We have a fan up there and a radiator -  plus, we have the wall radiators on and the temperature has been around 22-26 degrees. It is crazy. It could be that I painted one of the layers too thick, but even where I k now I didn't, it is the same. I have a feeling that the batch of paint we bought had been exposed somehow, either too warm or it froze along the supply chain somewhere. 

> I'm thinking like maybe 10-15 years ago when I first started seeing the trend.

The introduction of the internet started distancing, social networks even more - on-demand entertainment was the nail in the coffin, I think. 

>Nowadays it seems the slightest disagreement on paint color, decorations, yard upkeep or politics and folks are off to divorce court.

This is the advertising revenue model at work. The internet encourages outrage as it drives clicks and shares. The platforms and news media leverage it for profit and drive polarization between groups. It is a sick system, that sets up conditions so that no one is safe, as there are always going to be a range of like/dislike at the individual level - so everyone is in constant battle on many fronts. This doesn't help build healthy communities. 

Because people subconsciously fear the arguments, they have become less social as they avoid the mess by playing games or watching Netflix and many no longer talk to strangers. How do you find a life partner, if unwilling to get to know the unknown? Oh - that doesn't matter "we don't need anyone else"....