Loneliness

Human Nature and the Need for Social Connection

By: John T. Cacioppo, William Patrick

Narrated by: Dick Hill

John T. Cacioppo's groundbreaking research topples one of the pillars of modern medicine and psychology: the focus on the individual as the unit of inquiry. By employing brain scans, monitoring blood pressure, and analyzing immune function, he demonstrates the overpowering influence of social context - a factor so strong that it can alter DNA replication. He defines an unrecognized syndrome, chronic loneliness; brings it out of the shadow of its cousin, depression; and shows how this subjective sense of social isolation uniquely disrupts our perceptions, behavior, and physiology, becoming a trap that not only reinforces isolation but can also lead to early death. He gives the lie to the Hobbesian view of human nature as a "war of all against all," and he shows how social cooperation is, in fact, humanity's defining characteristic. Most important, he shows how we can break the trap of isolation for our benefit both as individuals and as a society.©2008 John T. Cacioppo and William Patrick (P)2008 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Top-notch science writing: stimulating and useful information conveyed in accessible prose." ( Kirkus)

Reader sounds lonely

Very slow narrative pace was painful until I sped it up to 1.75x normal.

Humans have always been social animals

In the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, we are all hurting from being isolated from each other. Do you wonder why? Do you want to do something about it? This book gives you a lot of information on how we as humans need to reach out to make those social connections all of us need.

important to read, but the reading is very dry

The information is amazing and useful.
The presentation sucks horrendously.
Will read / listen to again based on the value of the information provided.

Be Ready

Great book and information. During 2020 pandemic and being alone, this helped put life in perspective. I have good relationships and social connections, but listening to this book, I valued them more.

One strange thing happened, I went to meet up a friend visiting from Europe and on the way, I had overwhelming emotions. This book really made me think of friends who are so scared and distant from others and what could be happening to them emotionally and psychologically.

More applicable now than ever given the Pandemic

Devoured this. I've had the physical copy for 6 years and wish I had read it sooner.