If you were emperor or empress for a day, and you were blessed with superhuman -- but benevolent -- powers, what would you do to eradicate loneliness?

In this, the final episode of "Is Anybody Out There?", listeners from around the United States and Europe shared their answers -- really big, bold ideas for instantly ridding the world of loneliness. These were a mix of magical, wistful, and even doable strategies, but all equally thought provoking and heartwarming in their ingenuity and scope. Most of all, it's clear that people are ready to talk about loneliness, openly and honestly, and to view it as a societal ill that needs to be addressed rather than an existential issue.

Which is why, hosts Judy and Jeremy argue, that instead of thinking of loneliness simply as an evolutionary, unavoidable experience, we must face the possibility that it's partly a modern phenomenon, born of an ever-increasing individualistic society and economic and social conditions. Now is time for policy makers, institutions and society at large to do something about it.

Links

Johann Hari

"Lost Connections: Uncovering the Real Causes of Depression – and the Unexpected Solutions"

Dr. Sam Everington

Social Prescribing

Daily Haloha

Roland Griffiths, Johns Hopkins

Look Up Movement 2020

Medicare Costs for Treating Isolated Older Adults

Dr. Vivek Murthy

"Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World"

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