Connecting IRL: The Antidote to Loneliness
In a time of hyper connection and communication, many of us report feeling lonely and detached, and there is strong evidence that this has a toxic effect on our health and happiness. This panel will discuss what’s driving increases in social isolation and loneliness (hint: it’s not just technology) and examine scalable strategies — some unexpected — that lead to social environments that promote meaningful connections. The trick is to think not only about places where communities are formed IRL, but the people who gather there and the shared experiences that keep them coming back. Huge opportunities await entrepreneurs who can leverage this knowledge to build a future marked by connections that boost our collective health.
Programming descriptions are generated by participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of SXSW.
Julianne Holt-Lunstad
Brigham Young University
Jeremy Nobel
UnLonely Project/Harvard Medical School
Erin Peavey
HKS
Patrick Sisson
Curbed