T.S. Eliot was already aware of the draining of a sense of shared life decades ago:
And now you live dispersed on ribbon roads,
And no man knows or cares who is his neighbor
Unless
his neighbor makes too much disturbance,
But all dash to and fro in motor cars,
Familiar
with the roads and settled nowhere.
Nor does the family even move about together,
But
every son would have his motor cycle,
And daughters ride away on casual pillions.
T.S. Eliot, Choruses from “The Rock”
The State We’re In
Modern life means neighbours often don’t
recognise each other and day-
collaboration is minimal. Research has
shown that 65% of people have nobody with
whom they can co-
and 84% don't have close relationships with
their neighbours.1 One in three people live
alone, rising to 44% of older women.2 When
people are asked what concerns them most
about the area they live, they highlight crime
and antisocial behaviour, dirty streets,
neglected open spaces, lighting and lack of
facilities for young people.3
References 1. National Lifestyle Preferences. 2006; 2 General
Household Survey 2005. 3. New Economics Foundation 2008
Anti-