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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?

#61

Post by tchock23 »

xiaoxiong wrote: post #49

Strava is the only social network I’m on anymore, and I pair it with a number of weekly, in person group rides. It’s a great way to maintain connections, and a wonderful source of encouragement. Typical social network dopamine hits probably aren’t great for your health, but when it’s paired with 100 miles of exercise, I think it has a net positive. I’ll definitely admit to pushing myself further than I typically woul…

I find Strava is also helpful for solo activities that aren't in-person. Knowing that an IRL friend/follower will see my activity pushes me to work harder.

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

#62

Post by mhh__ »

SunlitCat wrote: post #57
mhh__ wrote: post #28

Anecdotally run clubs are the dance halls of today (i.e. go to meet women)

Actually many sport activities seem to be largely women based, which kinda says much about men not really caring about their health. :)

Hence the arbitrage.

A very attractive mild acquaintance was either bored or lonely or whatever and set up her own run club, one guy showed up. Without wishing to think like a PUA these are good odds.

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

#63

Post by tchock23 »

Gualdrapo wrote: post #4

I do use Strava a lot to record my rides and stuff, and even more since I could afford a Wahoo - but I really hate the 'social' side of Strava. It tries to make you 'competitive' so hard. Granted, as a professional loser I'd like to find someone that likes cycling too, though cycling alone is great too - still, I'd rather find that person in one of those rides than in some weird thing like Strava fly-by's or somethin…

Don't ever sign up for Zwift then. Zwift makes Strava look like an app made for introverts.

On Zwift your followers can be automatically notified when you start a ride, and you have zero control over them receiving that notification.

It's creepy how much they push the social aspect.

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

#64

Post by eska »

dagelf wrote: post #58
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.

Umm.. yes it can. Common interests are WAAAY overrated. It's barely even a starting point... asymmetry is there it's at, why "partner" with yourself, when you can partner with your literal compliment, someone who has what you lack.... to make not just a bigger half, but an actual whole?!

Sure, but there must be at least some common ground. Otherwise how are you going to spend time together?

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

#65

Post by jamil7 »

alx_the_new_guy wrote: post #51
jamil7 wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah, I used to use Strava to track rides when I was cycling a lot and at some point realised it just made feel bad about my own performance. I run a lot more than I ride now and only take my keys with me. I check the time before I leave and know roughly how far and log it in my calendar. Running without any tech or music/podcasts/audiobooks has also helped me focus on technique and breathing and gives me a proper br…

Garmin Connect is actually fairly decent. Tracks activities (also sleep, which I find pretty useful), fairly detailed stats, little to none social features and a little gamification with challenges and achievements. Also the watch reminds you to move from time to time. Komoot is great for planning of "trips" and "stealing" other people's routes. I've done couple of them and you kind of never know what you're gonna se…

Yeah I use Komoot a fair bit for planning rides and hikes, it’s great and pretty widely used here in Germany.

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

#66

Post by anal_reactor »

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.

I spent years attending various language courses where I literally sat and talked to people, but I never became friends with any of them. If anything, it usually felt like stepping into a world of individuals hand-picked to have nothing in common with me, except for the fact that they were trying to learn a language too.

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

#67

Post by dotancohen »

EarlKing wrote: post #45
dotancohen wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> It's a cycle Strava is for running, too. Lrf, guvf vf n cha.

> Lrf, guvf vf n cha. And here with the birth of broadband I thought we'd moved past the age of line noise.

  $ echo Lrf, guvf vf n cha. | rot13
  Yes, this is a pun.

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

#69

Post by nogbit »

eska wrote: post #64
dagelf wrote: post #58

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Umm.. yes it can. Common interests are WAAAY overrated. It's barely even a starting point... asymmetry is there it's at, why "partner" with yourself, when you can partner with your literal compliment, someone who has what you lack.... to make not just a bigger half, but an actual whole?!

Sure, but there must be at least some common ground. Otherwise how are you going to spend time together?

The point that is being made is that you do new things you haven’t done before. Explore!

For example, If you are a gym rat in the morning you can still do that yourself without the other person and then later in the day do the new things you never done before. The other person benefits as well. You don’t always have to be glued to the hip of the other.

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

#70

Post by sublinear »

mritchie712 wrote: post #17
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

Easiest way to meet someone is for them to be a friend of a friend. I rarely date someone outside my extended circle even if I was trying to. We inevitably happen to know someone in common.

That said, bars are a great way to expand that circle. Dating is just one aspect of socializing. People who go to bars specifically just to "pick up" are creepy.

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