I moved off campus for the first time this past september, and although
I'm still walking distance from both school and friends, I understand your
nostalgia.
I wonder if the isolation of which you speak is related to consumption
patterns in western society. I often feel like advertisements
(especially tv) are trying to sell me my own esteem-- like their product
will cure the problems in my life. I do think that a stronger feeling of
community would avoid this.
I also think that it is these consumption patterns, and the percieved need
for ever-increasing consumption that keeps many people from exploring an
environmental mindset. It also makes people more protective of their
posessions and therefore less likely to consider a more community-oriented
lifestyle. So the whole thing becomes circular.
Just a thought on how the things you wrote about might be related.
