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The term ‘neighbor’ used to suggest warmth and human connection. Today?
“He waved,” Ming said. “The next door neighbor smiled at me and waved!”
“You’re kidding. We’ve lived here six years, and he’s never said a word to us,” I replied. “Are you sure that was him? I hope he’s not sick.”
We laughed when I said that, but I’m not laughing now. I’m the only adult in my house this week, and I feel lonely despite neighbors all around.
Loneliness haunts America. In the ten years to 2010, the fraction of people over age 45 reporting they were “chronically alone” jumped from 20% to 35%. Today, 47% of all Americans are lonely most of the time, despite all the digital technology that promises to connect us.
Meaningful human connection, including through our community, is critical to our emotional well being, and we’re not getting enough.
There is hope. Logan Herring, CEO of REACH Riverside is leading an effort to re-connect a poor community in Wilmington, DE. A community center designed by local teens is a centerpiece, integrated with growing civic pride through better education and healthcare. Meanwhile, CEO Dan Cohen of Daydream Apartments is helping luxury apartment neighbors connect by providing programming that draws in people from far away: Daydream does the heavy lifting for tenants’ home sharing (finding guests, and managing cleaning, programming, and payment.)
The truth is that we connect with people when we find reason to do so, and too many neighborhoods no longer provide us those reasons.
Bringing a pot of tea to a neighbor is a simple way to begin connecting with a neighbor, and we’re likely to feel stronger when we leave.
Completely transforming a neighborhood requires a clear strategy and dedication that respects our modern lives, yet the resulting connection rewards everyone.
How can you create stronger connections in your neighborhood? What are the key insights and tools that would allow you to reconnect with your neighbors?
Please share your thoughts in the comments or by sending me an email: info@RodWallacePhD.Com.
Our society cannot just survive. For the sake of our children, it must thrive.
Rod
Dr. Rod Wallace is an economist, consultant, and speaker who helps businesses make more money by solving society’s problems. A Fulbright Fellow, he has led multi-organization billion-dollar initiatives worldwide and partnered with a Silicon Valley pioneer to explore the impact of Artificial Intelligence on society.
Rod speaks about how to integrate social responsibility into business to maximize profit and purpose. He highlights digital technology’s impact on society and the strategies and tools with which business can solve our big, systemic problems.
Contact Rod at info@RodWallacePhD.com.