Ndtyhij

I read this short story quite some time ago (about 20 years) but it stayed with me as the theme was very memorable. I'd love to find the book that the story appears in.

The story consists of someone whose job is to write papers consisting of other people's work (like an academic, for example). Everyone seemed to do this for their work. A lot of importance is placed on all the references they must use. It is obligatory to use these. Everyone lives in their own separate rooms/houses but never go out as everything is done remotely. I thought this was "The Machine Stops" by E. M. Forster, but I don't think it is, I think it's another shorter story that is similar, not about a woman and not as long.

The main protagonist becomes suspicious about why people never meet in real life, so he decides to conduct an experiment. He organised a party (or reunion) and invites all his friends. One by one they contact him with reasons for not coming until only a few are left. I can't recall the ending of the story but it's possibly about him being left on his own at the party, or not even wanting to go himself.

Does this sound familiar to anyone?

I believe the story might be 'Huddling Place' by Clifford D. Simak, part of his 'City' series of short stories. Everyone lives in their own home out in the country; cities have been abandoned. All communication is done remotely; travel is by personal plane or 'copter, servants are robots. The main protagonist is a physician and author of a major work in the medical field. He is shown reading over papers several times. He becomes suspicious about his own inability to leave his home for very long and decides to conduct an experiment. Here's the relevant paragraph:

Webster lifted his eyes from the sheaf of papers on his desk, sniffed
the breeze, felt the- cool whisper of it on his cheek. His hand
reached out for the brandy glass, found it empty, and put it back.

He bent back above the papers once again, picked up a pencil and crossed
out a word.

Critically, he read the final paragraphs:

The fact that of the two hundred fifty men who were invited to visit me,
presumably on missions of more than ordinary importance, only three were
able to come, does not necessarily prove that all but those three are victims
of agoraphobia. Some may have had legitimate reasons for being unable
to accept my invitation. But it does indicate a growing unwillingness
of men living under the mode of Earth existence set up following the
breakup of the cities to move from familiar places, a deepening
instinct to stay among the scenes and possessions which in their mind
have become associated with contentment and graciousness of life.

Here's a link to the story: https://vdocuments.site/huddling-place.html

And to the 'City' series: https://epdf.tips/city0bc01d08b7c4e64fed52fcca64f244ca736.html