The September issue of Vox’s 'The Highlight' focuses on the emergence of a 'loneliness economy,' a sector comprised of startups and services that monetize social connection. The cover story, authored by Allie Volpe, explores the trend of companies marketing themselves as solutions to the health risks associated with loneliness, which have been compared by some experts to the physical toll of smoking 15 cigarettes daily.

Volpe’s report challenges the efficacy of these commercial solutions, suggesting that they may offer a 'false promise' to consumers. The article argues that these services might be masking deeper societal symptoms rather than providing genuine community-building tools. Beyond the critique of the loneliness industry, the issue includes features on self-discovery, the ecological mysteries of the ocean’s 'twilight zone,' and the unconventional social strategy of making friends through deception. The publication positions these topics as part of a broader inquiry into human connection and self-understanding.