This past week, Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut introduced the National Strategy for Social Connection Act to combat the growing “loneliness epidemic.” According to Murphy, the bill would create an executive office dedicated to loneliness along with an advisory committee that would develop a “national strategy on social connection,” issue out “researched-based best practices” for reducing loneliness, and fund research on “loneliness, social connection, [and] social infrastructure.”
If Murphy’s bill sounds familiar, that’s because the British government did the same thing five years ago when it created a “Ministry of Loneliness.” This office would also develop awareness campaigns, conduct more research, and even went one step further by organizing events for people to mingle. Although most outlets were supportive at the time, it was difficult not to note how ridiculous and profoundly sad it was.
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