Q&A: Dr. Ruth on enjoying what you do and loneliness in young adults

ALL SMILES AT ASPEN LAST WEEK — AND THANKS TO THE ONLOOKER WHO TOOK THIS PHOTO! 

One of the biggest celebrities around the Aspen Ideas: Health campus last week was Dr. Ruth Westheimer. The 91-year-old media personality is best known for her work as a sex therapist — and she’s also the subject of a new documentary.  I had the chance to ask her exactly three questions, so here they are: 

How do you have so much energy? 

Because I like what I do. [Laughing.] Next question. 

What do you make of the new six-week abortion bans? 

I’m very upset. I don’t participate in politics, except I vote. If abortion is illegal again, then only women with money will be able to obtain abortions. The others will resort to abortionists and coat hangers, [which will be] terrible. And I’m very upset about funding for Planned Parenthood being so difficult. 

What’s an issue that concerns you most about young people in our country? 

I’m very concerned about loneliness among young people [and older people]. And I’m very concerned about the art of conversation getting lost — because everyone is on their phone.