'A Brief History of Friendship': Breaking the Ice of Loneliness in the Age of Social Media

In today's increasingly busy society, with its mountain of work and the growing phenomenon of individualism, loneliness has become one of the "silent epidemics."

In * Friendship: The Evolution, Biology, and Extraordinary Power of Life's Fundamental Bond* , author Lydia Denworth helps readers find a satisfactory answer to the seemingly simple question, "Why do humans need friendship?", while simultaneously "breaking the ice" of loneliness in an age dominated by social media.

According to author Denworth, from an evolutionary perspective, friendship is not just a personal choice but a survival strategy, formed and strengthened over hundreds of thousands of years. What makes the book so compelling is how the author synthesizes numerous modern studies in biology, neuroscience, and psychology to demonstrate that friendship directly impacts both physical and mental health. People who maintain high-quality friendships tend to have better immune systems, are less prone to depression, and even live longer.

Author Denworth is known for his ability to translate complex scientific concepts into relatable, easy-to-read, and human-centered stories.

PHOTO: PUBLISHER

Furthermore, friendship helps improve resilience after trauma, reduce stress, and increase life satisfaction. Brain imaging experiments show that the presence of close friends activates areas associated with feelings of security—clear evidence of the biological value of bonding.

Warning of a growing trend of loneliness across multiple age groups.

Lydia Denworth is a renowned American science journalist, veteran editor, and author of several engaging science books. Her combination of sharp journalistic insight and deep scientific knowledge has made Denworth one of the most trusted writers in popular science.

With her book *A Brief History of Friendship - Exploring the Bonding Instincts of Humankind *, she continues to demonstrate the appeal of science when told through a refined writing style.

Cover of the book "A Brief History of Friendship - Exploring the Bonding Instincts of Humankind " (published by Bach Viet and Labor Publishing House).

PHOTO: PUBLISHER

Author Denworth also doesn't shy away from the challenges of friendship in the digital age. She analyzes the impact of social media, clarifies the line between "superficial connection" and "genuine bonding," and warns about the increasing trend of loneliness across age groups, even as we live in a constantly connected world . The scientific data she presents shows that it's not the number of friends, but the quality of those relationships that determines a person's mental health.

What makes *A Brief History of Friendship—Exploring the Instincts of Human Bonding— special is not only the knowledge it conveys but also the captivating way author Denworth tells the story. She skillfully weaves everyday examples into personal anecdotes and real-life observations, making the book both academic and vividly relatable.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/luoc-su-ve-tinh-ban-pha-bang-noi-co-don-trong-thoi-dai-mang-xa-hoi-185251210151232553.htm