The Importance of Third Places in Modern Society

The declining presence of ‘third places’, the social environments that exist beyond home and work, is a significant factor affecting democracy and community life.

The Nation, rooted in its history since 1865 and founded by abolitionists, provides a critical and independent viewpoint on such issues.

In 2011, Richard Kyte, an ethics professor at Viterbo University, observed a growing sense of isolation among his colleagues. To combat this, he proposed a weekly breakfast meeting each Wednesday morning at a nearby café. The café was just five blocks from their university in La Crosse, Wisconsin.