Community and connection project

What IdeaVerse is about

We meet usually once a month to discuss some of the current challenges as well and perhaps come up with new ideas on how to overcome them. For those who came regularly, this next meetup would be slightly different. We will do a workshop on solving real world problems.

The problem we will attempt to solve is the dissolution of communities and spaces where people connect in person, and with it, our increased isolation and loneliness.

There are many reasons why this is happening:
- replacement of religion with science as a beacon of meaning, which seems to be much less great at inspiring connection;
- economic forces boosting our ego, and make it easier to pay for random strangers for help then making lasting connections with people.
- political polarization
- (anti)social media (as I call it) and now AI offering simulations of relationships.
- climate change increasing our distrust in a better future and the importance of investing in life and people.
- closing down of third spaces like churches, malls and retail stores (due to online shopping), youth centers and increase in remote work.

These are all causes we'll explore, together with examples of how other people expressed they feel about this issue from research, reasons why this issue exists as well as examples of small victories against this tide.

We'll work in small groups putting all this knowledge together with out imagination and attempt to find local solutions to similar problems here in Prague.

This is is more than a discussion. It's an exploration of our ability to work together to effect change in ourselves and in our social circles.

Some suggested reading/watching:

1. "Contrary to the perception that isolation and loneliness primarily affect older people in high-income countries, they impact the health and well-being of all age groups across the world. One in four older people experience social isolation and the rates are broadly similar