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Have ‘hobby’ apps become the new social networks?

theguardian.com

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Re: Have ‘hobby’ apps become the new social networks?

#11

Post by IgorPartola »

Sharing a common interest is the best way to meet lots of new people. It creates low stakes interaction opportunities and removes the creep factor (if you are at a meetup for fans of model trains along with like a dozen other people, it’s not weird that you are talking to some of them).

Better than any app, go get a hobby in person and get out there to meet people who are into it. Chances are you present yourself way better in the real world vs online. Online dating, especially the Tinder variety, really skews to work for some demographics and not others (I am not talking about gender here so much as age, location, etc.).

Re: Have ‘hobby’ apps become the new social networks?

#12

Post by supriyo-biswas »

PLenz wrote: post #8

It's a cycle. The internet started with usenet and specific interest newsgroups and niche forums a la phpbb. Then the wide open of social media. Now back to specific again. A generation from now it will shift again.

Network effects, monopolization, a lack of diverse payment models on the internet, and reduced interest in system administration have primarily lead to the centralization of communities on a few platforms, which has lead us to this problem.

If you could somehow solve 2, 3 and 4, I assume there'd be many thriving topical communities in parallel, just like the forums of yore that you speak of.

Re: Have ‘hobby’ apps become the new social networks?

#13

Post by dotancohen »

PLenz wrote: post #8

It's a cycle. The internet started with usenet and specific interest newsgroups and niche forums a la phpbb. Then the wide open of social media. Now back to specific again. A generation from now it will shift again.

  > It's a cycle
Strava is for running, too.

Lrf, guvf vf n cha.

Re: Have ‘hobby’ apps become the new social networks?

#15

Post by ethanol-brain »

PLenz wrote: post #8

It's a cycle. The internet started with usenet and specific interest newsgroups and niche forums a la phpbb. Then the wide open of social media. Now back to specific again. A generation from now it will shift again.

I have been using the internet since 1995, and I have yet to see the cycle. From where I sit, it has been more of just a steady trend toward compartmentalization and aggregation.

(Not to say that there aren't a large number of great projects off the main path.)

Re: Have ‘hobby’ apps become the new social networks?

#16

Post by dotancohen »

RcouF1uZ4gsC wrote: post #6

For a long term relationship, sex is the icing on a cake made of shared values and interests. It isn’t surprising at all that focusing on real life shared interests and values first instead of sex first would be a good strategy for finding a long term partner.

Agreed 100%.

The issue is that a long term relationship (and sex) is often considered creepy to pursue in venues not designated for that.

Re: Have ‘hobby’ apps become the new social networks?

#17

Post by mritchie712 »

marginalia_nu wrote: post #3

Can't be overstated how good having a setting centered on some common activity with low stakes social interaction is for building relationships, romantic as well as platonic. Hookup culture just isn't for everyone, and the notion that it is has been the cause of a lot of grief and agony.

especially good when that common activity isn't: we're both drinking at this bar

Re: Have ‘hobby’ apps become the new social networks?

#18

Post by etrautmann »

marginalia_nu wrote: post #3

Can't be overstated how good having a setting centered on some common activity with low stakes social interaction is for building relationships, romantic as well as platonic. Hookup culture just isn't for everyone, and the notion that it is has been the cause of a lot of grief and agony.

Yes, I’ve always loved the camaraderie around climbing gyms and the community that develops naturally when you go to a gym consistently. Romantically it’s quite hard though, if a relationship is built around an activity, there are a number of challenges if someone’s interest shifts or a big skill mismatch etc.

Re: Have ‘hobby’ apps become the new social networks?

#19

Post by andrepd »

marginalia_nu wrote: post #3

Can't be overstated how good having a setting centered on some common activity with low stakes social interaction is for building relationships, romantic as well as platonic. Hookup culture just isn't for everyone, and the notion that it is has been the cause of a lot of grief and agony.

Lack of third spaces mean people flock to those apps, especially when they're no longer in school or college. Clearly, those are poor replacements.
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