The Atlantic Out Loud Stuck In Place
Feb 23, 2025
Yoni Appelbaum, author of "Stuck in Place," explores America's decline in geographic mobility. He discusses how this stagnation is linked to reduced entrepreneurship and social connections. The conversation highlights the historical significance of Moving Day and its cultural resonance. Appelbaum dives into the effects of zoning laws on urban segregation, and he advocates for reforms to foster inclusivity and enhance economic opportunities, stressing the urgent need to revive the spirit of mobility in contemporary society.
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Mobility's Impact
- High mobility fostered American prosperity and democracy.
- It allowed individuals to choose communities, not be stuck where they were born.
Moving Day Festivities
- Moving Day was a major American holiday, symbolizing new hopes and beginnings.
- It involved a massive, coordinated exchange of residences, astonishing European observers.
Mobility and Community
- Contrary to some fears, mobility fostered community, not isolation.
- Moving forced people to build new connections and actively choose their affiliations.