Not surprising that suggesting social inequality might play a part gets you instantly downvoted. Despite being as plausible an explanation as other (more right

Not surprising that suggesting social inequality might play a part gets you instantly downvoted. Despite being as plausible an explanation as other (more right wing) possibilities - 'diversity', 'women working' that proliferate in this thread. Its uncomfortable for highly paid tech workers to accept the reality that inequality damages social cohesion. Nevertheless, If inequality is a major cause of this kind of alienation, it's a particular kind of inequality. Specifically people living in competition, and confronted by the impact of competition in close proximity. Some desperately unequal societies in South East Asia don't seem to have the same level of social dysfunction, while Japan which is relatively flat has enormous amounts of alienation, mental health issues, relationship decline, and of course suicide.