Discussion: What Happened to Community?

Why do so many feel isolated despite being more "connected" than ever? 🤔 Why are friendships harder to form and maintain? 👫 Join us as we explore the systemic decline of community and understand the profound shifts in our social fabric.

In this engaging session, we’ll delve into:

• 🔄 The changes in social structures over the decades.
• 💰 The impact of economic factors: commuting, housing costs, job mobility, and dual-income households.
• 🍻 The decline of "third places" like churches and local bars, and its effect on social life.
• 🔍 The new substitutes for community and why they often fall short.
• 📱 How digital platforms reshape connections and what’s missing.
• 🤝 The challenges of community formation today compared to the past.
• 🗓️ Are meetups like this one part of the solution, or just another substitute? What distinguishes genuine community from curated events?
• ❓ Is the fragmentation of community inevitable, or can we identify structural conditions for reversal?

Our Approach

We focus on analyzing systems rather than debating moral judgments. This involves examining economic structures, urban design, and technological shifts to understand the decline of community and the hollow nature of its replacements.

Format:

• 🤝 Guided discussion with a clear analytical focus
• ⏳ Approximately 120 minutes long
• 👥 Small group to ensure everyone's voice is heard

RSVP Notes:

For small group discussions, your presence matters! Not informing us of your cancellation has consequences: a first warning, followed by waitlisting, and potential removal from the group for no-shows. Please be considerate! 🙏

📍 Location: Oosterdokskade 143, 1011 AD, Amsterdam
🎟️ Get Your Tickets Here!