Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago

---

In this episode of Underlined, Erika and Su Hawn breakdown the quote: “So I recommend that everybody here join all sorts of organizations, no matter how ridiculous, simply to get more people in his or her life.” from the book If This Isn't Nice What is? by Kurt Vonnegut. They explore loneliness at work, the decline of real connection, the limits of online community, and why joining organizations — even ridiculous ones — expands your world and why showing up in person still matters in a digital-first world.

Timestamps:
00:00 – Welcome to Underlined
00:23 – The Question: Should I Go to the Office?
01:10 – The Vonnegut Quote and Why It Matters
02:25 – Remote Work, Loneliness, and Connection
04:20 – Join Something Ridiculous: Exposure and Community
07:16 – Online Groups vs Real-Life People
09:44 – Why Showing Up Still Matters

Follow WORK here:
Substack: erikaayersbadan.substack.com
Instagram: instagram.com/workwitherika
TikTok: tiktok.com/@workwitherika

Follow Erika here:
Instagram: instagram.com/erika
TikTok: tiktok.com/@erika_
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/erikanardini
Twitter: twitter.com/erika_

Follow Work Like A Girl here:
Instagram: instagram.com/worklikeagirl
Slack Channel: join.slack.com/t/worklikeagirl/shared_invite/zt-3a7fiqzf8-NEf3DUArSMz76vTspihC5w