The Lonely Century — Connection in the Modern World

This is NOT an online meeting but an in-person meeting.
Reading the book is not required.

During the book discussion the leader of the discussion presents the most interesting parts of the book. The great emphasis is placed on discussion.

Book Description
Why do so many people feel disconnected despite being more digitally connected than ever before?

In The Lonely Century, Noreena Hertz argues that loneliness is not simply an individual problem but a broader social phenomenon shaped by economic systems, technology, urban design, work culture, and changing forms of community.

The book explores how modern life has transformed the way we build relationships — from friendships and neighborhoods to workplaces and online interactions. It examines why many people report feeling isolated and what consequences this has for trust, politics, health, and society as a whole.

Rather than treating loneliness only as a personal issue, the book asks whether some aspects of contemporary life unintentionally make meaningful human connection more difficult.
At this event, we'll use the book as a starting point for a broader discussion about connection, community, and the changing structure of social life.

Discussion Topics

Are people actually becoming lonelier, or just talking about loneliness more openly? Which aspects of modern life strengthen social connection — and which weaken it?
Can online relationships substitute for in-person relationships? How much responsibility for loneliness belongs to individuals versus society?

• Why do some communities create stronger social bonds than others? What would a less lonely society look like?