About this episode
Derek Thompson discusses the impact of digital communication on social interactions and the loneliness epidemic in America.
We’ve heard a lot about the loneliness epidemic in this country, but it might be worth asking: Do we even like spending time with people anymore? Derek Thompson, staff writer at The Atlantic, joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the phenomenon where we’re on our phones but digitally surrounded by people, and how this isolation is rewiring us to be more anti-social – including in both our personal relationships and political lives. His article is “The Anti-Social Century.” This episode originally aired February, 6th 2025. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices
People in this episode
Host: Krys Boyd
Guest: Derek Thompson
Topics covered
- loneliness
- social interaction
- digital communication
- anti-social behavior
- personal relationships
- political lives
Keywords
- loneliness epidemic
- social interaction
- digital communication
- anti-social behavior
- personal relationships
- political isolation
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: The Atlantic
Books & works: The Anti-Social Century
More episodes of Think from KERA
- The secular saints of Civil Rights · June 12, 2026 · 47 min
- Soccer is expensive, but it doesn’t make money · June 11, 2026 · 46 min
- Pope Leo finds his voice · June 10, 2026 · 46 min
- The pathogens thriving because of climate change · June 9, 2026 · 47 min
- The drug that's deadlier than opioids · June 8, 2026 · 47 min
- The heart and heartbreak of the American South · June 5, 2026 · 46 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Think from KERA podcast page.