You’re Not the Only One Feeling Lonely | Bill von Hippel

Why do so many people feel more isolated than ever? We live in a world with unprecedented freedom, technology, and opportunity to connect, so what gives? This week, evolutionary psychologist Bill von Hippel joins us to discuss his book The Social Paradox and explain why many of the modern conveniences we’ve worked so hard to create may also be pulling us away from one of our most basic human needs: meaningful connection.

Our hunter-gatherer past shaped our brains, but as we’ve evolved and city life and technology have taken over, humankind is experiencing a quiet evolution featuring unprecedented innovation and unexpected loneliness. Many of us feel a strong desire for independence in this fast-paced world, but that feeling could actually be undermining our long-term happiness. We find ourselves facing strange tides as, for the first time in human history, we need to take a look at all the ways, good and bad, technology is reshaping the definition of human relationships.

But we’re not telling you to throw your cell phone in the river and become a hermit. As with everything, there is a balance. We want to help you find practical ways to reconnect with your hobbies and daily life without relying solely on the device in your pocket. If you’re feeling lonely, disconnected, or just a bit off-kilter in your connections, we invite you into our groove community to listen to this episode and learn a thing or two about coming together.

Want to watch this episode? Check it out on our YouTube Channel