The Robinsons
Crusoe of the
21st Century

Why lockdown and social distancing pushes us into a deeper depression than we think.

Many people experience unprecedented changes in their lives as well as a dramatic reduction in social connections. You do not go to your office anymore. There is no longer any opportunity to spend your leisure time with friends, visit public places like parks and other places of attraction, go out for any cultural or educational events.

You are locked at home and the circle of communication consists of those one or two.., all right — three.., well — sometimes four or even five individuals who live with you. Including your cat or dog. And what if you live alone… Well, there are some friends and colleagues that you are occasionally having a call with, sharing emotions about what’s going on. But actually there is nothing else to share as we’ve got no news. We stay at home.

As one of my friends recently said, we are breaking social ties.

But perhaps the weakening of the existing social connections is not the most important thing. They will be rebuilt as soon as we all rush to freedom after lifting the restrictions.

The other issue will cause much more implications. We get no new connections.

Look at me, the head of a bank that is obliged to stay operational in any circumstances. I experience a dramatic drop down in communication and number of new contacts. I deal only with my colleagues and well-known counterparts. Mostly it happens via phone or videoconference — we know each other pretty well and that doesn’t bother us.

Still there are no new contacts, no expansion of the circle of acquaintances. I meet fewer potential candidates, the very people who could strengthen the team of the bank. I practically do not get in contact with any new business partners. I am tuned completely inside my organization. I am boiling in the broth that was cooked at the time the crises began. And there are no new ingredients to add.

What does it all mean for the economy?

This means the time lost for launching new lines of business as we do not get to know people who could bring the ideas, launch and develop them.

This means a slowdown in the development of staff potential of organizations, since we meet fewer people that could enforce our teams.

This means a significant failure in new economic ties and opportunities for cooperation — we do not attend any conferences, forums, birthdays or whatever occasions at which we could meet potential partners.

The effect of the fact that we stopped meeting new people will not be immediately visible. Now we feel only psychological discomfort. However, its impact on the economy will be long-term and will overlap with the collapsed purchasing power of the population and the massive bankruptcy of small and medium-sized businesses.

If lockdown continues, the economy recovery won’t be neither quick nor confident. No V shape for sure. The Robinsons Crusoe have been alone for too long.