Psychology

Whether we look at the rioters who converged on the capital, the Gamestop Redditors, Incels or Qanon followers, what they have in common is that they're groups of people who are lonely and craving community. That fundamental need for human connection is missing for significant swathes of our population, and that's dangerous.

Economist & Author on Globalization, Corporate Power & Digital Society

Loneliness is thought to be as bad for our health as smoking 15 cigarettes per day. If you're lonely, you have a 32% higher chance of getting a stroke, a 29% higher chance of having heart disease and 30% higher chance of dying prematurely.

Economist & Author on Globalization, Corporate Power & Digital Society

Loneliness very much defines what this century has become. It's a feeling of being disconnected from our government, our fellow citizens and our employer. That feeling of being invisible, unseen and unheard occurs not just from those we are closest to but also from our workplace and state.

Economist & Author on Globalization, Corporate Power & Digital Society

When we create digital faces, they have to look and behave organically- they have to trigger that part of your brain that starts to think about what that 'person' would be like.

Creator of AI baby "Baby X" & facial animation technology pioneer

The story is told sincerely, but the cumulative effect is misleading – a subconsciously organised trick.

In the West, we say things like, 'human connection is very important' but in reality, human existence is connection and when we lack the right kind of webs of connection with each other, we cease to exist.

Connection is not a nice to have. When we lose the right kinds of connections with others, we start to feel we don't exist.

The most corrupting idea about power is that it gives you a set of techniques to enable you to get more of what you want, no questions asked. If we think about power in that way, our soul will get eroded.

I could have been born in the third century as a goat herder in Mongolia, or even as a goat. This is the realization that should open up a mental horizon where we can say, 'I know I'm going to die – maybe in the future, maybe in the next few minutes – and therefore every minute I'm here is precious.'

Terror Management Theory researcher & social psychologist

At the risk of being glib, in the United States, most of the narcissistic sociopaths are also devoutly religious...

Terror Management Theory researcher & social psychologist

Without what Becker called 'cultural world views' we would be overwhelmed by existential terror. Beliefs about reality that we share foster psychological equanimity by giving us a sense of meaning and value.

Terror Management Theory researcher & social psychologist

We're breathing, defecating pieces of meat that are no more significant or enduring than lizards or potatoes.

Terror Management Theory researcher & social psychologist

I had to remain in war mode. I had to continue confronting my captors, not accept what was happening to me. The relationship I had with my captors was based on suspicion.

Former Colombian Presidential Candidate & Hostage Rescue Survivor

I have always thought that if you are abducted for a week, 2 weeks, even a month- you don't know what abduction is. It's only after a certain time that you understand the weight of abduction.

Former Colombian Presidential Candidate & Hostage Rescue Survivor

My mindset changed from thinking that tomorrow I may be freed, to realising that unless I did something myself, nobody would come and rescue me.

Former Colombian Presidential Candidate & Hostage Rescue Survivor

At some point, corruption destroys the trust in a society so much that it has an impact on unity, and the social fabric of a country or nation. It affects wellbeing. It affects the capacity of a nation to be happy.

Former Colombian Presidential Candidate & Hostage Rescue Survivor