Lonely Gen Z needed this wake-up call

from Reasonably Optimistic · host The Washington Post

Gen Z has been told a lot of things about loneliness: that it’s caused by phones, social media, remote work, dating apps, the pandemic, the decline of third places and a culture that makes staying home easier than ever. But what if the more uncomfortable truth is that loneliness is also something people have to actively fight?Host Megan McArdle talks with Wall Street Journal editor Emma Camp about her essay “Loneliness Is for Cowards,” why so many young people seem afraid of embarrassment and rejection, and how to start making real friends again.Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Jul 17, 2026

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Lonely Gen Z needed this wake-up call

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