The social isolation conundrum

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Chapter 14 in The Social and Legal Impact of Autonomous Vehicles, 2025, pp 169-196 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: Chapter 14 addresses the tension between social isolation and socialization, particularly in car ridership and the with advent of autonomous vehicles (AVs). The Covid pandemic has highlighted the costs and benefits of social isolation and socialization, prompting a reevaluation of our understanding of what it means to be alone or be with people. The question of how much social contact we genuinely desire as individuals, parents, employers, and society becomes crucial in this context, especially considering the potential impact of AVs on commuting patterns and the nature of human driving as a social gathering place. We draw on existing research on social isolation and socialization and our own experiences during the Covid pandemic to explore how much social contact people truly desire. We also consider the potential impact of AVs on social isolation and socialization, arguing that AVs could offer a safe and convenient way for people to travel without interacting with others.

Keywords: Economics and Finance; Environment; Geography; Law - Academic; Urban and Regional Studies (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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