# The Loneliness Epidemic: Is Big Tech the Cause AND the Cure? Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/broadcast-retirement-network-1133962/the-loneliness-epidemic-is-big-tech-the-cause-and-the-cure Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/broadcast-retirement-network-1133962/the-loneliness-epidemic-is-big-tech-the-cause-and-the-cure.md Podcast: [Broadcast Retirement Network](https://stenobird.com/podcast/broadcast-retirement-network-1133962) Published: 2026-08-31T11:30:00+00:00 Episode link: https://broadcastretirementnetwork.podbean.com/e/the-loneliness-epidemic-is-big-tech-the-cause-and-the-cure/ Audio file: https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/avsq47n9x6icdvij/08316ugay.mp3 Processing state: not_requested JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/broadcast-retirement-network-1133962/episodes/the-loneliness-epidemic-is-big-tech-the-cause-and-the-cure Duration seconds: 948 ## Resource In this thought-provoking conversation, Lawrence Quill, co-director of the Loneliness Project at San Jose State University dives deep into the modern loneliness epidemic and the surprising role technology plays as both the cause and potential cure. Drawing on ancient philosophy and cutting-edge insights, we explore why so many people—from the "feral generation" to Gen Z—feel more isolated than ever, how our phones and social media may be quietly rewiring our relationships, and whether AI companions and chatbots could genuinely ease loneliness or make it worse. ## Actions - request_transcript: `POST https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/broadcast-retirement-network-1133962/episodes/the-loneliness-epidemic-is-big-tech-the-cause-and-the-cure/transcription-requests` — Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode. - read_markdown: `GET https://stenobird.com/podcast/broadcast-retirement-network-1133962/the-loneliness-epidemic-is-big-tech-the-cause-and-the-cure.md` — Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource. A page view does not enqueue transcription. Agents should invoke `request_transcript` explicitly when they need this episode processed. ## Transcript Full transcripts are not published on public pages unless there is a clear rights basis.