, as if I have no control over my own life.

[@eigelgregossweisse9563]

​@@cameronf3343Of course. Do we have solutions though in biology? Sociology? Genetic editing? Etc...

[@sabrinalee9101]

This conversation was amazing. I spend most days alone but i don't feel lonely. I also don't have any social media platforms that I engage in. Never downloaded tik tok, abandoned Instagram and Facebook years ago, and only go on Twitter when sent a link. This conversation did answer some questions I had about myself

[@gee_emm]

KZbin is social media and you are here engaging in it! Lol.

[@henrytep8884]

Do you use KZbin?

[@dariuspalmer2829]

​​@@gee_emmKZbin is a video sharing platform with a social media element to it. You don't come into YT wanting to interact with others initially that's why it isn't just a social media site

[@NAGA2100]

Where are the men in this interview? Their point of view would actually give us very good insights.

[@Jewel_Screaming_Chango8387]

They don’t care what the men have to say look how any time men speak out on this and the reasons for it they get shut down , cancelled or ignored

[@Kirasfox]

​@@Jewel_Screaming_Chango8387 that's false, don't make dumb assumptions

[@Jewel_Screaming_Chango8387]

@@Kirasfox it’s true for you to disagree you gotta be down bad, gay , or being cucked af I pray you don’t push this delusion onto any off spring o children 🤦‍♂️ son

[@Blackgrimreaper2024]

Exactly just more female trivial matters that means nothing

[@Jewel_Screaming_Chango8387]

@@Kirasfox keep coping son

[@minnesotajude8447]

Social media is antisocial.

[@Madzguy007]

Zuckerberg disagrees

[@killy374]

"better be alone than in the company of wrong people " said the guy who commited suicide

[@RiruKrypto_]

Being Alone = Company of wrong people, nothing is better than the other. lol

[@vv-cv6ud]

Sometimes a listener needs a listener too

[@TruthTellerMan]

I have been alone for 17 yrs now and my life is great.. My advice is stay positive and always make busy your by reading or working on something u love. Peace

[@killy374]

Road to suicide

[@dariuspalmer2829]

This kind of goes against the whole humans need social interactions, do you have 0 social interactions?

[@jouinisofien7451]

It is like saying im without vitamine D for a 17 years and im ok. You need just to have Vitamine A and B

[@mastermindrational1907]

The loneliest generation. I haven’t been on a date in a decade.

[@-schattenpflanze-3755]

I have been on a date ever

[@williamkinkade2538]

Me too...​@@-schattenpflanze-3755

[@samuelsingh520]

Same here

[@RiruKrypto_]

The only date I've been on is with a ghost tbh. lol

[@MHMusic-Hub]

I think a lot of people are also used to being alone. Especially people who enjoy drawing, music, building things, writing, reading and a lot of stuff that u need to do alone. Maybe they’re called introverts? I don’t think everyone enjoys being with someone just like some people just don’t like children.

[@larsstougaard7097]

Agree there is a big difference of being alone doing stuff you love and loneliness. Its that if you don't feel any deeper connection or intimacy with anyone, you don't belong to any group or community that can be super lonely 😢

[@MHMusic-Hub]

@@larsstougaard7097 thats not what i meant. I meant some people are just introverts & enjoy doing things by themselves & don’t enjoy social settings with big crowds and actually don’t like having children. It’s true. Some people actually choose jobs where they don’t have to be social with people.

[@MHMusic-Hub]

@BreakandEnter-tg9kg yes, so apart from you & your gf do you like interaction with other people on a regular basis? Some people are very social & enjoy having visitors 24/7 & some people don’t.

[@MHMusic-Hub]

@BreakandEnter-tg9kg cool… i don’t think i’ll go watch taylor swift if am in london. I’ll probably go watch a d.j play.

[@MHMusic-Hub]

@BreakandEnter-tg9kg ok. You sure do love your gf a lot. My son & nephews & nieces would really enjoy Taylor swift though. I have a niece in London… she’s French.

[@miniscribbler7638]

im always alone but never lonely.

[@Cyberpunk_Radio_PBS]

It's so uncommon for that to be the case that it's considered a personality disorder 😂 There'd avoidant, and also Schizoid that have isolation tendencies

[@onlyssRafat]

Good to know i’m not the only one like that.

[@SeWi2221]

That’s actually a good thing 🤔

[@ILovePlayingZeldaGamesOnSwitch]

Me too. I can't force myself to like people or people to like me. I do not enjoy what they do too, i have activities that i like and most of the people around me only likes to gossip which i think is a waste of time.

[@FrickinCCDeVileV]

Cope

[@jonb4722]

At least, they're talking about loneliness. Thirty years ago nobody would.

[@AlanTheBest97]

I think its especially difficult for young men nowadays.

[@BryJovi17]

Yet not a single man was involved in this discussion... Yes, clips were referenced but I think it would've been fairer and more balanced with at least one man present of the total three people who were asked to discuss the topic.

[@stub4488]

But that mean mostly women effected. 🤡🌏

[@BryJovi17]

@@stub4488 Elaborate? It's not a competition between men and women. If either side are suffering then it hurts human people full stop. Loneliness can lead to people disengaging with society and/or their community, for men it can lead to dramatic and/or aggressive actions such as assaulting women, carrying out shootings, etc. For women it leads to lower birth rates and we are seeing clear statistical evidence on birth rates in developed nations being below the required replacement rate and so our society's won't cope in a few decades unless we have more babies today and over the next few decades.

[@thedoghouse8900]

@@stub4488facts , idiotic world we live in now

[@mdreazhosen5]

In order to justify men are naturally more capable and ambitious for money/love/social respect/leadership (both at home and in outside) you have to give something to women to say that men and women are different but equal. Women are better at verbal ability (but worse at math), women are more emotional/speaks from heart (but worse at logic), Women like lesser paid service job/social science (men like high status and money in STEM). Guess what in order to talk social issues, you need better verbal ability, need to connect emotionally and need to like social science. Since men are bad at these things according to patriarchy we will not have "forced" diversity when talking about social issues also thanks to patriarchy. This is one of the few times men will feel marginalised and that may lead to realise how women feel marginalised almost everywhere else. Mainstream movies, TV shows with all men cast are normal just like mixed cast but an all women cast is "gender" motivated, noticeable (there are exceptions tho). Men are scientists, politicians but women are "female" scientist, "female" politician (again there are expectations like male pornstars)

[@betallyoungattractive644]

Not a single guy on the panel. Very telling

[@Grimmes12]

I said the same exact thing! Thanks for not making me feel so lonely

[@nin1269]

​@@Grimmes12 😂 I also read that after my comment. Now I'm less lonely.

[@thorfinn2822]

They probably didn't want to get to the dark side of the loneliness epidemic, which is sad.

[@NevilleStewart-n3t]

Couldn't agree more - so very well said !!!

[@surendaradvani213]

Loneliness can cause more deaths than cigarettes smoking and alcohol addiction combined.

[@karlad4082]

I live alone but I enjoy living alone. I can’t say that I ever feel lonely😊 Find a long-term goal and stick to it until the very end and get rid of your social media! You’ll see how your loneliness disappears.

[@beverleyreid563]

I agree with you. I love being by myself. I find people to judgmental and gossipy so I avoid them. Thanks for sharing.

[@larsstougaard7097]

We all need or long for some sort of human connection and intimacy. You can spend much of your time alone but if you have a person or two you bond with on a regularly basis you can be fine. And it can be people in the local shops too. But if you have no one at all , no one to share with, no one who see you or understands you thats where it can be super lonely.

[@miguel5785]

Sure, but we can put ourselves to better use in connection with others, so if you can share that long-term goal, the result should be better.

[@gee_emm]

People seem to forget that KZbin is also social media. It's a question of balance.

[@Cyberpunk_Radio_PBS]

You are on social media right now, are you kidding? 😂😂

[@Cognizance.1]

As a society, we’ve grown so accustomed to this hedonistic wheel of self pleasure that we forget what really matters, social connections.

[@somber087]

I'm not lonely. I have my family and a few friends. I just prefer to be alone nowadays cause I no longer trust everyone

[@chunwong1807]

I just had a trip with some very close friends. What surprised me was that I was feeling lonely during the trip.

[@plantmama7442]

Same.

[@miguelmontoya]

IS CAPITALISM.

[@alejandragutierrez220]

YES

[@JMichael-e4y]

I told my grandma that we should keep some snacks for people just in case they come over she said...nobody ever comes over anymore if they do then they want something from you. She said those days are over. I felt sad because if you were spanish or italian in these cultures it was normal to have cake, cookies and coffee for somebody in case they would stop by.

[@TrevorHamberger]

Now people eat that stuff for their meals. That's why they look so terrible

[@divamoosic]

People also need to be kinder to socially awkward people. How are they supposed to work on their social skills when they're repeatedly being ostracized?

[@EB-gt1pq]

People need to be kinder in general. I’m not socially awkward, and I’m totally unable to make a friend.

[@BizouBijoux-yn8yg]

Think less about ourselves, more about others. Spending more time appreciating and helping others will help.

[@seculair2996]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@knightofkorbin888]

"Work shall set you free."

[@v2xerxes580]

I live around Islamists and black thugs... loneliness is keeping me alive and safe .. diversity cities are gutter and I think this is the real reason people stay alone and safe from other cultures it's not safe to deal with this zoo..

[@priskruger314]

So true!!! ❤

[@priskruger314]

​@@knightofkorbin888work shall help you prevent dementia 😊

[@cabalofdemons]

I'm a 37 year old introvert, but I believe in staying connected with the world. It's not enough to scroll and "like" content. However, developing a community whether in person, online or both is optimal for individual happiness and societal engagement.

[@gaborhovan3530]

All women conversation. Where are the men? It seems, that men are not important any more. That is a big part of the loneliness society.

[@haydenbrewer4128]

For reals, chick lonlyness and dude lonlyness are very different. Most chicks who say their lonely have way more friends then a lonely dude.

[@stub4488]

Dievesity!

[@bromane5thfloor]

I was thinking the same thing.

[@okorochukwunonso2563]

Men even suffer more loneliness because most men don’t have emotional supportive friends unlike women. Patriarchy got us here and harms men too!

[@dahanster5578]

💯

[@EB-gt1pq]

I’ve literally been trying for 20 years to befriend women. Friendships start out ..then they fizzle out or they ghost me. A recent new friend I made indirectly called me ugly. I’m so through trying to befriend women. They are the absolute worst.

[@asdfxcvbn746]

social media destroyed women's brains. it has turned women into complete narcissists from all the attention & validation they get online.

[@stub4488]

They don't even like eachother.

[@bobbyscalchi4013]

​@@stub4488They have feaux loyalties with each other until something better comes along.

[@jamessteele7102]

Men are just as bad. Most humans are nasty. That said, the problem is that attractive and moderately attractive women have been given far too much power in these modern times.

[@khansherani]

Go for a village area where u have any of.ur ancestral connections and befriend a simple girl

[@AdekunleLawal]

Be intentional. Reduce screen time for Children. It’s good that parents ensure that their Children can have some play time in the real world and ensure that includes meeting people from diverse backgrounds. Let them make friends and experience what healthy relationships are like.

[@maravillamaravillosa5654]

We no longer have direct person-to-person relationships. There is technology in the middle. How can we learn to balance that?

[@EnceliaActoni]

Loneliness is when you wholeheartedly WANT human connection and relationships but you can’t get it even after making effort. It is another thing when you are disconnected from yourself.

[@happytape307]

Get a physical hobby, join community activities, start a veggie garden, join a club, start playing a sport, do charity work, go to religious gatherings - all great ways to meet new people. Don't accept medium-to-long term loneliness if you desire a lot of human connection.

[@ppss.6302]

Nah, none of that really works, everything is conditional and fluid. You gotta meet all sorts of conditions to get even superficial temporary associations going. In the past one was a part of something or other by default.

[@happytape307]

@@ppss.6302 worked for me. Joined a car club, made new friends, talking to women again. This was after my recent divorce. Haven't had friends in years.

[@MHMusic-Hub]

Hello 👋… we meet people on al-jazeera 😂

[@abongderic8565]

Great idea.

[@happytape307]

@@MHMusic-Hub hello new friend 👋😎

[@chrislim7976]

Used to be the church. Used to be shopping malls. Used to be Starbucks. All basically gone. Then global pandemic. Done. Pathetic.

[@Madzguy007]

Starbucks gone??

[@sharissaschannel3644]

Beach, park, library, Mall, just walking around. You don't have to spend money. You just have to be willing to explore.

[@jamessteele7102]

Your advice would be correct if this was still the 1980s.

[@Fgbjvgjhyh]

Lol someone tell her

[@dahanster5578]

None of these things are directly conducive to meaningfully relationships.

[@vivekmandvi2199]

Loneliness is caused because of unrealistic expectations in our mind.

[@reneeracine2240]

not sure what you mean by that, may you explain better/?

[@KidRipable]

@@reneeracine2240 womens standards nowadays are the explanation

[@fernando-loula]

@@reneeracine2240 I think there are many ways in which that can be true, but nowadays a sense in which it is has to do with people fearing showing up and organizing get togethers because they feel intimidated for not being enough, not living the life that is shown on social media and all. People feel inadequate, not enough in their own world.

[@reneeracine2240]

@@fernando-loula That requires a lot of work. What about the people that are outside of this? They can attack and bully despite of the group thing. king of like we have a small military that is not a good one.

[@NinorahDeux]

Very true. But everybody has the right to decide if superficial relations worth their energy to be spent.

[@MHMusic-Hub]

Feeling alone when you’re with someone is also very annoying. On top of feeling alone you also feel very annoyed with the person so it’s nicer to be alone alone or with family. Spending time with children can also be a lot of fun even though they’re not your own. With adults there’s still a chance that they won’t love you back but if you take care of children they always love you back regardless.

[@MHMusic-Hub]

@@imine2024 i’ve got 2 cats. And why do u say ‘use’ children? Do teachers ‘use’ children? Do babysitters ‘use’ children? Do parents ‘use’ children? I think choice of words are also very important in relationships. Trigger words could also make or break one. Cross cultural communication is also important.

[@nasreenakhtar8521]

That's the worst feeling

[@gee_emm]

@@MHMusic-HubYes. Parents, teachers and babysitters do use children. Expecting love from such young ones is placing such an unfair burden on them.

[@MHMusic-Hub]

@@gee_emm i didn’t say anything about expecting love from children. It comes naturally because of their nature. As long as you love them. If you are single & like children & don’t have children it’s worth it to adopt… even if they don’t love you back the way you want you would still love the child regardless like how moms do. You’d love your child regardless. You should try… start by teaching or visiting childrens hospice or childrens ward at the hospital… see if it would make u like children. Some people do & some people never do. Everyone is different.

[@gee_emm]

@@MHMusic-Hub " if you take care of children they always love you back regardless". How is that not expecting love from children? And now you're giving unsolicited advice to strangers to boot? Lol. No thank you.

[@drstepnohelpneeded]

I definitely think loneliness is a type of void…..that can perhaps be filled with a spiritual practice I.e., yoga, prayer, nature, hiking, Islam, meditation, music, Buddhism, Hinduism etc

[@larsstougaard7097]

Yes good healthy activities and community, we need other people in a safe space

[@HellORhighwaters]

Activities will alleviate loneliness but cannot fill the void of deep human connections.

[@MB-xv7er]

Spiritual practice just made me be alone more because I see how awful humans are

[@SheCanSmile]

I agree. And the when your tribe or community finally starts showing up you show up as healed.

[@thiruram5675]

I am living alone for past 11 yrs without any one other than me with me. All I pray everyday is to let me get to my end

[@AtelierCSP-zb3lp]

Hope things will get better for you.

[@Nobody_nobodyy]

Hope doors open for you

[@beautyonabudget3238]

Hope things get better for you 💗

[@thiruram5675]

@@beautyonabudget3238 thank you

[@thiruram5675]

@@Nobody_nobodyy thank you

[@user-rw311]

At 45 years old in great shape super handsome and Loneliness was physically making me feel sick. I decided to cure my Loneliness by spending 6 months a year in south America. It definitely solved my problem life in south America feels normal again dating feels normal again. I do 3 months in south America 3 months in the usa then back to south America for 3 months and back to the usa for 3 months. It always gives me som to look forward to. In a few years i will sell my house thata paid off and sell my cars and retire in south America. The average American male no matter what age no matter how rich or how poor lives like a castrated caged animal 💯💯💯

[@razamughal9095]

suggest the best place in south America For a holiday.

[@chiburu_uchinanchu]

stay off social media and workout everyday.

[@jacobperez8921]

Absolutely! Church time is a plus as well. People need to believe in something.

[@luke.louren.]

I am fortunate that I come from a large family. My cousins are my friends. While my sister lives in another country, I keep in touch. And my parents and I have a great relationship. This is alot more than most and so I am truly grateful. What I have felt, is that it is quite likely I will be single for years to come. I've tried online and inperson dating, however I seek a committed relationship rather than "friends with benifits", as someone in my 20s I think it can be tough to find someone.

[@delberthcastro656]

Loneliness is way better then being in an abusive, crazy, drama packed relationship! No headaches, no answering to anyone, sleeping in peace, tranquility, money for travel. At this point , the risks outweigh the rewards

[@Shaolin91z]

Bible study class replaces loneliness with peace. Peace in Christ surpasses all understanding. Thanks Lord for bible study class. Thanks Lord for your peace

[@Soullessred86]

I've realized that good women are either taken or not interested, which is fine. It's hard to connect with genuine people online. Most profiles are exaggerated, creating a false image to gain validation. This cycle of masking loneliness with a facade is self-deception. I'm too quirky for social media, and I don't miss it. Why invest in imaginary connections? To those struggling, be yourself. It may open you up to criticism, but true connection comes from embracing your flaws.

[@khirghisia]

Very insightful conversation, each comment was really on point. Another problem that worsen loneliness is social stigma. People who live on their own, with no children or partner are most of the time viewed with suspicion, perceived as strange, unlikeable. One can be alone but have a fulfilling life, as much as one can be married with children and feel miserable inside. If loneliss was appreciated, people would learn how to make the most of it and be happy about it.

[@beautyonabudget3238]

Totally agree I regularly feel attacked by men for being single since the pandemic, I have dated a lot before but need to be single right now to work on my mental health & have counselling and I am treated very very badly by society

[@khirghisia]

@@beautyonabudget3238 I am really sorry to hear. In today's society mamy people are on their own, we should support each other more.

[@sasapetroski981]

That's why we lonely.. 24/7 online is sick. People don't have social skills, don't talk between each other.. That's why we have tons single man and woman

[@Valanci555]

One word “Genuine Connection “

[@MyPepex]

Yes asians are very distant and tend to be lonely. Australia if you don't drink is impossible to meet new people, add to that the multiculturalism where nobody talks to people from different places but sticks only to their own creating cultural guethos. Also most of the communities that existed before (church, clubs, work) are not replaced or replaced with internet forums

[@SheCanSmile]

Substance abuse as a coping mechanism to deal with all these matters. Not just social media.

[@musicandpoetry_8]

Yup I’ve developed alcoholism from the pain of loneliness

[@oddballbraxtondisaster6568]

When women feel lonely it’s viewed as major issue and they talk about it on the news. When a man is lonely he is shamed and gets called an “incel.” I think social media and feminism are the causes of the loneliness epidemic. We’ve created a social climate where men don’t feel comfortable engaging with women in a post me too world

[@beautyonabudget3238]

I think women are struggling just as much but I think popular culture & people who aren't experiencing loneliness are to blame, they laugh at people who are lonely & exploit them

[@AnthonyWarren-o6x]

I've been rejected by women all my life. I'm now 75. Rejection saps confidence, induces resentment, jealousy, bitterness, low self esteem - and loneliness. Rejection affects every aspect of one's life including working life - as it did in my case. I feel worthless. For me it's been the worst thing in my life - and I've had cancer!

[@gritfitstudios]

Put a guys perspective on the panel, not just 4 women

[@hakuyowane4448]

It's not a mystery or a paradox why loneliness is as bad as it is today. The signs were always there but alas the ones up top dont care and honestly? Probably wanted this

[@hugoaguilar96]

Loneliness is happening thanks to the system and feminism around the world, now days most men want to be alone other than be with someone toxic and ridiculous

[@nin1269]

100% I made a similar comment. MGTOW, Monk and Redpill are a great modern solution for men!

[@blackglitteremoji3054]

I like what the woman from Singapore said about the yearning for going back to a more community focused mindset. The reason why it shifted to the “me” focused approach by millennials was due to the cultural rigidity, lack of empathy, unwillingness to address toxicity within communities and ostracizing ppl who think differently. So we’re here now. I think we could shift back into a community centered dynamic if we respect each other’s differences, honor traditions, normalize having conflict and addressing things right away. Each generation has gained knowledge that is beneficial for being in community. I think everyone is waiting on someone else to start something and for them to join in- that’s not gonna work. You have to get past your discomfort and start talking to ppl. Especially my fellow gen z folx. I’m an older gen z/ younger millennial (zennial). It is uncomfortable but you gotta put yourself out there. You need to be seen and heard. You never know who you’ll inspire. For myself, I’m naturally drawn to talking with elders when I go out and we’ll converse about a lot of things. I wouldn’t know that if I didn’t start putting myself out there.

[@timonvanli]

"Loneliness does not come from having no people around you, but from being unable to communicate the things that seem important to you." Carl G. Jung

[@jadebrownbull4903]

It's hard for me to trust people.

[@NederlandseGeschiedenis]

In 1984 I met a woman who was 25 years old and I was in love with her, a beautiful woman, I was still a virgin at the time, just over a year old, and she turned into a kind of monster. My greatest wish at the time was to become a fader. has completely taken that away from me. I am now 63 years old and still a virgin. She has a daughter who was 8 years old at the time and who is now around 47. She is married and now has a child of her own. Her mother has ruined my life, she now has everything. taken from me, I have no idea how long I will live, maybe another 15 years before I die... it has now been 39 years and those misery still follow me, it's like a movie that won't close

[@user-sf7sg4ql5u]

I'm on my phone 100% of the time in my room. Why do I feel lonely? Are these people stupid or something? Talking to people online, but never meeting them in person means that you know nobody. Nobody that you talk to online is EVER going to come help you, because you are a stranger. Online friends = stranger in real life. Put the phone down. Stop living a live of constant online addiction, and maybe it isn't too late.

[@Vorname_Nachnahme]

It's the *_'supermarket-problem'_* .In the 60s/70s there were only small shops with a limited amount of Wurst and cheese choices. It was easy to choose and be happy with your choice afterwards. Today there's an overwhelming amount of choices at your fingertips, that make you unhappy already during the choosing-process. And then when you have choosen, you cannot get rid of the feeling there'd been a possibly better choice, which leaves you kind of unsatisfied in the end despite of all that schlaraffia. I would say, because of human nature tending to get picky, limitation produces happy humans while overdoses of choices produce unhappy humans. I guess we need a war again to get re-grounded because everything in life is a pendulum, after it's max. swing to the happy side, the swinging back to the max. unhappy side is inevitable. Happiness is the product of former unhappiness.

[@lloydfrancis9149]

I'm glad I was raised in the 80s

[@SimonBoafo]

Exactly

[@hammerboycb]

The ending saying we are a community is part of the problem. Nothing but a facade

[@kickicker6058]

Gordon Gekko said, " If you need a friend, get a dog" from the movie Wall Street.

[@bedardpelchat]

I was just accepted in a coop housing situation. The members of that part of the coop which consists of three buildings (out of 25 so far) have just voted to open a community centre on the premises, thus allowing people from the coop (and perhaps eventually elsewhere) to have what you called a third place to meet. Coop housing and co-housing are ways to connect with real people which is hardly the case in any big city that are making everything a commodity. People have to find way to organise diffrently and if possible buy together their own building and turn it into a coop or co-housing, etc.

[@msf559]

technology is the hell...i have got ocd, adhd and maladaptive daydreaming and many other issues

[@sS-dh4ms]

The main reason for being lonely and unhappy is to freeing yourself from your unconscious mind. Unconscious mind is wired by everything is going on around you and been told and what's going in the world. It is you conscious mind that controls your motions and feelings which you can easily avoid any negative thoughts and feelings..

[@christinacatalano]

We feel alone when we are disconnected from ourselves. Gen Z is obsssed with making universal feelings - that hit all generations at some point in their lives - into a discussion or topic they discovered (lol) to dissect without proposed action or thought-out ideas on evolving it. They’re obsessed with talking about their issues while doing nothing to introspectively sit with them. So many terms, so many definitions, so many excuses. As much as I appreciate this attempt of a collaborative lecture, I can’t help but disassociate when I hear word salad about social media, and Gen Z being the sole interviewees to pull from. Wait till they’re in their 30s and up, loneliness isn’t what they think it is. If you want to feel alive, be alive. Be here, do something.

[@obn1459]

Its ok for people to be alone or feel lonely, its the result of way too many people using people, being abusive etc., and the society expecting a lot on people and yet doing little to help people, so people will be alone

[@EB-gt1pq]

You just described me

[@jamalwhite55]

No men on the panel? That’s interesting, I’d imagine the group most affected may have some key insights to add to this discussion.

[@gvis8217]

LOL as usual nobody cares...

[@musicandpoetry_8]

Meeting a warm, welcoming, genuine person is so rare, that’s why I hate the general population so much..I’ve become so freaking hateful and jaded from being so nice and giving with no reciprocating

[@jaywalkercrew4446]

Sometimes i think a women will help, then i had one over xmas for four months, she turned out to be emotionally unstable. I sacked completely after she shouted down the phone to me, never spoke to her again. 'Aired.'

[@nin1269]

Women are never the solution. Especially modern western women.

[@stub4488]

At least they admit they ruined it with social media.

[@h.davidburstein3578]

Great show: I wrote a book “Smartphones Don’t Give Hugs- A Guide out of Loneliness “. As a divorced dentist with three teenagers, I agree with all the discussion. I found it interesting that you did not have a man on the panel. Could it be that to admit loneliness is seen as a sign of weakness? There is physical loneliness and social loneliness that expresses itself differently. I see loneliness as being a light on an emotional fuel gauge for social energy. The key is not to focus on the light but what are the things we have to do to keep the needle as far to the right as possible. In the book I discuss there being six types of social energy: ourselves, an intimate partner, family and friends, community and purpose. We need to appreciate the potential sacredness of the one on one conversation . Thanks

[@miguel5785]

Wow you really found people with an interesting insight and things to say about loneliness. I'm surprised people are so articulate when I struggle so much to understand myself.

[@amoggitarklooru-me7si]

I am not religious, but from experience, I can share that a person who does not have God in their life and actions will always feel alone in one way or another. Believing in God helps a lot with not feeling lonely because you feel that someone else is always with you

[@samuelsingh520]

I agree

[@srikanthsv79]

Believing in ghosts does the same too

[@Epiphany_nz]

Some people like me just appreciate having some time alone. So, loneliness isn't a problem for me. I don't like crowded places and prefer it peaceful and quiet.

[@Jigyasu0007]

Anchor stole the show ❤❤❤

[@torowudang]

Excess attachement to technology is one of the main causes of loneliness

[@ramonmoodley2462]

Work takes so much of my time. I make 30,000 more than the average Canadian, and still its not enough for me to get ahead in life. When I get off work I'm usually too exhausted to do anything. Socializing after work, seems harder than my career itself, which takes up almost all my time.

[@djtrakakadrunkpoet8598]

What they're not talking about is is how people are much colder and to themselves so people are less adaptive and open to make friends. It feels like people love posting themselves having a good time and nothing else and we're constantly seeing that and feeling thats what we want

[@RKV8527]

Practice meditation and yoga which has a lot of techniques and you will start loving solitude

[@user-wq9eg3nm4c]

Solitude is different from loneliness. Solitude, in my view, is an acquired practiced state, precisely through means like yoga, meditation and the like. It doesn't impact on your health. To the contrary. Loneliness can lead to depression

[@gee_emm]

@@user-wq9eg3nm4cActually yoga and meditation are very good for your health, and can help your transmute your feelings of loneliness and depression into solitude and peace.

[@indigoechos6796]

Yeah we can preach how special you are going to be when you spend all of your time alone but it's actually not healthy we are not above our basic needs that's like saying honey you don't actually need food you are too enlightened to eat you can go without trust me

[@perseuspersikus6830]

@@RKV8527 real nice advice coming from a xenophobe

[@clairjunior5291]

It’s sad that millions of people live through experiences of other people.

[@MHMusic-Hub]

Yes, it is sad. No need to rub it in. The majority people in this world aren’t lucky or born in a developed country.

[@musicandpoetry_8]

But we don’t change or help each other, the never ending cycle

[@Rick-xp5sy]

Demand that people meet up with you and get out and enjoy yourselves, just live a life, do it!!

[@08wolfeyes]

An emotional and physical connection seems much less in those who feel lonely. While social media is part of the problem, I feel also such groups as 3rd wave feminism, MGTOW, etc. haven't helped, in fact, they are causing a divide.

[@joshuaarnejo5622]

Many people didn't understand how to balance our emotions, this will make for people to be too happy and too sad.

[@aaronmartin7086]

My family is almost gone. It's a hereditary. Death always kills our lives. Wish things could last forever.

[@amoggitarklooru-me7si]

If you can't be with yourself, with your thoughts, you will always be alone. You can be surrounded by hundreds of people, but if you are not with yourself, you will always feel divided

[@thundercatt5265]

,..some of the anxiety was caused by the older generation being selfish ,in turn it traumatized Gen Z ,on a good scale look how they were treated for speaking up for Palestine,as a fresh example,not to mention ,these last few years all the trauma inflicted and never corrected, especially during covid it led to depression, anxiety a sense of hopelessness , being heard , being put first acting as true parents and guides for the future takes away and prevents those kinda feelings of loneliness and anxiety, and that's something that's not being by done adults as a whole, I don't think they realize how much damage they have caused being so selfish rather than selfless

[@williamkinkade2538]

Gen Z : grow up and Man up..DEAL WITH IT!

[@dominicarroyo4571]

"How is lonliness epidemic affecting women in society". There fixed it.

[@nin1269]

😂 another brother noticed the same bs

[@TheVafa95]

Note how frequently the words "consuming" , "dopamine" and "hormones" are mentioned, but there's a notable absence of "love" and "care." These are fundamental human spiritual needs: to love and be loved. Unfortunately, we have desecrated the word "love." We don't know love because we cannot consume it.

[@allcatall3931]

it's not just national culture, but capitalism itself..

[@thabozzofficial]

"Therapy is a luxury", yeah lady you just hit the nail on the head. The problem with these types of conversations involving these types of disconnected professionals is that they often talk about "Going to therapy" as if it's like going to the supermarket. There's no accounting for impossibly long waiting lists, systems that are so under resourced that unless you're literally waving a gun around in the air or threatening to jump they'll intentionally find excuses to wriggle out of offering any support so as to cut costs (don't tell me or anyone else that this isn't true until you've been on the receiving end of it) and the extortionate cost of private options that exploit the hopeless situation described above for every penny. Therapy is not an option for most people, so mentioning it in such a finger-wagging patronising fashion as if we've never considered it is ridiculous...Believe it or not, apart from that, I actually really enjoyed this video and found it quite insightful. 😅👍

[@robertmaxa6631]

We've made it too easy, to not to have to interact with people. Self checkouts, Uber eats, and working from home. Personally, I can't wrap my head, around this loneliness thing. I guess, it's because I never lost my job, during the bug, I've always had the opportunity for interaction with people

[@Idowu_Balogun]

"loneliness" shouldn't be mixed up with "being alone". Its fine to want to be alone on some time but loneliness is on a psychological level...

[@reneeracine2240]

I get bullied a lot and still do because i have a disability; autism so i am pretty much hated by a lot of people, no friends, no outside world, just comfort myself with food and just cry in my bed every night. I even tried using other alternatives like computers and social media, it does not work.

[@ToddMilner-pn5ud]

Don't let people get to you,get out there in the world don't give up,you'll find your place

[@lilacvioletpurple]

I've seen or read somewhere something along the lines of "YOU CONTROL YOUR SURROUNDINGS" baisacly we have the power to control what kind of people are allowed and what kind aren't allowed in our environment. I'm not an articulate person I'm sorry just trying to pass this message that helped me. Yes I should take control of my own life and what kind of people flow in and out. And yes if it means I have to change the place I'm spending most of my days in and go to idk a book club or a painting class or social gathering about something that I'm interested in that I've seen online near my community then yeah I would go there. I would put myself in places where I want to be surrounded by people who attend these places. Example If I love reading a certain category of books I would take myself to libraries or coffee shops where I know people of similar interest will be. Another example if I had autism I would look up for communities or groups that would understand me and maybe have same circumstances as me and communicate with them. Or if I want to be an A+ student I would try to put myself in places or situations where I can interact with smart students and learn from them instead of hanging around students who don't care.... and the examples are endless, it depends on each individual and what they wish for and want to be. All I'm saying is let's not be pessimistic about things and let's take over the control of our own lives! It's hard TRUST ME I KNOW, I'm still on this journey to find people who actually add positively to my life and not make it worse. Just don't give up. In all realness we are our own worst enemies, not the idiots who bully us, belittle us, or degrade us for their own insecurities which they are just projecting onto others to make themselves feel good. Only YOU can take you out of this bad situation and choose who you surround yourself with and improve your life, NO ONE can help you but you. Trust me, I'm speaking from experience, and by all means, not at all perfect and still struggle, however I MADE THE DECISION TO CONTROL MY ENVIRONMENT not the other way around

[@reneeracine2240]

@@lilacvioletpurple ok

[@musicandpoetry_8]

Same and alcoholic too, I dance in my room alone listening to music and drinking, what a life!

[@musicandpoetry_8]

I do that when I’m not severely depressed