State organized social security means that folks have the choice to do things like not have children and can leave abusive situations without having to worry ab

State organized social security means that folks have the choice to do things like not have children and can leave abusive situations without having to worry about starving in old age: It also means that folks aren't necessarily forced to quit work to take care of their grandparents and that folks without a safety net actually have one. It doesn't reduce the need of a social network, and it is there because the 'organic' safety net doesn't work well enough. I have more social interaction because of different kinds of social media and more options for types of social interaction! I can play games with others without being at their house. I wish the internet was this developed when I was young, and am a bit envious of kids today because chances are, they can find a small group of people that don't make them feel horrible. People have been spreading fear through media since any sort of media existed. Through most of history, you couldn't call them on their bs, though, since even if you were literate, you usually didn't have access to any other source of information. You know, talking to strangers is sometimes just a cultural difference. People don't talk to strangers without reason where I am (Norway) - and I gotta tell you, it is great. I can now walk down the street without having to wave at whoever waves to me like I did in the US. Not only that, but a lot of folks talk to strangers... on the internet. Which is totally different, since you know that anyone posting on the internet wants to - in some aspect - interact with other humans. Family is only good if they are, well, good. But we've seen throughout history that family doesn't always have good intentions. Some families are abusive, both physically and sexually. Some will force strict gender roles on their kids (no, child, you can't play baseball! You are a girl and should be cleaning). Some will send kids through questionable therapies to 'fix' their queer child or beat their child for dating outside their "race". They might expect to choose your spouse for you. I mean, this stuff happens now, even with the "reduced necessity and dependence". I agree that we aren't tackling social isolation! I'm pretty sure we could let folks work less and improve everyone's standard of living by making sure the safety net is strong enough for more people to afford hobbies and playing sports and going places socially. I don't agree that automation is problem, though, but more that it is one of the solutions to making life better. The Covid-19... we are not starting from the same set of agreed upon facts here.