According to a recent study, nearly half of Americans now say they sometimes or always feel alone, and one in five says they rarely or never feel close to anyone. And researchers say that the more social media we use, the lonelier we are likely to be. Susan Spencer talks with John Francis (a man who talked to no one for 17 years), and with doctors who say loneliness can lead to increased mortality equal to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. She also meets with the founder of the "Sidewalk Talk" community listening project, where people are invited to speak out to perfect strangers.
Air Date: Feb 10, 2019
