Social atomization is at an all time high. People move more frequently, have less friends, and generally feel less connected to and responsibility for the community they are in. I agree it is a general apathy and nihilism that has permeated the vast majority of people here.

The exceptions I've seen are in small pockets of upwardly mobile, generally racially homogenous suburban populations. They are like little insulated self sustaining ecosystems wherein the residents are happy and affluent, and thus treat and tip the employees of local businesses well. These are the exceptions however and it is only a matter of time before the rot spreads to them too.