Funny, I have always seen “work as community” to offer an illusory connection at best. At its worst it is exploited by employers.

My coworkers are my colleagues. I don’t mind sharing a beer with them once in a while, but apart from “work” we have different interests, values, and experiences. That doesn’t lead to community, it leads to having acquaintances. And if you doubt that, ask yourself how many of your “work friends” from a job you’ve had more than a year ago do you still interact with?

The pandemic has been a joy for me because it’s let me separate my parasocial interactions from my true friends.