We’re delighted to announce that our 'Lure Of…’ events at the Cockpit Theatre will be returning in 2026. These are intimate, open conversations where Byline Times contributors, readers, and supporters – along with anyone curious – come together to explore the forces shaping life in an increasingly fractured world.
On February 2nd, our first session back will be The Lure of Loneliness.
In recent years, loneliness has moved from a private feeling to a widely discussed social condition. Research shows that social circles are shrinking, particularly among younger people, even as digital platforms promise constant connection. Many of us spend more time online than ever, yet feel increasingly disconnected.
At the same time, the everyday places that once brought people together – community venues, clubs, local institutions – have quietly disappeared or become harder to access. The result is a growing sense that we’ve become disconnected, not just from one another, but from shared civic and cultural life.
Joining Byline Times Editor-in-Chief Hardeep Matharu and Co-Founder Peter Jukes, we’re excited to announce two panelists:
Iain Overton is an award-winning investigative journalist and author who has written extensively about loneliness in the era of social media and artificial intelligence. He has also reported on conflict, human rights, and the global arms trade.
Jay Griffiths is a writer, cultural critic, and author whose work explores ecology, politics, freedom, and resistance to authoritarianism. She is a regular contributor to Byline Times, writing on power, culture, and the moral consequences of political decisions.
Produced and presented by Byline Times
Join the team behind the independent investigative news outlet Byline Times for an entertaining evening of challenging discussion to help us understand the unprecedented times we are living in – and why they are happening – with those with an inside track.
Monday 2 February - 7:30pm
All under 18s should be accompanied by an adult
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