1)People hate small-talk $hit. They will not go back to work so they can small-talk
2)Like to - doesn't mean it's going to go back. Plus they can save by firing Manager who used to come and "check in"
3)People will find other ways to have normalcy - no one is going to miss commuting.
4)This is a toss up. I can see it going both ways. Going to work is a drudgery for a huge swath of Americans, too.
As a counterpoint I would say MANY MANY people love and thrive in small talk and as is referenced elsewhere in this discussion, particularly engaging in that at work.
Just because these things dont make sense to you it does not mean they are not true for many people.
2 - I get managers are persona non grata on here but get real. You still need people to make decisions.
3 - I miss commuting. I listened to music and I like driving, and it gave me structure to wake up at a certain time in the morning.