Loneliness: Human Nature And The Need For Social Connection (2008) - Plot & Excerpts
A fantastic book revealing the intricate nature of human social needs. Cacioppo & Patrick discusses loneliness based on social psychology and biological (incl. genetics & neurology) research. The first two sections explain how loneliness affects the physical/emotional/social part of our being while the third section focuses on ways to increase social connections. One of the reasons that I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book is the authors' delivery of a balanced discussion; integrating all parts that makes us human. Well, even though strictly this book is not self-help, I treat it as such because of the last two chapters, which deal with how to "EASE your way into social connection". The book itself is a very interesting book. Although at times its underlying sentiments may sound corny and old-fashioned, the book rings true for me. I was especially struck at how many strands of thinking converge into the old maxim of "do unto others what you would like to be done to you", and that all these roads may unite because the underlying biological/physiological mechanism is written by natural selection. The book gave me a lot to think about, and it helps me understand my own loneliness better. Now I am even more sure of my career choice to be a doctor than before, since it will help me to focus on others instead of on myself. Very recommended for jaded people with more than a healthy streak of misanthropy (case in point: me).
What do You think about Loneliness: Human Nature And The Need For Social Connection (2008)?
Audiobook Version. This book was too dense to listen to, although the content seemed interesting.
—Lex
Secretly, a self-help book hidden among neuroscience prose and monkey-experiment narrative.
—Tunedin
