Impact of Social Distancing if it stays on after pandemic

Have philosophical discussions about politics, law, and government.
Featured Article: Definition of Freedom - What Freedom Means to Me
Post Reply
gad-fly
Posts: 1133
Joined: October 23rd, 2019, 4:48 pm

Impact of Social Distancing if it stays on after pandemic

Post by gad-fly »

It may be premature, but I am afraid Social Distancing is not about to exit in conjunction with the present pandemic which will, sooner or later, be history. If Social Distancing realizes the New Normal, we should be prepared, rather than be shocked into painful submission.

By Social Distancing, i refer to keeping a safe distance between people as individuals, but not like group distancing. In nature, social distancing can be understood as keeping territory. Tigers do that, and so do leopards. Territory is comfort zone. Boundary is marked by scent of body secretion. But we humans are social animals, or more descriptive, complex social animals. We thrive in groups, like elephants and lions. Our comfort zone may be small, but it has always been around even if not noticed. Hence it would be incorrect to take social distancing as some newfangled idea. What is so worrisome is the impact of the considerable expansion of social distancing on our future. Say each person draws a circle with radius of 1 meter. Enough if everyone follows the rule. What if some does not. Safety is assured only if the radius is increase to 2 meters, as presently in vogue. The comfort/safety zone, even if reduced to a circle of 1 meter radius, can have strong if not devastating impact Financially, Religiously, Socially, and Ideologically.

Financially
If airplane, bus, train, and ship has to space passengers 2 meters apart, they will carry much fewer passengers. imagine only first class provided on plane. Travel will become very expensive, at least for me. I may as well rule out cruising in the Caribbean. Sweat shops will be out. Production lines will have to be slowed outside hearing range, but cut meat and cars will be more expensive.

Religiously
Shaking hand is out. Only waving after church service. Can the distance kept by community members be inversely proportional to member closeness and concern? Does Heaven also require distancing? Are we still a flock to follow the shepherd, or are we each seeking salvation?

Socially
Each keeping safe distance for self-preservation and security against one another. Isn't that anti-social? Embrace, kiss, and more are kept to minimum. Fewer "Give me a hug, Son. I love you." and "Girls night out". Routine work and home ,or worse, home office and talk through internet. The loss of personal contact can be devastating.

Ideologically
Take the narrow interpretation that Socialism is advocating for the welfare of community, and capitalism for that of the individual, would the entrenchment of social distancing bring forward opposing ideologies advocating for or against the social aspect of this animal.

I would welcome you to comment. Please distinguish on each of the four aspects above.
User avatar
Terrapin Station
Posts: 6227
Joined: August 23rd, 2016, 3:00 pm
Favorite Philosopher: Bertrand Russell and WVO Quine
Location: NYC Man

Re: Impact of Social Distancing if it stays on after pandemic

Post by Terrapin Station »

One thing I'd be happy about with that--and I already pleasantly noticed this during our "quarantining," is that people will actually make an effort to get out of my way when I'm walking or biking. Living in a crowded metro area as I do, people being in your way, especially when they seem oblivious to other people being around them, can become frustrating.
NukeBan
Posts: 144
Joined: April 20th, 2020, 6:24 pm

Re: Impact of Social Distancing if it stays on after pandemic

Post by NukeBan »

We totally forgot about the last pandemic, expect the same will happen here.
gad-fly
Posts: 1133
Joined: October 23rd, 2019, 4:48 pm

Re: Impact of Social Distancing if it stays on after pandemic

Post by gad-fly »

NukeBan wrote: May 1st, 2020, 8:19 pm We totally forgot about the last pandemic, expect the same will happen here.
History will repeat itself, though with a modified version. When you are hit enough, you do not forget. You learn your lesson, whether you like it or not.
NukeBan
Posts: 144
Joined: April 20th, 2020, 6:24 pm

Re: Impact of Social Distancing if it stays on after pandemic

Post by NukeBan »

gad-fly wrote: May 5th, 2020, 10:10 pmHistory will repeat itself, though with a modified version. When you are hit enough, you do not forget. You learn your lesson, whether you like it or not.
The problem is that one generation learns a lesson, and then they die. And the following generations typically have to learn the same lesson over again.

How many people alive today had even heard of the 1918 pandemic before this one hit? I was only vaguely aware of it myself.

Human beings have been attacked by viruses over and over and over again throughout history, and we rarely learn that much from the experience, as evidenced by how unprepared we were for this pandemic.
gad-fly
Posts: 1133
Joined: October 23rd, 2019, 4:48 pm

Re: Impact of Social Distancing if it stays on after pandemic

Post by gad-fly »

NukeBan wrote: May 6th, 2020, 8:01 am
gad-fly wrote: May 5th, 2020, 10:10 pmHistory will repeat itself, though with a modified version. When you are hit enough, you do not forget. You learn your lesson, whether you like it or not.
The problem is that one generation learns a lesson, and then they die. And the following generations typically have to learn the same lesson over again.

How many people alive today had even heard of the 1918 pandemic before this one hit? I was only vaguely aware of it myself.

Human beings have been attacked by viruses over and over and over again throughout history, and we rarely learn that much from the experience, as evidenced by how unprepared we were for this pandemic.
Lesson learned is passed from generation to generation, from your father to you, and from you to your kids. You were faintly aware of the 1918 pandemic because so much water has passed under the bridge since 1918. You keep the lesson in the back of your head. When the time comes, you refresh lesson from memory and from history books. You become smarter this time round. You are smarter than your ancestor in the Stone Age. This is why we study history.
User avatar
Arelle
New Trial Member
Posts: 1
Joined: July 29th, 2020, 6:07 am

Re: Impact of Social Distancing if it stays on after pandemic

Post by Arelle »

I'd like to play my part in this debate.

Even though I think you have some good points, I think you also have some weak ones. First of all, I think social distancing isn't something we'll have to get used in a long-term. Human beings are social beings, meaning we're forcing ourselves to maintain social distancing in order to protect ourselves and our beloved ones safe, not because it's more comfortable for us or because we want to.

I'd like to say, about this, that I really appreciate people able to understand that this is bigger than us right now and it's what we have to do as a community (I wanted to add this because I think some people keep thinking the "individuals' freedom" is more important and I think they're missing the point).

Anyway, I don't think social distancing is going to have a huge impact in economy, not more than the rest of consequences and measures to fight the pandemic. Financially the most, that for sure, not only on planes or public transport but also in work spaces (HR departments are going to have a huge challenge, same as schools), but religiously, socially and ideologically? I don't think so. It's a good reflection, though.
gad-fly
Posts: 1133
Joined: October 23rd, 2019, 4:48 pm

Re: Impact of Social Distancing if it stays on after pandemic

Post by gad-fly »

Arelle wrote: July 29th, 2020, 6:30 am I'd like to play my part in this debate.

Even though I think you have some good points, I think you also have some weak ones. First of all, I think social distancing isn't something we'll have to get used in a long-term. Human beings are social beings, meaning we're forcing ourselves to maintain social distancing in order to protect ourselves and our beloved ones safe, not because it's more comfortable for us or because we want to.

I'd like to say, about this, that I really appreciate people able to understand that this is bigger than us right now and it's what we have to do as a community (I wanted to add this because I think some people keep thinking the "individuals' freedom" is more important and I think they're missing the point).

Anyway, I don't think social distancing is going to have a huge impact in economy, not more than the rest of consequences and measures to fight the pandemic. Financially the most, that for sure, not only on planes or public transport but also in work spaces (HR departments are going to have a huge challenge, same as schools), but religiously, socially and ideologically? I don't think so. It's a good reflection, though.
You are right to point out that, as a social animal, we may not be that comfortable staying apart. More precisely, we have a much smaller comfortable zone than, say, the tiger. In this context, social distancing is more a statement than a measurement.

On the other hand, more often than not, we are forced by circumstance into what not "we want to". Should the circumstance vanishes, the painful experience as from the pandemic remains, lest we forget. The present question: how long will it persist, and what lesson have we learnt such that the lesson will be etched into our future?

Each pandemic is different. We have the Black Death in the Middle Ages, and the Spanish Flu. I am inclined to believe that, in conjunction with world overpopulation, modern health science, the information age, and continual affluence, the emergence of social distancing from this pandemic would have far-reaching influence on our social-economic model.
Post Reply

Return to “Philosophy of Politics”

2023/2024 Philosophy Books of the Month

Entanglement - Quantum and Otherwise

Entanglement - Quantum and Otherwise
by John K Danenbarger
January 2023

Mark Victor Hansen, Relentless: Wisdom Behind the Incomparable Chicken Soup for the Soul

Mark Victor Hansen, Relentless: Wisdom Behind the Incomparable Chicken Soup for the Soul
by Mitzi Perdue
February 2023

Rediscovering the Wisdom of Human Nature: How Civilization Destroys Happiness

Rediscovering the Wisdom of Human Nature: How Civilization Destroys Happiness
by Chet Shupe
March 2023

The Unfakeable Code®

The Unfakeable Code®
by Tony Jeton Selimi
April 2023

The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are

The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are
by Alan Watts
May 2023

Killing Abel

Killing Abel
by Michael Tieman
June 2023

Reconfigurement: Reconfiguring Your Life at Any Stage and Planning Ahead

Reconfigurement: Reconfiguring Your Life at Any Stage and Planning Ahead
by E. Alan Fleischauer
July 2023

First Survivor: The Impossible Childhood Cancer Breakthrough

First Survivor: The Impossible Childhood Cancer Breakthrough
by Mark Unger
August 2023

Predictably Irrational

Predictably Irrational
by Dan Ariely
September 2023

Artwords

Artwords
by Beatriz M. Robles
November 2023

Fireproof Happiness: Extinguishing Anxiety & Igniting Hope

Fireproof Happiness: Extinguishing Anxiety & Igniting Hope
by Dr. Randy Ross
December 2023

Beyond the Golden Door: Seeing the American Dream Through an Immigrant's Eyes

Beyond the Golden Door: Seeing the American Dream Through an Immigrant's Eyes
by Ali Master
February 2024

2022 Philosophy Books of the Month

Emotional Intelligence At Work

Emotional Intelligence At Work
by Richard M Contino & Penelope J Holt
January 2022

Free Will, Do You Have It?

Free Will, Do You Have It?
by Albertus Kral
February 2022

My Enemy in Vietnam

My Enemy in Vietnam
by Billy Springer
March 2022

2X2 on the Ark

2X2 on the Ark
by Mary J Giuffra, PhD
April 2022

The Maestro Monologue

The Maestro Monologue
by Rob White
May 2022

What Makes America Great

What Makes America Great
by Bob Dowell
June 2022

The Truth Is Beyond Belief!

The Truth Is Beyond Belief!
by Jerry Durr
July 2022

Living in Color

Living in Color
by Mike Murphy
August 2022 (tentative)

The Not So Great American Novel

The Not So Great American Novel
by James E Doucette
September 2022

Mary Jane Whiteley Coggeshall, Hicksite Quaker, Iowa/National Suffragette And Her Speeches

Mary Jane Whiteley Coggeshall, Hicksite Quaker, Iowa/National Suffragette And Her Speeches
by John N. (Jake) Ferris
October 2022

In It Together: The Beautiful Struggle Uniting Us All

In It Together: The Beautiful Struggle Uniting Us All
by Eckhart Aurelius Hughes
November 2022

The Smartest Person in the Room: The Root Cause and New Solution for Cybersecurity

The Smartest Person in the Room
by Christian Espinosa
December 2022

2021 Philosophy Books of the Month

The Biblical Clock: The Untold Secrets Linking the Universe and Humanity with God's Plan

The Biblical Clock
by Daniel Friedmann
March 2021

Wilderness Cry: A Scientific and Philosophical Approach to Understanding God and the Universe

Wilderness Cry
by Dr. Hilary L Hunt M.D.
April 2021

Fear Not, Dream Big, & Execute: Tools To Spark Your Dream And Ignite Your Follow-Through

Fear Not, Dream Big, & Execute
by Jeff Meyer
May 2021

Surviving the Business of Healthcare: Knowledge is Power

Surviving the Business of Healthcare
by Barbara Galutia Regis M.S. PA-C
June 2021

Winning the War on Cancer: The Epic Journey Towards a Natural Cure

Winning the War on Cancer
by Sylvie Beljanski
July 2021

Defining Moments of a Free Man from a Black Stream

Defining Moments of a Free Man from a Black Stream
by Dr Frank L Douglas
August 2021

If Life Stinks, Get Your Head Outta Your Buts

If Life Stinks, Get Your Head Outta Your Buts
by Mark L. Wdowiak
September 2021

The Preppers Medical Handbook

The Preppers Medical Handbook
by Dr. William W Forgey M.D.
October 2021

Natural Relief for Anxiety and Stress: A Practical Guide

Natural Relief for Anxiety and Stress
by Dr. Gustavo Kinrys, MD
November 2021

Dream For Peace: An Ambassador Memoir

Dream For Peace
by Dr. Ghoulem Berrah
December 2021