In Boston and Reno, Nevada, bright yellow payphones invite users to 'call a Boomer' and 'call a Zoomer,' respectively. These phones, part of a project by Matter Neuroscience, aim to reduce loneliness among older and younger adults. According to Calla Kessler, a social strategist at Matter Neuroscience, the project encourages meaningful conversations between generations, shifting the brain's focus from stress to bonding. The company believes that activating cannabinoids, the brain’s feel-good neurotransmitters, can counteract the effects of cortisol, a stress hormone. Initial experiments also connected politically diverse cities, finding mostly positive reactions. The team is now collecting audio from these calls to support their research on improving mental health without pharmaceuticals.
