I got the same impression. The article felt like two articles hastily joined in the middle. The first was some musing on the loneliness and disconnected lives Americans now lead, with some unsupported thoughts as to why.

Then it launched into a description of the problems of a local diner owner.

The article was heavy on the heartstrings, light on the facts.

Bingo -- my parents' street, which is comprised mostly of successful professionals with post-graduate education who work full-time jobs, has excellent community spirit. It's pretty much a given that any Friday evening with warm weather, most of the adults and kids on the street will be outside having a shared meal, talking about their weeks, and so on. They call it "Firepit Fridays," and it's apparently inspired other streets in the neighborhood.

My cousins live about a mile away, and have had similar success after installing a big front porch.

It's not "energy independence," or anything like that, it simply takes an effort to get these things started, and keep them going. And you have to like your neighbors; having a front porch doesn't hurt, either.