I recently read “Tribe” by Sebastian Junger. The book explores the idea that modern society has lost its sense of community and close-knit ties, trading it in for an illusion of safety and an abundance of relative resources. This shift has resulted in a more isolated and self-centered society, particularly apparent in the U.S.
This idea really resonated with me, particularly when considering our discussions here about workplace culture. I've noticed numerous posts about companies claiming their employees are all “family”. It often seems like this rhetoric is used to excuse the overworking of employees—after all, we all pull together and make sacrifices for family, right?
I think its likely that subconsciously, managers may be attempting to foster this familial environment in response to an intrinsic yearning we all share for the lost sense of community and togetherness. This longing, born out of our increasingly isolated modern lifestyles, could be motivating us to grasp onto even the most token gestures of camaraderie—like a stereotypical, seemingly emotionless “pizza night”—in a desperate bid to recapture some semblance of the tribal unity we've left behind.