ARE WE ONE?: HOW THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAS REVEALED THE IMPORTANCE OF HUMAN COOPERATION, ESPECIALLY IN MATTERS PERTAINING TO THE FUTURE STATE OF THE WORLD

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic abruptly shifted humanity’s definition of “normal life,” as populations across the globe readjusted their lifestyles in the name of health. Work, school, and other formerly in-person duties shifted to online format, and social isolation increased. Government regulations either strongly recommended or required their citizens to quarantine at home, “mask up,” get vaccinated, etc. This qualitative study depicts the pandemic experiences of six Generation Z (which will be referred to as Gen-Z from here on) young adults, which contains the age group of 18-27 years old, through video-recorded interviews. Three of the interviewees are from Tucson, Arizona, and the other three are from Paris, France. These interviews have been incorporated into a comprehensive mini-documentary which investigates any possible cross-cultural variation in pandemic experiences. Four themes guided the interview questions: government and policy; optimism levels; effects of isolation; and work attitudes. The interview responses suggest that the pandemic might have had a more isolative and divisive effect, decreasing feelings of “oneness” and “unity” with others. It also negates the original expectation of cross-cultural variation in pandemic experiences. Future studies on this topic might benefit from utilizing an experimental approach (i.e. causal or correlational) to measure whether social isolation and use of technology create human divide. It would also be advantageous to use a more representative sample with a much larger population, multiple generations, and a broader variety of countries.