Hi! How are you?

Meeting someone through an app, in an online video game or rather not at all? The modern world offers countless ways to connect. However, finding connection with others often seems more difficult than ever.

Hi! How are you? – One of the most common conversational phrases in the world. It can be the first step towards a long-term friendship or the beginning of a romantic relationship, as well as a sentence that can get immediately lost in the digital noise. What happens in our brain and body when we talk to one another? What role do hormones, emotions and subconscious behavioural patterns play in establishing relationships? Why is getting to know someone sometimes so natural and easy, while other times we must overcome internal barriers, insecurities or fear of rejection? This non-competitive section focuses on how we get to know other people from psychological, social and neurobiological perspectives and explores why interpersonal relationships are so essential to humans. It explores human connection, online relationships and authenticity in an era where people can connect with just a click, yet finding true closeness remains a challenge. 

Karolina Matějková, Eva Suková