Hotpot

By Cross PolleNation

Eat togetherEating alone sucks, and our research supports that. For a healthy mind, let’s start with our plate, and then our company.

ConnectionLoneliness is a leading cause of death, poor health & unhappiness

- Social isolation increases mortality risk by 29%.

- Living alone increases mortality risk by 32%.

Source: Perspectives on Psychological Science

- People biologically need to connect

- Eating is traditionally a social activity

- Technology as ‘pretend’ connection

40%of adults alone during lunch/dinner feel sad, anxious or angry.

How can we foster new meaningful connections during times when they are most needed?

Includes all participants, and only emotions logged at lunch (13:00) and dinner (18:00 & 19:00)

Showing logged emotions with

significant differences

between actively

engaging with others and not,

over lunch and dinnertime.

Tota

ls lo

gged

HTWIF data

The InitiativeBook a stranger for 15-20 minutes to talk about topics not often discussed.

Subjects subversive to:

- Fears, shame, friendship, compassion.

- healthy eating, bad dates, ageing, sadness, body image

- ‘That time I…’

The InitiativeThe launch:

- Cafe beverages, snackboxes- Small spaces with:

- Tables, picnic rugs- 2 seating spaces

- Whiteboards list topic options- No phone interruptions allowed- Professional counsellors - Access to helplines and support services

The InitiativeThe launch event will happen on a weekend lunch period in public recreation locations across Australia.

- Roma Street Parklands, Brisbane

- Federation Square, Melbourne

- Dog parks

Ongoing1. A website will list 20+ topics

2. Users choose to tweet for matching topic.

3. Users arrange their own meetings.

4. Planned public events can be listed on the Hotpot website.

Example:

@XYZuser: “Anyone in Brisbane keen to chat about #worldpeace over burritos? #hotpotAU”

@hotpotAU: @XYZuser you might enjoy a #worldpeace chat with @DEFuser.

@hotpotAUhttps://invis.io/KG94IMGPB

Challenges- Shyness and social anxieties

- Option to interact anonymously

- Fear of unwanted attraction/intentions

- Culture of platonic connection across different backgrounds

- Liabilities and insurances

- Effectiveness and measurement

- Surveys on loneliness, happiness, sadness, anxiety