Neuralink (or, at least, the designs I've seen) would be worse than VR, and it's a little amusing to consider the idea that it might somehow directly prevent lonelinesss.

You just load up the map for the kind of lobotomy you want to simulate and say good bye to loneliness.

Turning humans into emotionless robot workers via brain implants.

If it is always-on, it’s like slavery.

If you can turn it on/off, it’s like schizophrenia.

This whole thing brings up so many practical phylosophical and ethical questions.

• Neuralink ­– or, at least, the prototypes I've seen – can't do that.

• I wouldn't let anything that could anywhere near my brain, and I doubt I'm the only one.