Can We Un-Isolate Ourselves?

Societal changes and world events have converged to create our current loneliness epidemic. Despite being in constant contact in some ways, we’ve become extremely isolated in others. But by taking thoughtful action, we might be able to reverse that trend. Today’s talk from the 2025 Aspen Ideas Festival brings together experts approaching this problem from vastly different perspectives. Marc Dunkelman is a fellow in international and public affairs at Brown University, Virginia Thomas is a psychology professor studying solitude at Middlebury College, and Michael Maltzan is an architect adept at designing public spaces. As the three panelists weave their disciplines together and formulate a vision for a more connected world, journalist and host of “Radio Atlantic,” Hanna Rosin, moderates the conversation.