This Is How You Design Belonging in a Lonely World | Candy Chang

Added: 2026-05-26

[00:00:00]Loneliness epidemic is becoming the biggest threat to our public health.

[00:00:03]Many of us have lost any sense of accord or rhythm with the people around us. I did an experiment here just a few years ago as part of an exhibit on the history of walls at the Annenberg Space for Photography where visitors were invited to respond to a question. What is blocking your path? I don't know if I belong, my fear of letting people in, being afraid to ask for the care and support I need. The walls I put up to protect myself. Maybe I don't need those anymore. And I think this is in part because of social media.

[00:00:37]And I think it's also one of the outcomes of an individualistic society.

[00:00:42]And when our public sentiments are always graded by likes, it's very hard to be honest. So in our exhausted isolation, we escape. We think we're the only one struggling and we retreat.

[00:00:57]But we don't want to. Makes me think, you know, there is so much we could gain by seeing everyone else's struggles and how they have endured. And I think it's impressively powerful just knowing that you're not alone and it helps encourage me to face my own confusions.