Agreed. So many articles and discussions these days about how everyone is so lonely and isolated. The article seems to want to imply this system is kind of a bad thing, or at least weird, but I have trouble seeing anything but good things in it.
It’s awesome when you’re single, not so appealing once you start a family.
You no longer want to meet new people once you start a family?
you dont want to be separated from your family
You don't want to spend vacations vacations with your family? This soviet system in it's heyday was damn close to that. Especially when, for a short time, „7 workdays week“ was implemented where people worked 6 days, but the day off was on different day to keep factories running 7 days. So you may not have a day with your spouse for years :D
There are so many possibilities to go on vacations like that where everything is pre-arranged and with strangers. From fancy cruise ships to regular travel company arranged stuff.
I think the difference is the forced separation. Most people go with friends, family, groups, what not. If you go alone you are the outsider. Forcing everyone to go by themselves opens up true "stranger" vacations.
Imagine being stuck doing social activities with someone you find very unpleasant for two weeks.