"We may freak out globally, but we suffer locally"

This quote by Jonathan Franzen suggests that while we might be impacted by global concerns and occasions, the real effect is felt on a regional level. Simply put, while we might be aware of and even concerned about global problems, it is the individuals and neighborhoods in our instant environments that bear the force of these issues. This could refer to a variety of problems, from ecological crises to political conflicts. Franzen is highlighting the importance of paying attention to and resolving the problems that directly impact our own neighborhoods, instead of getting caught up in the turmoil of the bigger world.