Derek Thompson on the antisocial century

Americans are spending more time alone than ever before. Derek Thompson, author of "The Anti-Social Century" and co-author of Abundance, joins Jerusalem Demsas and Matthew Yglesias to argue that this isn't loneliness in the traditional sense. This new brand of loneliness is a choice, and Derek fears it's spreading across the world. Jerusalem presses him on whether the data actually supports the trend, and Matt talks about how social technology has helped him stay connected to friends.

Plus a peer review of a new paper on joint custody after divorce in Sweden, and why both hosts are skeptical of its headline finding.

(00:00) Why Derek Thompson is obsessed with loneliness
(05:33) Americans are choosing to be alone
(12:33) The difference between being alone and being lonely
(17:48) The studies that show forced socializing works
(32:29) Are guilty pleasures a modern phenomenon
(34:35) Why English-speaking countries are lonelier
(43:10) Is American happiness actually declining?
(47:01) Matt's case that phones make him less lonely
(52:30) Social fitness: socializing as exercise
(59:14) Weakness of the will and winter camping videos
(01:02:02) Peer review: How joint custody affects parents and kids

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The Argument is produced by Justin Zuckerman, fact-checked by Eli Richman, with music by Breakmaster Cylinder and art by Ben Tousley.