To Connect Is to Be Human. Can We Relearn How?
In a world increasingly driven by speed, screentime, algorithms, and AI, we’re losing our ability to connect: with ourselves, with others, and with the world around us. Can anything be done about it?
In this free 75-min webinar, we’ll explore the “crisis of disconnection” in our world today––and, more importantly, what can be done about it.
You’ve likely seen the headlines:
Modern societies are experiencing record levels of loneliness
The average social media user spends 2+ hours on their device
The average young adult spends almost 50% more time alone than a decade ago
Surveys show people are experiencing record low levels of trust in others, while social and political polarization steadily increases
The solution to these challenges may seem to be, “just spend more time with other people.” But that doesn’t always work either. Socializing with others can be draining rather than energizing, leading to the paradoxical feeling of being “alone in a crowd:” near others yet not actually connected with them.
In this free 75-minute interactive session, we'll explore:
The attention economy and the brain: what constant distraction does to our focus, and to our closeness with others.
Loneliness beyond mental health: what it reveals about how we live, and how the world is responding to it.
Contemplative wisdom meeting the moment: how ancient contemplative and spiritual practices are transforming to meet the challenges of the modern era
A simple, research-based listening practice with another person to rebuild your skills for connecting with yourself, with others, and with a sense of common humanity.
Your hosts
Monika Jiang: writer and community builder working on (l)oneliness with The Oneliness Project.
Peter Bonanno: mindfulness teacher, serial entrepreneur, and principal owner at Contemplative Design Consulting.
About
This session is brought to you by Daily Connect, an evidence-based practice and global community co-founded by Monika Jiang, Peter Bonanno, Debora Gama Lima, and Siri Chandler. Every day, members meet a fellow practitioner online for 15 minutes of structured reflection and deep listening, a practice grounded in social neuroscience research at the Max Planck Society.