Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Thanksgiving and "social distancing"

[Sharon Villines (sharon]

> On this Thanksgiving, please consider abolishing the meme of "social
> distancing”.  [snip] It's PHYSICAL distancing.  What we need now more than 
> ever is
> social cohesion, connection, collaboration, and co housing.
> 
> This loneliness of "social distancing" will be the trauma of the century.

Another point of view — Words have both definitions and connotations. “Physical 
distancing” brings to mind “physical” things like billiard tables, bowling 
pins, and fruit trees. Distancing is inherently important to all of them. 

“Social” means people in groups. Bowling pins can distance but they can’t 
social. I can distance from bowling pins but there is no point — only the 
social can or is likely to carry the virus. If I am concerned about physical 
things, I can wear gloves and Hazmat suit. How does that play at a tea party?

“Social distancing” reminds me that “distancing" refers to groups of people, or 
even 2 people. It’s still social even if I am distanced. It doesn’t suddenly 
become physical.

The key word is “distancing.” Distancing in social situations. Distancing in 
physical situations is an impossibility — all situations are physical.

Happy Thanksgiving. It’s also my birthday!

Sharon
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Sharon Villines, Washington DC
Save Our Planet. It's the only one with chocolate.