[blisterpeanuts]

A common observation, yet how have things really changed? When I was riding subways, buses, and commuter trains back in the 80s-90s, everyone had their faces in books or magazines the entire ride, and there was zero interaction with their fellow riders. Maybe in some non-East Coast region, people do/did interact more; I wouldn't know.

I would further observe that in a way, people have more of a shared experience today because of social media & internet in general.

We're still social creatures, just in a different way today. Admittedly, it's different from the days of yore, when people would hang out at the general store (or bar) and chat with the general community of people who passed through. But those days ended long before the Internet came along.