Sociologist Allison Pugh says human interactions matter greatly, giving dignity and a sense of purpose to people.
We need to feel that we're seen - and to see the other person.
But that's under threat.
In her new book The Last Human Job: The Work of Connecting in a Disconnected World she argues our human connections could be lost as artificial intelligence and automation become more commonplace.
Over five years she interviewed people in roles where important connections happen: a chaplain sitting with a patient as they grapple with bad medical news; therapists or hairdressers listening to clients or a teacher realising a pupil's difficulties.
Allison Pugh, who has just started in a new role as Professor of Sociology at Johns Hopkins University, speaks to Kathryn why casual conversations are important to our social fabric.
Photo: Princeton University Press
