This is traditionally called “the pub” in the UK or “the bar” in the US.

Maybe it’s time for society to work on that drinking habit, eh?

That used to be called church.

Probably what we will end up with is school from home, work from home, everything from home. Socialisation will move entirely online where you meet up on VR Chat or whatever is popular at the time. Many people will almost never leave their house.

This is... demonstrably untrue? People who work from home generally aren't house-bound, they will still go to the coffee shop, the local park, local stores, meetups, pubs, bars, etc.

Sure, if you live in a very amenity-poor area WFH may in fact be quite isolating - but if anything that reinforces the main thrust of the argument: live in a city where there are things to do other than working and hanging out with coworkers!

I think it’s is quite observably already happening. We have a growing portion of anti social shut ins and the problem is only getting worse.

I think it’s realistic that social media and VR will just completely take over.

Shut-ins have always existed, at least they can be employed now. That is actually a nice pro for generally available remote work.

The Bar or Church they haven't gone away.

The church at least has gone away for an increasing segment of the population. And bars are squeezed by increased rents etc, sadly.

And, frankly, while alcohol has its place in society, it shouldn't be the basis thereof.

that's called the pub mate

India really struggles in this regard. We don’t have a widespread pub/bar culture so everyone meets out on the streets…just knots of people sitting on bikes and chatting with each other.

This is traffic nuisance but also makes the streets relatively safe (on average).

I just wish a “third place” culture would spontaneously arise if only to decongest the roads.