61%
That’s the number of young adults who feel seriously lonely (via a @Harvard study).
A GIANT segment of the population is yearning for connection, it’s not just genZs. That’s where 3rd spaces come in.
What are 3rd spaces, and how can you build for this untapped opp?👇
The longevity benefits of social support are 2 x big compared to exercise or coffee.
What could explain?
- reduced stress
- happy hormones
- emotional support
- role models
- purpose and meaning
- support during disease
- social learning
Vila. 2021
"Millions of people suffer from loneliness. More than 300 million people globally don’t have a single friend, according to Gallup. More than 20% of people don’t have friends or family they can count on whenever they need them" - HBR
Whoever solves this will become a billionaire
when people talk about loneliness or the difficulty of making friends they focus on 1:1 connections - however the harder problem to solve but one that I think people are actually yearning is the formation of a squad
A 2021 survey indicated that Americans reported having fewer close friendships than they did 30 years ago. In my recent conversation with @arthurbrooks, we discussed why friendship is a key factor in finding and maintaining happiness as we age.
https://t.co/KiebWKYrDA
Startup Idea: I’m still waiting for a social media app that I can use with only people I know. Let me know if you’re building something in this space. I’d pay for it, and I know many people who would too. Zero ads, no gimmicks. Just connections. https://t.co/FphopKb3N6
My book is finally here and it could not be more timely. Get "Friendship in the Age of Loneliness" today! Please RT if you want more friendship in your life.
Amazon: https://t.co/xdB98FQAzH
Bookshop: https://t.co/j1GH3frEdM
About the book: https://t.co/BkCdRInaZd
9/ But the idea is too good and the timing too right for Facebook's "Sparked" to not find some measure of success.
Unafraid of big, bad Facebook and want to help build something better? Have other ideas in the social realm? We'd love to hear 'em via DM.
1 / How @Facebook, with eleventy million employees, seemingly generates no original ideas is a mystery. But despite understandable skepticism, "Sparked," its "experiment" with online video speed dating, should work. It's always been a great idea, waiting to be well-executed.
8/ Early indications (h/t @ItsJeffHiggins) is that FB's version won't be anything like that ideal. Its minimal filtering will guarantee more bad dates than your Aunt Sadie's fixups. And a 10-minute "second date" before contact details are swapped will miss the mark for most.