Technology is enabling us to retreat from the outside world. But we should resist the urge – for ourselves and for each other

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The pandemic highlighted a societal split between introverts and extroverts, with some preferring the imposed isolation and others struggling. A significant portion of young adults even supported continued restrictions post-pandemic, influenced by personal preference and changing work habits. The convenience of online interactions and home amenities has shifted social behaviors, with many now viewing virtual experiences as viable substitutes for physical interactions. Philosophers like Pascal Bruckner argue for resisting the pull towards an overly home-bound life, emphasizing that real-world interactions and experiences are crucial for personal and societal well-being.

The introverts are winning

And still the worst thing, that shall never return, is commuting!
Spending hours in traffic (and gallons of fuel) to just show your physical presence in the office is the worst and the most demotivating factor!

As alarmist as the article might seem, it does make some valid points.
The culture of being silo-ed will get passed down eventually and next generations might take it up as a norm. But that can be a huge “might” too, future generations do tend to deviate from the norm and thats where society keeps changing, so to predict that the current behaviour might set things in stone could be a bit premature.
The article does hit hard, since post pandemic I’ve switched to working completely remote and it has led to some amount of progress in productivity at the expense of social interaction.
Perhaps it’s not as bleak, but definitely something to ponder up on.

TL;DR, but personally I’d prefer to work from home. I have all my needs met, can work on my own time schedule, and do way more in a shorter amount of time.

The “Introverts” need to win! The clarion calls for RTO emanating from companies that previously championed fully remote only throw into high relief their hypocrisy.
As someone whose role for decades has been one that can be done remotely but was stubbornly told it was not possible because of cost/security, the experience throughout the pandemic only reinforced my conviction.
I signalled quiet clearly to my then employer that a mandatory RTO would result in a parting of the ways.
I actually left to take up a hybrid post for double my rate as the rumblings started.
Contrary to the picture painted by RTO advocates, not all offices are Ally McBeal style dynamic hives of creative collaboration, more often they are drab toxic environments permeated with an ideology of presenteeism.
The idea that the return to “normal”, despite the fact that it was hardly a beneficial system for either the planet or the employed, is an insidious retrogressive step, only really benefiting those with vested interests in bringing it about.

Oh how much I regret to have those procrastination hours of talking in office kitchen, being unable to concentrate due to constant coworkers calls in open space while call cells (1,5m x 1,5m is cell and making it to look more pleasant isn’t making it any more than cell) are occupied and will never be available because 2 cells are not enough for 20 employees.
I miss all my colleagues who were forced to talk to me sorely due to situation not because there genuinely liked me.
All those pleasures building unforgettable “company culture” or “family atmosphere”