Air Date: 6/12/2026 Today we examine how America caused a loneliness epidemic by tearing down the places where people used to find each other, how big tech is offering AI as a lackluster substitute for connection, and how people are building the opposite of loneliness with block parties, labor unions, and community gardens. Full Show Notes Transcript Be part of the show! Leave a voice message, message us on Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com...
Air Date: 6/12/2026
Today we examine how America caused a loneliness epidemic by tearing down the places where people used to find each other, how big tech is offering AI as a lackluster substitute for connection, and how people are building the opposite of loneliness with block parties, labor unions, and community gardens.
Full Show Notes
Transcript
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TOP TAKES
KP 1: How Capitalism Causes Loneliness Part 1 - Second Thought - Air Date 6-2-23
KP 2: Anthropic Discovers the Axis of Evil, and AIs Loneliness Economy - The AI Fix - Air Date 2-3-26
KP 3: The Political Economy of Love Attention, Affection, & What Capitalism Can't Buy Part 1 - Rev Left Radio - Air Date 1-19-26
KP 4: What Do We Mean by Humane Tech Part 1 - Your Undivided Attention - Air Date 6-4-26
KP 5: Stone Soup A Recipe for Community Organizing Marina Barnett Part 1 - TEDxWidenerUniversity - Air Date 10-24-22
KP 6: The Simple Habit for a Happier Social Life Nicholas Epley Part 1 - TEDTalks - Air Date 5-19-26
(00:49:32) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
Why the Left Needs to Have More Fun to Build Real Power
My commentaries on YouTube - Share them!
DEEPER DIVES
(00:59:32) SECTION A: THE LONELINESS WE LIVE IN
A1: Loneliness - Capitalism's Collateral Damage - Democracy At Work - Air Date 8-29-22
A2: How Capitalism Causes Loneliness Part 2 - Second Thought - Air Date 6-2-23
A3: Loneliness - Capitalism's Collateral Damage Part 2 - Democracy At Work - Air Date 8-29-22
A4: The Political Economy of Love Attention, Affection, & What Capitalism Can't Buy Part 2 - Rev Left Radio - Air Date 1-19-26
(01:29:54) SECTION B: AI COMPANION MACHINE
B1: Can AI Companionship Cure Loneliness – or Deepen It Part 1 - PBS NewsHour - Air Date 2-27-26
B2: People Are Lonelier Than Ever. Enter AI. - Your Undivided Attention - Air Date 5-30-25
B3: The Dark Side of AI Companions, and the 1930s LLM - The AI Fix - Air Date 5-5-26
B4: What Do We Mean by Humane Tech Part 2 - Your Undivided Attention - Air Date 6-4-26
B5: Can AI Companionship Cure Loneliness – or Deepen It Part 2 - PBS NewsHour - Air Date 2-27-26
(02:18:26) SECTION C: REFRACTIONS AND REACH-OUTS
C1: Gladiators, Real Housewives and the Pull of Reality TV Part 1 - Throughline - Air Date 4-30-26
C2: If Hope Is a Muscle, Then How Do I Build It Part 1 - How to Survive the End of the World - Air Date 4-10-26
C3: Gladiators, Real Housewives and the Pull of Reality TV Part 2 - Throughline - Air Date 4-30-26
C4: If Hope Is a Muscle, Then How Do I Build It Part 2 - How to Survive the End of the World - Air Date 4-10-26
C5: The Simple Habit for a Happier Social Life Nicholas Epley Part 2 - TEDTalks - Air Date 5-19-26
(02:58:25) SECTION D: BUILDING IT BACK
D1: Stone Soup A Recipe for Community Organizing Marina Barnett Part 2 - TEDxWidenerUniversity - Air Date 10-24-22
D2: How People Are Combatting Loneliness with Community Connections - The Newsfeed - Air Date 5-22-26
D3: Solo How Do We Make the Left Fun Again - The Bardo Podcast - Air Date 3-10-26
D4: Being Human with Marshall Ganz Part 1 - Practical Wisdom for Leaders - Air Date 5-20-26
D5: Biko Koenig, Worker Centered Allyship & Action in the Contemporary Labor Movement (Oxford UP, 2024) Part 1 - In Conversation An OUP Podcast - Air Date 3-11-26
D6: Being Human with Marshall Ganz Part 2 - Practical Wisdom for Leaders - Air Date 5-20-26
D7: Biko Koenig, Worker Centered Allyship & Action in the Contemporary Labor Movement (Oxford UP, 2024) Part 2 - In Conversation An OUP Podcast - Air Date 3-11-26
Produced by Jay! Tomlinson
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