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Why Americans Suddenly Stopped Hanging Out

theatlantic.com

111–120 of 149 posts

Re: Why Americans Suddenly Stopped Hanging Out

#111
post #103

Earlier quoted context omitted.

[dead]

>> If a study doesn't pass the smell test, is not easily reproducible, and I have no personally trusted people who can vouch for the findings, then - yes - my feelings matter more. > Are you fucking stupid? They’re doing just that, but in the opposite direction I don't think you read what I wrote in any attempt to understand. The argument is that a person can value their own experiences more than data, and not that t…

Yes, studies and data could be wrong. But they should be countered with “better studies and data” not with smell checks and gut feelings.

Re: Why Americans Suddenly Stopped Hanging Out

#112

the restaurant prices got too high

Also, after the 2008 crash, food doesn’t taste as good at certain places. Chain restaurants that used to be really tasty, started using cheaper ingredients (theory) and just don’t taste as good as they used to and it’s more expensive.

not just cheaper ingredients, they moved towards frozen food / microwaving (I am looking at you, applebees)

Re: Why Americans Suddenly Stopped Hanging Out

#113

This feels like the "be careful what you wish for" consequence of WFH logic. Yes, you can never leave your house and do everything via Zoom! After all, why commute to a pointless office when you could be at home meeting people online? If you start thinking this way, suddenly most interactions that can be done from home start to seem like a waste of time. The question I always ask WFH advocates is this: when was the l…

After almost 4 years of WFH, I totally despise it. I miss in-person collaboration and going to lunch with coworkers. I work for an all remote company, unfortunately. I’m thinking about renting a spot at a coworking space.

Feeling the same. It’s just so soulless. Working in office wasn’t sunshine and joy all the time, but at least it wasn’t isolating.

Re: Why Americans Suddenly Stopped Hanging Out

#114

This feels like the "be careful what you wish for" consequence of WFH logic. Yes, you can never leave your house and do everything via Zoom! After all, why commute to a pointless office when you could be at home meeting people online? If you start thinking this way, suddenly most interactions that can be done from home start to seem like a waste of time. The question I always ask WFH advocates is this: when was the l…

Remote Work advocate here, remote for the last 10 years, in tech for ~23 years. Show me a person worth putting meaningful effort into to build and cultivate a relationship outside of my household and I'd put the effort in. These people are already rare, and superficial/ephemeral relationships are the norm. I have made a few friends over >20 years in tech, but most people aren't there to be your friend; the moment you…

Not everyone has to be a life long friend. It’s completely fine to be friends with someone for only a year and move on. Children become friends with someone they randomly meet at a park and will never see again.

I’ve found that almost everyone in the workplace is pretty open to socialising and usually has something interesting to tell you.

Re: Why Americans Suddenly Stopped Hanging Out

#115
I can't comment on the subject anymore, I just think if true this highlights all the "entertainment" spaces / features of real estate /home buying that are actually rarely if ever used to "entertain".

It's just aspirational bullshit. Huge decks, elaborate brick oven patios,home pools, dining rooms, etc.

I wonder if the aspirational value goes up with less actual usage in reality.

Re: Why Americans Suddenly Stopped Hanging Out

#116
post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Honestly, I wish that could become a cultural norm. As things are now it would be a kind of awkward request, but I bet it would really help if it were acceptable.

I think norm should be asking people to leave if they cannot put the phone down.

Usually when people are staring at their phone while we're hanging out I pull out my phone and send them a text message.

Re: Why Americans Suddenly Stopped Hanging Out

#117

Is anyone else bothered that the cutting edge of consumer tech seems to be focused entirely on escaping the real world, not making it better? As an example, consider how we treat it as totally normal that the big companies are focused on VR, gaming, and other individual activities that require you to shut off the world and focus on their devices. This is just…to be expected. And the idea of an Apple device that bring…

We are coming to an inflection point where people will realise tech is not serving them and there will be a large pull back.

There is already something in the water with the realisation of what social media does to people, how unhealthy online communities like reddit are, how much emotional manipulation there is in news and entertainment etc.

Cutting edge tech is great, it's the late stage capitalism and the attention economy that has soured the meal.

Re: Why Americans Suddenly Stopped Hanging Out

#118
post #50

Even though the direct effects of the pandemic have mostly disappeared, it still does not undo the years of staying at home that we have become accustomed and habituated to. Rapid inflation didn’t help, either. For those lucky enough to survive layoffs, they doubled down on work either dedicating more of their time or attempted to insulate their risk by becoming overemployed. Those who have time for friend outings ma…

Most seem to have tricked themselves into believing otherwise, but unfortunately COVID and its risks are far from over.

https://www.thegauntlet.news/p/how-the-press-manufactured-co...

https://whn.global/scientific/covid19-immune-dysregulation/

https://whn.global/scientific/covid-effects-on-the-brain-a-s...

Stay safe out there.

Re: Why Americans Suddenly Stopped Hanging Out

#119

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Remote Work advocate here, remote for the last 10 years, in tech for ~23 years. Show me a person worth putting meaningful effort into to build and cultivate a relationship outside of my household and I'd put the effort in. These people are already rare, and superficial/ephemeral relationships are the norm. I have made a few friends over >20 years in tech, but most people aren't there to be your friend; the moment you…

Not everyone has to be a life long friend. It’s completely fine to be friends with someone for only a year and move on. Children become friends with someone they randomly meet at a park and will never see again. I’ve found that almost everyone in the workplace is pretty open to socialising and usually has something interesting to tell you.

[deleted]

Re: Why Americans Suddenly Stopped Hanging Out

#120
post #65

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Some substances at least make people more social or more engaged and empathetic. Any drug that makes someone stare at their lap and not respond to outside stimulus is probably bad for social settings. I don't do drugs (anymore) but I enjoy hanging out with people who can use drugs and be social.

Ketamine?

Are you asking about this with regards to it being used socially? Depends on the environment and the people obviously, but in the places I'm exposed to it (underground electronic music events) I know many people who are still able to function socially while using it. Yes they're high, but they don't consume enough to fall into a k-hole.
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