Americans know and trust their neighbors less today than 10 years ago, poll says
Whether living down the street or down the hallway from one another, Americans in general know and trust their neighbors less now than they did a decade ago, according to a survey.
Twenty-six percent of U.S. adults said they know all or most of their neighbors, according to a March Pew Research Center survey. This number is down 5 percentage points from when the survey was last taken in 2018.
Seventy-four percent of Americans said they know only some or none of their neighbors, according to the survey.
In 2015, 52% of respondents said they trust all or most of their neighbors; that number is now down to 44%, the survey found.
The data is based on the American Trends Panel, which is a survey of 9,482 U.S. adults taken between March 10 and March 16. It has a margin of error of 1.4 percentage points.
The results come as Americans are increasingly reporting feeling lonely. In 2023, former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy declared an 'epidemic' of loneliness in the country.
One of the leading causes of loneliness is 'living in a society that is too individualistic,' according to researchers at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Other top causes cited by researchers were technology, not enough time with family, being overworked, mental health challenges and a lack of religious or spiritual life.
The survey also found five standout groups of Americans that are more likely to say they know and trust all or most of their neighbors compared to other groups.
These include adults ages 50 and up, white Americans, upper-income individuals, residents of rural or suburban areas, and people who attend in-person religious services at least monthly.
These groups are also more likely to say most people can generally be trusted, researchers said.
Other groups included in the survey are men and women, people ages 18-49, those with and without college degrees, lower and middle income Americans, Republicans and Democrats, and people living in urban spaces.
Republicans were more likely than Democrats to know and trust their neighbors, but researchers pointed out a caveat with the data — the differences are related to other factors like race and ethnicity and education levels.
According to the survey, more Americans, 50%, said they share the same race and ethnicity with their neighbors over education level or political views. Thirty-eight percent said they have the same level of education and 23% said they shared political views, the survey found.
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Business Insider
an hour ago
- Business Insider
An ally took control of live bombs dropped by US Air Force planes. That's never been done before.
The US Air Force recently allowed another country to take control of American bombs in flight for the first time, with F-15 Strike Eagle pilots passing control of their glide bombs over to Norwegian forces. The Norwegian Armed Forces announced the successful weapons test last week, describing it as a test of networked weapons, "weapons you can communicate with after they're fired," that delivered a "groundbreaking" result. "For the first time, the Americans have allowed another country to take control of an American bomb on its way to the target," the armed forces said. The Norwegians said that two US Air Force F-15E fighter jets flew toward Norway's coast with two American GBU-53/B glide bombs in the exercise, called Jotun Strike. Using data provided by various sensors, including those on a deployed P-8 maritime patrol aircraft, Norwegian soldiers took control of the bombs when they dropped and used a network to direct them toward targets they had selected. With the data support, the soldiers adjusted the bomb's course. Chief of the Norwegian Armed Forces' Operational Headquarters, Vice Adm. Rune Andersen, called the result of the test key to Norway maintaining a "technological lead." He added that the test highlighted the "good relationship" between the US and Norway, saying that the test was "based on a high degree of trust and integration between close allies." Capt. Brett Stell, from the 494th Fighter Squadron, US Air Force, explained that the recent exercise was "a demonstration of what warfighting looks like in the future." It proved that "a weapon launched from a US platform can be guided by a Norwegian sensor across domains and distances," he said, adding that "this level of integration shows our shared ability to conduct complex, network-enabled engagements-even in contested environments." The unprecedented exercise was not just about Europe, "it's about homeland defense forward," Stell said. "Threats to the US can originate beyond the Western Hemisphere, and our forward capabilities in the European theater are essential for early warning, rapid response, and deterrence," he said, explaining that "exercises like Jotun Strike make our collective force more lethal, more integrated, and ready to fight and win together." A new kind of weapons test Network-enabled weapons are ones that can be guided and redirected as they fly using communications networks. The armed forces said that "via a built-in radio transmitter, military personnel can communicate with the weapon after it has been fired, change its course, change the target it is going to attack, and await or abort an attack. All based on updates they receive in real time." The concept tested last month was developed in Norway with Norwegian industry, the armed forces said. Specifically, the Norwegian Battle Lab & Experimentation had been working on its concept for network weapons since 2019, with a 2025 deadline. NOBLE is a group in the Norwegian Armed Forces that is affiliated with the operational headquarters and tasked with concept development and experimentation for the military. Its network weapons concept had only previously been tested in simulations, and Col. Roger Samuelsen, the head of NOBLE, said "this was the big test." He said that "it was fantastic that this worked." "It is the first time this weapon has been released in a live version. And it was also the first time someone from the Norwegian Armed Forces tested a live network weapon." The test took place on May 14 at Andøya, a large island in Norway's northwest. The system had already been tested in the US against other simulators, Samuelsen said. He said Norway was repeatedly told it was ahead of others on this technology and that he believed that was why the US wanted to provide weapons and planes for this test. He added that he was "very excited to see if the software we have developed would work as intended, even though we have done all the preparations and tests that were possible in advance." He said the outcome means Norway "now can both plan, lead, coordinate and carry out an engagement with network weapons." Network weapons can get real-time data from external sensors, making them more likely to hit their targets. And they can be made to change course after they are fired. The Norwegian Armed Forces said the network weapons have "increased range and safety" since they don't need to see the target. Instead, they can be launched from further away and controlled, so they "can be fired at a safe distance without the platform supplying the weapon having to expose itself." It also means the target can be changed depending on what's happening and what the military wants to hit. 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Newsweek
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Touching on job security, the user described at-will employment as "not freedom—that's instability," and concluded with a striking summary: "You've normalized corporate feudalism and called it 'the American dream.'" Experts' Insight Patrice Williams Lindo, CEO of Career Nomad, told Newsweek that U.S. work culture didn't accidentally turn dystopian—it was "built this way." After decades leading organizational change at major firms like Accenture and Deloitte, Lindo now coaches professionals on reclaiming their power in the workplace. She said American work culture is sustained by corporate lobbying, a myth of meritocracy, and a legal system that offers minimal worker protections. "Employer-tied health care ensures dependence. At-will employment ensures silence. And when hustle is marketed as identity, people fear opting out will cost them everything," Lindo added. In response to whether Europeans are right to view U.S. labor norms as exploitative, Lindo was unequivocal: "Absolutely." She added that, in most of the industrialized world, things such as rest, health care, and paid parental leave are seen as rights—not luxuries. "We've normalized exploitation so thoroughly that people thank their boss for letting them log off at 6 p.m. This isn't hustle—it's harm wrapped in a motivational quote." As for why change is so difficult in the U.S., Lindo pointed to cultural values that prize grind culture, legal frameworks such as at-will employment, and economic inequality that leaves workers too burned out or fearful to resist. Still, Lindo said she sees hope. She noted growing support for reforms like four-day workweek pilots, state-level paid leave, and a surge of interest from Gen Z and professionals recovering from layoffs. "The shift isn't just policy—it's psychological," Lindo said. "People are realizing they were never lazy—they were surviving a rigged system." When asked how workers can advocate for better conditions without risking their livelihoods, Lindo added, "Visibility is the first act of resistance." She encouraged workers to document their achievements, build community, and approach advocacy as a strategy, not just a protest. "We don't need more gratitude for crumbs. We need systems that honor our brilliance without burning us alive." Reddit Reacts Many Reddit users echoed the original post's sentiments, sharing personal stories and reflections on the perceived dysfunction of U.S. labor systems. One user recalled how admiration for the U.S. has faded over time: "I'm British and 52 years old—we grew up admiring the U.S. … My then girlfriend even investigated moving but now? I'd think twice about even visiting." Another wrote that, while American wages are sometimes higher, they come with poor value: "I can get a pretty good life in Spain for less money … and I get a much better quality of life thrown in 'for free.'" 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French fries with tartar sauce? America's strangest sauce pairings
French fries with tartar sauce, scrambled eggs and barbecue sauce and pickles with buffalo sauce were found to be some of the weirdest combinations Americans love to eat. The study of 2,000 Americans divided respondents by how much they love a good sauce and how dedicated they are to making it a part of as many meals as possible. Respondents shared their other creations like Worcestershire sauce on macaroni, pita bread with honey mustard and ranch dressing in ramen noodles. Of those who enjoy eating sauce with their food regularly - even with their culinary concoctions - 79% said they're proud sauce lovers. Conducted by Talker Research for Sweet Baby Ray's, the survey found that their love for sauce shows that two-thirds of respondents shared that they've chosen a meal specifically based on what sauce they were craving (67%). According to those surveyed, sauce always belongs on french fries (73%), chicken nuggets (67%) and hot dogs (61%). For chicken wings, barbecue sauce (27%) and honey barbecue (20%) are some of the most popular. Chicken wings (59%), cheeseburgers (55%) and tacos (53%) ranked high on what respondents simply won't eat without sauce. Some foods are seen as just a vehicle to eat sauce, like french fries (68%), chicken nuggets (66%) and chicken wings (60%). Americans take their sauce so seriously that eight in 10 even agree that sauce has the power to make or break a meal (78%). Barbecue sauce is among America's top favorite sauces, with 729 respondents ranking it in their top five. When voting on their favorite sauces for different foods, barbecue sauce (30%) was found to be a must for chicken nuggets, followed by ranch (30%) and honey mustard (25%). Ketchup is easily the crowd favorite for french fries (81%), while marinara is the clear winner for mozzarella sticks (47%) - although others enjoy them with ranch (23%) or ketchup (10%). While a third of respondents agree that chicken wings belong with ranch as the best sauce (32%), 27% enjoy them with barbecue sauce as the best sauce. "Whether it's BBQ sauce, hot sauce, or ketchup, to name a few, Americans love sauce," said Dan Gollinger, brand manager at Sweet Baby Ray's. "According to the recent survey, 78% of people say sauce can make or break a meal. We understand this mindset and are shining a light on it." Currently, the average person surveyed has eight different kinds of sauce in their fridge. The survey also looked at personality differences between those who call themselves "sauce people" (61%) and those who don't. "Sauce people" are more likely to be Type A (28% vs. 22%), while those who prefer their food sauceless are more likely to be Type B (52% vs. 48%). Despite their meticulous personality type, one in five sauce lovers consider themselves to be impulsive, and are likelier to be more adventurous (73% vs. 47%). Those who eat more sauce also tend to be more likely to smile (32% vs. 28%) and laugh (23% vs. 16%) more than 10 times a day. More "sauce people" are also likelier to say they are generally "very happy" (35% vs. 28%), although non-sauce lovers tend to be likelier to have at least 25 "good days" in an average month (35% vs. 29%). The stars may also dictate your preferences, as water signs swept for the most likely to say that they're "sauce people," while Leos (10%) and Virgos (10%) are more averse to sauces on their food. "People are building entire meals around their favorite sauce. Ultimately, sauce deserves more credit," said Gollinger. "A sweet, tangy BBQ sauce can add depth to grilled meats, while a bold hot sauce can completely wake up a sandwich or salad. We like to say people should 'think sauce first.'" FOODS AMERICANS USUALLY ADD SAUCE TO French fries - 73%Chicken nuggets - 67%Hot dogs - 61%Chicken wings - 59%Cheeseburgers - 55%Tacos - 53%Nachos - 50%Deli sandwiches - 36%Pizza - 31%Vegetables - 29% Survey methodology: Talker Research surveyed 2,000 general population Americans; the survey was commissioned by Sweet Baby Ray's and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between May 15 and May 19, 2025. We are sourcing from a non-probability frame and the two main sources we use are: Traditional online access panels - where respondents opt-in to take part in online market research for an incentiveProgrammatic - where respondents are online and are given the option to take part in a survey to receive a virtual incentive usually related to the online activity they are engaging in Those who did not fit the specified sample were terminated from the survey. As the survey is fielded, dynamic online sampling is used, adjusting targeting to achieve the quotas specified as part of the sampling plan. Regardless of which sources a respondent came from, they were directed to an Online Survey, where the survey was conducted in English; a link to the questionnaire can be shared upon request. Respondents were awarded points for completing the survey. These points have a small cash-equivalent monetary value. Cells are only reported on for analysis if they have a minimum of 80 respondents, and statistical significance is calculated at the 95% level. Data is not weighted, but quotas and other parameters are put in place to reach the desired sample. Interviews are excluded from the final analysis if they failed quality-checking measures. This includes: Speeders: Respondents who complete the survey in a time that is quicker than one-third of the median length of interview are disqualified as speedersOpen ends: All verbatim responses (full open-ended questions as well as other please specify options) are checked for inappropriate or irrelevant textBots: Captcha is enabled on surveys, which allows the research team to identify and disqualify botsDuplicates: Survey software has "deduping" based on digital fingerprinting, which ensures nobody is allowed to take the survey more than once It is worth noting that this survey was only available to individuals with internet access, and the results may not be generalizable to those without internet access. The post French fries with tartar sauce? America's strangest sauce pairings appeared first on Talker. Copyright Talker News. All Rights Reserved.
