Derek Thompson

where these 20-somethings or teens will celebrate in creative ways to music when a friend cancels plans, often because they're too tired or anxious to leave the house. And it's them wrapping themselves in a huge, comfy blanket and being like, oh, thank God my plans are canceled. Again, just as with introversion, some sympathy is due here.

where these 20-somethings or teens will celebrate in creative ways to music when a friend cancels plans, often because they're too tired or anxious to leave the house. And it's them wrapping themselves in a huge, comfy blanket and being like, oh, thank God my plans are canceled. Again, just as with introversion, some sympathy is due here.

where these 20-somethings or teens will celebrate in creative ways to music when a friend cancels plans, often because they're too tired or anxious to leave the house. And it's them wrapping themselves in a huge, comfy blanket and being like, oh, thank God my plans are canceled. Again, just as with introversion, some sympathy is due here.

We've all been in the position of having a dramatically overscheduled week, and then the friend cancels for Friday night, and we're like, oh, Jesus, I wanted to get to bed by 9.30 p.m. This is fantastic. But the sheer number of these videos, I think, is a little bit alarming, because this is, statistically, the most socially isolated generation ever.

We've all been in the position of having a dramatically overscheduled week, and then the friend cancels for Friday night, and we're like, oh, Jesus, I wanted to get to bed by 9.30 p.m. This is fantastic. But the sheer number of these videos, I think, is a little bit alarming, because this is, statistically, the most socially isolated generation ever.

We've all been in the position of having a dramatically overscheduled week, and then the friend cancels for Friday night, and we're like, oh, Jesus, I wanted to get to bed by 9.30 p.m. This is fantastic. But the sheer number of these videos, I think, is a little bit alarming, because this is, statistically, the most socially isolated generation ever.

in recorded history, and you see people responding to their isolation by celebrating not hanging out. What is that about? And in the piece, I talk about how I think, in many ways, our smartphones have stunted our social development. But while I encourage people to read the piece, I actually want to work out a theory that's not in the piece but that I've thought about more with you.

in recorded history, and you see people responding to their isolation by celebrating not hanging out. What is that about? And in the piece, I talk about how I think, in many ways, our smartphones have stunted our social development. But while I encourage people to read the piece, I actually want to work out a theory that's not in the piece but that I've thought about more with you.

in recorded history, and you see people responding to their isolation by celebrating not hanging out. What is that about? And in the piece, I talk about how I think, in many ways, our smartphones have stunted our social development. But while I encourage people to read the piece, I actually want to work out a theory that's not in the piece but that I've thought about more with you.

I'm reading a book called – it's the big book about dopamine. I think it's called Dopamine Nation. But it's a book about the biochemical function of dopamine. And there's this thing where if you get a huge dopamine hit – from something, you get a sort of blast of dopamine between your neurons, and then it lowers what's called the tonic level of dopamine, as if like, kind of like with a store.

I'm reading a book called – it's the big book about dopamine. I think it's called Dopamine Nation. But it's a book about the biochemical function of dopamine. And there's this thing where if you get a huge dopamine hit – from something, you get a sort of blast of dopamine between your neurons, and then it lowers what's called the tonic level of dopamine, as if like, kind of like with a store.

I'm reading a book called – it's the big book about dopamine. I think it's called Dopamine Nation. But it's a book about the biochemical function of dopamine. And there's this thing where if you get a huge dopamine hit – from something, you get a sort of blast of dopamine between your neurons, and then it lowers what's called the tonic level of dopamine, as if like, kind of like with a store.

If everyone rushes to the store and buys all of the Pottery Barn couches, there's less in inventory, and so there's just less couches in the store. It can be the same with dopamine. A rush of dopamine can reduce the amount that's available to you. And I have the following biochemical theory of what our smartphones are doing to us that I'm just going to present to you.

If everyone rushes to the store and buys all of the Pottery Barn couches, there's less in inventory, and so there's just less couches in the store. It can be the same with dopamine. A rush of dopamine can reduce the amount that's available to you. And I have the following biochemical theory of what our smartphones are doing to us that I'm just going to present to you.

If everyone rushes to the store and buys all of the Pottery Barn couches, there's less in inventory, and so there's just less couches in the store. It can be the same with dopamine. A rush of dopamine can reduce the amount that's available to you. And I have the following biochemical theory of what our smartphones are doing to us that I'm just going to present to you.

And maybe your biochemist listeners can tell me whether this is crazy or maybe on target. I think what's happening is something like this. I think people are sitting at home on couches and in bed. looking at TikTok or Instagram or Twitter, and dopamine is being flushed out of their system. They're going hit, hit, hit, hit, and they're putting their phones away.

And maybe your biochemist listeners can tell me whether this is crazy or maybe on target. I think what's happening is something like this. I think people are sitting at home on couches and in bed. looking at TikTok or Instagram or Twitter, and dopamine is being flushed out of their system. They're going hit, hit, hit, hit, and they're putting their phones away.

And maybe your biochemist listeners can tell me whether this is crazy or maybe on target. I think what's happening is something like this. I think people are sitting at home on couches and in bed. looking at TikTok or Instagram or Twitter, and dopamine is being flushed out of their system. They're going hit, hit, hit, hit, and they're putting their phones away.

And rather than feeling rejuvenated by what is definitionally leisure time, They're actually dopaminergically exhausted. So when their friends say, hey, do you want to come out? Do you want to hang out with me? They think, no, hell no. That requires an adventure in the unknown. I have to get dressed. I have to put on my makeup. I have to do my hair. I have to leave my house.

And rather than feeling rejuvenated by what is definitionally leisure time, They're actually dopaminergically exhausted. So when their friends say, hey, do you want to come out? Do you want to hang out with me? They think, no, hell no. That requires an adventure in the unknown. I have to get dressed. I have to put on my makeup. I have to do my hair. I have to leave my house.