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I think this is going to hit in waves: 1. First teens, because they don't know better 2. Next new retirees, because they lose social connection from work and

I think this is going to hit in waves: 1. First teens, because they don't know better 2. Next new retirees, because they lose social connection from work and don't appreciate that social media + TV are unsuitable replacements. 3. Next, remote workers who moved from a city to a suburb, and become progressively more physically isolated unless they make a conscious effort to connect IRL outside the home with peers. #1 is obvious. #2 is starting to hit my parents and their generation. #3 I'm seeing glimmers of and I think it will get more noticeable over time. I believe the solution is liveable cities, and a return from suburbs to higher-density living in walkable neighborhoods. People need social contact, and I think remote workers + retirees + teens would be more happy living in closer proximity to others where spontaneous social connections are possible.

bequanna 3y ago
#3: Isn't this what has happened anyway? Anecdotally, everyone I knew that was young, hip, and lived downtown moved to the surburbs once they reached a certain age.
- philip1209 3y ago
  Suburbs are a relatively recent invention, powered by cars and racism [1].So, I don't think you can say "this is how it's always been." [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoning_in_the_United_States https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoning_in_the_United_States
  - bequanna 3y ago
    Well, it seems like when you give people an option to not live in small boxes on top of one another many will take choose that option. I don’t understand why urbanites have to scream and yell about someone else’s choice to live in the suburbs.
zelon88 3y ago
You mention work several times. Work does not make people less depressed unless it is a) gainful or b) meaningful. I think a lot of it is a result of people conflating productivity with worth, and worth with satisfaction. You can be broke and completely satisfied with life, yourself, your situation. Likewise you can have great finances and still be anxious and restless and discontent. I believe comes down to expectations. Managing expectations is critical and not many people do it enough, if at all.
- philip1209 3y ago
  Work is still a social activity for most people, and it takes much of their time. It's hard to talk about suburbanization without talking about work, too. Suburbs were created so people could have an isolated home, but still go IRL to work. With remote work, they're left with an isolated home and isolated work.
xyzelement 3y ago
I am noticing an obvious exception to this among religious communities because those have an orientation around, well, community. These have built in in-person services, lifecycle events, studying, etc. It’s interesting how in previous decades all of this stuff could seem superfluous since secular people were likewise getting together in the physical space. But today it seems almost like an inoculation against a dire social illness.

bequanna 3y ago

#3: Isn't this what has happened anyway? Anecdotally, everyone I knew that was young, hip, and lived downtown moved to the surburbs once they reached a certain age.

philip1209 3y ago
Suburbs are a relatively recent invention, powered by cars and racism [1].So, I don't think you can say "this is how it's always been." [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoning_in_the_United_States https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoning_in_the_United_States
- bequanna 3y ago
  Well, it seems like when you give people an option to not live in small boxes on top of one another many will take choose that option. I don’t understand why urbanites have to scream and yell about someone else’s choice to live in the suburbs.

zelon88 3y ago

You mention work several times. Work does not make people less depressed unless it is a) gainful or b) meaningful. I think a lot of it is a result of people conflating productivity with worth, and worth with satisfaction. You can be broke and completely satisfied with life, yourself, your situation. Likewise you can have great finances and still be anxious and restless and discontent. I believe comes down to expectations. Managing expectations is critical and not many people do it enough, if at all.

philip1209 3y ago
Work is still a social activity for most people, and it takes much of their time. It's hard to talk about suburbanization without talking about work, too. Suburbs were created so people could have an isolated home, but still go IRL to work. With remote work, they're left with an isolated home and isolated work.

xyzelement 3y ago

I am noticing an obvious exception to this among religious communities because those have an orientation around, well, community. These have built in in-person services, lifecycle events, studying, etc. It’s interesting how in previous decades all of this stuff could seem superfluous since secular people were likewise getting together in the physical space. But today it seems almost like an inoculation against a dire social illness.