Spotlight Special Report What is lost when strangers stop talking to each other? | The Ethical Life podcast Scott Rada Jun 17, 2026 Jun 17, 2026 0 Prefer us on Google Learn More Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save kAmkDEC@?8mtA:D@56 ad`ik^DEC@?8m w@DED #:492C5 zJE6 2?5 $4@EE #252 6IA=@C6 2 D:>A=6 BF6DE:@? E92E >2?J A6@A=6 C2C6=J DE@A E@ 4@?D:56Ci (92E 92AA6?D H96? H6 DE@A E2=<:?8 E@ DEC2?86CDnk^AmkAm%96 4@?G6CD2E:@? 368:?D H:E9 2 7C:6?5 @7 #252’D H9@ D66>D E@ 92G6 2 8:7E 7@C DEC:<:?8 FA 4@?G6CD2E:@?D H96C6G6C 96 8@6D — 2E 32==82>6D[ C6DE2FC2?ED[ 2:CA@CED 2?5 4@7766 D9@AD] %9@D6 :?E6C24E:@?D 2C6 C2C6=J 2H<H2C5 2?5 @7E6? =62G6 3@E9 A6@A=6 766=:?8 36EE6C E92? 367@C6] %92E @3D6CG2E:@? =625D E@ 2 3C@256C 5:D4FDD:@? 23@FE H9J >2?J @7 FD D66> =6DD =:<6=J E@ 6?8286 H:E9 F?72>:=:2C A6@A=6 E92? H6 @?46 H6C6]k^Am Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts kAmsC2H:?8 @? 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Many feel it's too low Popular breakfast and brunch chain opens doors on new Concord restaurant Swanee Theatre announces fall concerts and events Wells Fargo faces federal probe over loans aimed at boosting Black homeownership 3 hospitalized when horses panic and jump while pulling guests in wagon at Lazy 5 Ranch Blowing Rock's historic Green Park Inn partners with Charlotte restaurant group for fresh start Concord's loose leaf season runs from Oct. 26 through Feb. 11 What the income tax cap on your ballot would mean for what you have to pay NC EMS Trunk or Treat coming to Frank Liske Park; county plans several fall events Duke men sit atop ACC basketball preseason poll, UNC Tar Heels and NC State are in top 8 kAm%96 9@DED 2=D@ 6IA=@C6 9@H >@56C? 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E96J :?:E:2==J 2AA62C]k^Am kAm%96 6A:D@56 2=D@ 6I2>:?6D E96 3C@256C :>A24E E96D6 :?E6C24E:@?D 42? 92G6 @? 4@>>F?:E:6D] r2DF2= 4@?G6CD2E:@?D 96=A 3F:=5 ECFDE[ DEC6?8E96? D@4:2= ?6EH@C<D 2?5 C6>:?5 A6@A=6 E92E E9@D6 2C@F?5 E96> 2C6 ?@E D:>A=J DEC2?86CD[ 3FE 76==@H 9F>2? 36:?8D] zJE6 5:D4FDD6D 9@H 4@>>F?:E:6D H:E9 DEC@?86C D@4:2= 4@??64E:@?D @7E6? 4C62E6 >@C6 @AA@CEF?:E:6D 7@C 36=@?8:?8[ 7C:6?5D9:A 2?5 64@?@>:4 >@3:=:EJ]k^Am Scott Rada is a digital strategist with Lee Enterprises, and Richard Kyte is the director of the D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin. He is also the author of "Finding Your Third Place: Building Happier Communities (and Making Great Friends Along the Way)." This article was prepared with the help of AI technology using information collected and verified by journalists. 0 Comments Catch the latest in Opinion Get opinion pieces, letters and editorials sent directly to your inbox weekly! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Scott Rada Author email Follow Scott Rada Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today Related to this story Most Popular Could AI make our jobs easier but less meaningful? | The Ethical Life podcast 🎧 Automation promises greater productivity, yet workers risk losing the relationships, experience and sense of purpose that give their careers value. 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Scott Rada Author email Follow Scott Rada Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today
Could AI make our jobs easier but less meaningful? | The Ethical Life podcast 🎧 Automation promises greater productivity, yet workers risk losing the relationships, experience and sense of purpose that give their careers value.
Is gossip actually good for us? | The Ethical Life podcast 🎧 Talking about others can strengthen relationships, build trust and reinforce social norms — but knowing when to stay quiet still matters.
It’s time for lawmakers to rethink the mobile home | Emily Hamilton Manufactured housing, colloquially known as the “mobile home,” has a reputation for low quality. But that stereotype is outdated.
Is our admiration for the Amish overlooking real harm? | The Ethical Life podcast 🎧 Behind an idealized image of simplicity and community are difficult questions about education, healthcare, gender roles, individual freedom…
All hands on deck for a more civil America | Lynn Walker Gendusa My uncles, cousins, brother and nephew have served in the U.S. Navy. During wars and turbulent seas, they heard the call: “All hands on deck!”
