Social connection and community in these "modern" times

Early in my life in Bakersfield, when I was impressed with the public-minded work a much older couple was doing, I decided to invite them for dinner at a local restaurant that served fantastic food.

The restaurant, incidentally, was a lucky outcome for us locals--it was a failed business that brought the man and his family to what Johnny Carson called the "armpit of California."  And boy did they know how to make tasty food in an awesome ambiance!

We did dine with this older couple.  And that is when I noticed something for the first time ever in my life.

The couple often looked around the room to see if they knew people there, and they did.  After having been public figures for a while in town, of course they knew people and people knew them.  I felt letdown though that they were not focused on the people with them.

In all fairness, I should also note that despite me initiating the dinner meeting, the older couple insisted on paying for the dinner, which they did.

The more I became a real adult, the less I became keen on meeting with people at restaurants.  For that roving-eyes-reason and more.  It is difficult to have meaningful conversations with all the noise in the background. And then the constant interruptions by the waitstaff.  And, finally, the reality that we cannot linger on, even if the conversation gets to be mighty interesting--the restaurant tables are very short-term rental units.

Most restaurants are open only from early evening through the night.  They have plenty of unused space for a good chunk of the day, even when the prep work happens in the back, right?

Which is why we apparently have a new format:

Restaurants are taking this to the next level as tech apps like Spacious, Reset and WorkChew turn their dining rooms into co-working offices during off-hours. Most participating restaurants only serve dinner, so they function as workspaces from 8 or 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., at which point workers must leave.
N.Y.C. Czech restaurant Bohemian Spirit has been using Spacious for about three months. It didn't take much work on their end — Spacious brought in high-powered WiFi, copious extension cords, and manages the crowds.

If you are like me, you are wondering who might ever want to use that kind of non-office as office.

About 41 million Americans (approximately 13% of the population) work as freelancers, consultants and contractors, which equals more people seeking temporary workspaces.

Why don't they simply work from their homes then?  For "the sense of community established while working alongside others."

We live in strange times.  People looking at their electronic screens sitting next to others looking at their electronic screens, and this provides them with a "sense of community."

"This points to our social nature and the fact that many feel isolated and just want to be around others," he explains. "The alternative would be working alone at home. So the mismatch idea — that our modern environment is very different than that which we evolved in — has led to people feeling isolated and desperate for 'social connection,' even if it's merely sitting around others."

Surely there are other more productive, constructive, and fun-filled ways to feel less isolated and more connected.  Even this hermit knows of a few.  Like hosting a few people for dinner that was cooked at home. Lively conversations. Laughs. Good times.