El siglo de la soledad

Loneliness has become the defining condition of the 21st century. It damages our health, our wealth and our happiness and even threatens our democracy. Never before has it been so ubiquitous or widespread, but never before have we had so much at our fingertips to be able to do something about it. Even before the global pandemic introduced the concept of "social distancing", the fabric of the community was unraveling and our personal relationships were threatened. And technology was not the only culprit. Equally to blame are the dismantling of civic institutions, radical reorganization of the workplace, mass migration to cities, and decades of neoliberal policies that have placed self-interest above the collective good. This is not just a mental wellness crisis. Loneliness increases our risk of heart disease, cancer, or dementia. Statistically, it is as bad for our health as smoking fifteen cigarettes a day. It also represents an economic crisis that costs us billions a year. And a political crisis, as feelings of marginalization fuel division and extremism around the world. But it is also a crisis that we have the power to resolve.