At the roots of the human

Psychotherapist and writer Alberto Pellai hosted by the University of Dialogue

Returning to the roots of humanity to rediscover good relationships at all levels of society, starting with youth and adults, parents and children. The University of Dialogue of Sermig inaugurated the 2025-2026 session on Wednesday, October 22nd at the Arsenale della Pace in Turin, hosting psychotherapist and writer Alberto Pellai. In the packed auditorium, Helder Camara Pellai engaged with the young people and adults in attendance, starting with his latest book, co-written with Barbara Tamborini, "Esci da quella stanza," an essay on the role of technology and the internet in educational processes.

Alberto Pellai is a physician, developmental psychotherapist, and researcher at the Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health at the University of Milan. He is the author of numerous bestselling books on parenting and psychology, which have been translated into more than fifteen countries and have won numerous awards.

Here are some food for thought offered by Pellai. For a more complete account, please see the upcoming November issue of the monthly magazine NP Nuovo Progetto.

"We need to return to fundamentals, to the common human roots that characterize us, starting with developmental age, which is a crucial time not only for children but also for the adults who must protect and accompany them as they grow. The paradox of the third millennium is that adults are removing everything that involves effort and suffering, but the result is that never before has the mental suffering of children been greater."

"Developmental age is the time when we can build who we want to be, which is why it's important. Education is about seeds and soil. We can be the fertile ground for our children's growth. A major obstacle to proper growth today is the excessively early use of smartphones, which, instead of expanding your world, restricts it to the virtual world. A teenager in the park might start playing on his smartphone and soon find it pointless to leave the house; virtual communities take him away from real life. Life is no longer outside but inside a room, with dire social and personal consequences..."

"Digital technology, with its constant stimuli, anesthetizes our inner life. Digital technology excites us, stimulates us, gratifies us, and prevents us from becoming bored. But it also excludes us from the reality that brings effort and limitations. When you leave digital, you feel a void that is the starting point of addiction. When you're so accustomed to substances that develop with excitement, you can't do without them. Hence the myth of influencers' perfection."

Years ago, when we talked about adolescence, we talked about a sense of omnipotence, even at the expense of one's health. Today, it's the opposite: adolescents feel helpless. Before, we went out with omnipotence, now we return with fear. You have to train for life: first, by understanding which playing field you need to compete on. A second element is the coaches. A good coach knows where you lack room for growth and offers you a method to improve. The third element is your teammates. Belonging to a group you live with is highly challenging. It's not the same as a community group where you don't really know anyone since everyone hides behind nicknames.

By the Unidialogo editorial team

Foto: Marco Maccarelli