'Indispensable, engaging and brilliant book about the pervasiveness of loneliness in the twenty-first century and its far-reaching impact...a hopeful book that couldn't be more important or timely.' Philippa Perry, author of The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read
A radical call to arms and a bold new vision of how we must act, fast, to reconnect society at individual, government and business level, from a global economist hailed by the Observer as 'one of the world's leading thinkers'.
Professor Noreena Hertz has travelled the world to explore the loneliness epidemic first hand: 'renting a friend' in Japan, visiting co-habitation spaces in Israel and trying a week experienced entirely online. From the spread of social media and the rise of AI to the architecture of our cities and the growing elderly population, loneliness is a global issue that is affecting our health and financial security.
She takes on a world increasingly dominated by big business and consumerism, and challenges us all - and most importantly, our politicians, business leaders and economists - to take urgent action to ensure we survive and thrive in the centuries to come. The Lonely Century is a bold, game-changing book that has the power to transform how we behave.
A renowned economist examines why our hyperconnected world feels so isolating and how we can solve the crisis of loneliness. The takeaways are as relevant to our families and friendships as they are to building bridges in our neighbourhoods, schools, and workplaces.