I was inspired by today's XKCD text:
"Scientists occasionally invent alternative periodic table layouts, which is usually a sign that
they don't have enough enrichment in their enclosures." (emphasis mine)
If we spend nearly all of our time alone, what kinds of "enrichment" do we need to keep ourselves from going crazy?
I assume ethical research here would be difficult to find, but it seems like there could be observational studies of prisoners, scientists at isolated outposts, etc. I wonder how many work-from-home people are keeping themselves in conditions that would be considered unethical if those conditions were forced on them.
(I'm not doing as badly as this post would imply -- it's just a slow Friday here
)
EDIT:
People seem to be really fixating on the prison thing. It was an example of a place where people can feel isolation and still be monitored. I am aware that my home is not a prison.
I work from home. I like working from home. Sometimes I get lonely or bored, and I wondered what science said I should do to ensure I'm having the best experience possible.
@LurkingLuddite@piefed.social nailed the intent of my question. It was meant to ask about research-backed positive things that people should ensure they are doing.
02-06-2026 06:10:02
I don't see why people would keep themselves like that. I regularly speak with neighbors and walk my dog and go to parks and you know shopping and such. Non of that comes close to isolated scientists or prisoners. Im no more isolated when I work from home than working in an office. I mean I guess there is the commute but its not like I talk with people on the busses or trains all that often. Although it does happen on occasion.
02-06-2026 06:25:49
Thanks for this! You understood the intent of my question perfectly. I was expecting this thread to be a lot more fun and full of interesting, research-supported tips and guidelines. Apparently, people thought I meant my question a different way.
02-06-2026 07:36:57
I don't consider my home anything like prison. I'm not isolated. I just don't have to be in person with work people. Has no effect on my social life. And actually I get more work done because I'm not constantly interrupted. It's no different than before cubicles and open office plans when people could close their office door. Remote work is absolutely nothing like isolation or even close to the lack of freedom and constant danger that makes prison so horrible.
02-06-2026 10:04:11
They're asking for studies in general. There are ABSOLUTELY more studies than "adverse" studies. There are plenty of exploratory studies from old psych and space travel studies about isolation from basically all decades since the space race. Besides, isolation is unquestionably an 'adverse' condition for even extreme introverts at a certain point. A point that is reachable for a reclusive WFH type.
Besides general studies, there have also been many across the world thanks to covid lockdowns. Not just observations, but actual studies on what happened.
Of course WFH isn't _inherently_ bad. That's not what they're implying or asking about. They're asking for data on what has been shown to be concerning or difficult, not opinions on what those things might be.
In fact, they're almost asking the _opposite:_ What _enrichment_ do most humans end up needing more of in such situations vs only asking what makes the situation tough.
It's the difference between asking, "what does a healthy diet look like?" vs, "what does mcdonnalds do to your body?"
02-06-2026 13:01:59
These studies only reflect the effects of
adverse conditions on mental health. If the person in question considers remote work to be the same as being in prison or something similar, the problem is with the person, not remote work.
02-06-2026 16:08:31
Lemmy
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