A fascinating introduction to the science of connection that will ultimately improve your social life and lead to better relationships. In a world where everything seems to transform in a blink, anyone can suddenly find themselves scrambling for human connection. Someone who has always found it easy to connect can suddenly feel disoriented if they start a new job, move to a new region, or welcome a new member into the family.
Others may have always found it difficult to connect, feel they've outgrown their circles, or may feel dissatisfied for a range of other reasons. In Our New Social Life, social connection and
happiness experts Natalie Kerr and Jaime Kurtz explain the science behind these struggles and steer us toward timeless skills to overcome these challenges. Unlike much of the guidance found online, this book is based on decades of research, which the authors make accessible and useful to the reader, and offers tools for introverts and extraverts alike. Whether the barriers to connection are a function of modern life--such as being distracted by our devices, feeling overworked, and living far
away from loved ones--or are more timeless--such as simply not knowing how to connect, misunderstanding the thoughts and feelings of others, undervaluing moments of solitude, and avoiding the sort of
vulnerability that creates deep bonds--this book offers hope, encouragement, and relatability to help readers have a richer and more vibrant social life.
Industry Reviews
"A beautiful reminder that our humanity thrives on forming, maintaining, and restoring connections, guiding us towards resilience against loneliness." -- Stephanie Cacioppo, author of Wired for Love
"In this warm, accessible book, the authors help readers understand--and overcome--the barriers that so often prevent us from connecting with others. It will provide a valuable antidote to the current epidemic of loneliness." -- Elizabeth Dunn, author of Happy Money: The Science of Smarter Spending
"A masterful guide to deeper human connection, Our New Social Life blends cutting-edge science with practical, accessible wisdom to help anyone struggling with isolation and unfulfilling relationships. Combining innovative research with powerful storytelling, Kerr and Kurtz provide a roadmap for cultivating skills that lead to richer, more authentic bonds." -- Gary W. Lewandowski Jr., author of Stronger Than You Think: 10 Blind Spots that Undermine
Your RelationshipEL and How to See Past Them
"The authors, both experts in the field, have done a masterful job of discussing recent (and classic) research on how people can meet their social needs in the modern world and how they can overcome potential barriers to interaction with others, including with strangers and weak ties. Extremely well-written, the book provides a nice balance between the presentation of scientific findings, advice, and anecdotal examples, which the reader will appreciate. I
marveled at the ability of the authors to write a book that will likely interest the general public, while at the same time potentially serving as a supplementary academic book, perhaps to a relationships
course or social psychology course." -- Susan Sprecher, Distinguished Professor of Sociology, Illinois State University