The Economics of Loneliness — with Noreena Hertz

Loneliness

Loneliness is a pervasive issue affecting diverse groups, with certain populations experiencing it more acutely. Noreena Hertz highlights that loneliness is not just about physical isolation but also feeling unseen and unheard, which can be even more isolating 1. She shares an eye-opening experience of renting a friend in Manhattan, revealing that many professionals in tech, finance, and consulting are lonely despite being surrounded by people 2.

You can be on your own and not be lonely, and you can be very lonely amongst other people.

--- Noreena Hertz

This underscores the complexity of loneliness, where income levels, age, and gender play significant roles, with young people and women, particularly during the pandemic, being more affected 2.

   

Solutions

Addressing loneliness requires both societal and individual efforts. Noreena Hertz warns against the rise of a contactless society, where convenience is prioritized over community, leading to a loss of essential social skills 3. She emphasizes the importance of fostering in-person connections, as humans are inherently social beings who thrive on interaction.

We are trading off convenience for community and not only creating a society in which we're more lonely.

--- Noreena Hertz

Hertz also notes that loneliness is not just an issue for the elderly but affects young people, particularly young men, who often struggle to acknowledge their loneliness due to societal pressures 4.