If you’re reading this alone on your couch, phone in hand, you’re not alone—and that might be the problem. We’ve entered the “Anti-Social Century,” an era defined by record-breaking solitude. In the past two decades, Americans have spent 20% less time with each other. Still, this isn’t forced isolation; we’re actively choosing screens over conversations.
Streaming services, smartphones, and even AI friendships are changing our brains and behaviors. Too much time alone costs us dearly: anxiety and depression are skyrocketing, social skills are eroding, and democracy itself feels increasingly strained. Let’s rethink our habits and reclaim genuine human connection before our comfort zones become prisons we don’t want to leave.
Bonus: How to be happier when you’re alone.
