Forget chatbots: research suggests reading can help combat loneliness and boost the brain

By Barbara Jacquelyn Sahakian, Professor of Clinical Neuropsychology, University of Cambridge
Christelle Langley, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Cambridge

Loneliness has become such a widespread problem that Silicon Valley billionaires are now highlighting it to market AI companions, with Mark Zuckerberg recently stating “the average American has fewer than three friends”.

This actually echoes what the World Health Organization has called a crisis of social isolation and loneliness. They report that around 25% of older adults are…

Read complete article

~	‘Politically unacceptable, morally repugnant’: UN chief calls for global ban on 'killer robots'

~	Peter Sullivan murder conviction quashed after 38 years in jail – it would be a mistake to see his case as a bizarre one-off

~	Looking for mental health or wellness advice in a book? Check the author’s credentials first

~	A law change will expand who we remember on Anzac Day – the New Zealand Wars should be included too

~	Decades of neglect: Migrant farm worker housing needs national regulatory standards

~	Justice on demand? The true crime podcasts serving up Erin Patterson’s mushroom murder trial

~	Economic pessimism is behind the drift of voters to minor parties and independents

~	Whatever happened to Barbie’s feet? Podiatrists studied 2,750 dolls to find out

~	This 6-point plan can ease Australia’s gambling problems – if our government has the guts

~	Can we confront cancel culture by finding common ground between moderate leftists and ‘wokists’?