The Friendship Crisis No One Is Measuring

In Episode 13 of The Dark Side of the Moon, the conversation deepens with futurist and educator Tricia Friedman, exploring the fast-emerging world of companion AI and what it reveals about us.As AI companions become more sophisticated, more accessible, and more human-like, a bigger question begins to surface. Not just what the technology can do, but why people are turning to it in the first place.From loneliness and relevance in education to the mechanics of friendship, this episode unpacks a quiet shift already underway. If young people feel more heard by technology than by the systems around them, what does that say about the environments we have built?The discussion moves beyond fear and hype into something more uncomfortable. The role of friction in real relationships, the illusion of always-available support, and the growing gap between how adults and young people experience connection.For those wanting to explore this further, Tricia also shares practical signals and conversation starters to help schools and families navigate companion AI:[Tricia Friedman Resources]This is not just about AI. It is about what we might be losing, and what we have an opportunity to rebuild, before it is replaced.