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Diana Senechal聽 currently teaches philosophy at Columbia Secondary School for Math, Science & Engineering.聽 Her book, Republic of Noise: The Loss of Solitude in Schools and Culture, examines ways in which individuals, schools, and culture are pushing solitude aside. It looks at what solitude is; why we need it and avoid it; and what can happen when we drive it away.聽 Photo by StudioDuda Photography.

Yiyun Li grew up in Beijing and now lives in the United States. Kinder Than Solitude, her latest novel, explores why some people choose to be alone:聽 as a way to avoid facing uncomfortable questions about the past. Her other books include A Thousand Years of Good Prayers, The Vagrants,聽 and Gold Boy, Emerald Girl. They have been translated into more than twenty languages.

Eleanor Catton was born in Canada but raised and lives in New Zealand. The winner of the prestigious 2013 Man Booker Prize, and a host of other awards, Eleanor鈥檚 second novel The Luminaries is set in 19th century New Zealand, a world littered with loners who've abandoned friends and families in search of gold.聽 But not all solitude is loneliness: 鈥業t鈥檚 dreadful to feel alone and really be alone.聽 But I love to enjoy the feeling when I am not鈥�, says one of Catton鈥檚 characters.聽 Photo 漏 Robert Catto

Diana Senechal suggests that whenever anyone clicks on a 'Like" icon (on Facebook or elsewhere), a popup should appear that reads: "Popularity is not the same as quality. Proceed anyway?鈥� The popup would cast doubt on an array of similar certainties and would help create a shyer, humbler, more inquisitive culture.聽 Sooner or later, the number of 鈥淟ikes鈥� would go down but their meaning would rise. Over time, we would witness a renaissance of meaning on the internet and in our lives.

If we want to stop wars and violence do we need to re-imagine peace first?聽 With Gabrielle Rifkind, Mary Zournazi and James Blair.