This post is for seeking some advice on what’s the best route to try to help some friends get some of their offline lives back.
This year, a large percent of my friend group from my hometown have stopped interacting much with anyone outside of immediate family such as parents and work. Very noticeable for those that are under 30 (I’m 30) compared to those a few years older than me. For 3 of them that were pretty close, they still send memes and Instagram reels all day almost daily but never respond to any messages nor send any anymore. The only way to get them to do anything is to show up semi unannounced with tickets to go somewhere or with food to get them out of the endless scroll, and even then 2 of them will still scroll no matter what’s going on around them, even while driving.
Seeing the reels that get shared since the summer, nearly all of them are AI or extreme (not political, moreso like extreme overeating, extreme overpriced buying/unboxing videos or people fighting past what mma/ufc would allow type content). This seems to have led a few to being scared of the outside while a few others consider outside to be too boring now. When we do hang out I notice my algorithm is completely different than theirs with every reel scroll. We were all very tech focused coming our of school but I’m 1 of 2 that didn’t make it into a long term career, a couple of them have been on the AI hype train for a few years now.
Does this seem to be an ongoing trend for you? I know some people here have made mention over the time I’ve been on Lemmy but it’s gotten so apparent in my life these last 2 holidays trying to make plans and soon New Years of the change and the the first time in more than a decade we’re all within an hour of each other but majority of them are just socially MIA to do anything outside of scrolling on the couch laughing at nonexistent people and animals in reels. What’s worked for you to help combat this within your friends without giving up on them? The best thing I’ve been able to find has been the bar style arcades and laser tag that’s helped make that similar enjoyment while out of the house.
Bro I haven’t seen another human outside of my family for the past 5 years besides people I work with - and I wfh so I don’t actually see them in person… my boss actually is never around either so I’m just alone always
Do you want something to be different?
No way people are a waste of time. I’ve been doing very well on my own just minding my own business and working improving my life. If I had been spending all this time interacting with friends I’d be in the same place I was before I quit talking to them.
Wait, if people are a waste of time, why bother commenting online? If you don’t get anything out of interacting with the people close to you, what are you getting out of interacting with strangers?
Just to be clear, I’m not trying to land a sick burn here, I’m honestly curious.
Total karma go up? Idk if it even works the same here just a habit. I always tried to get high scoring comments. usually ishposts score the highest. Or I’ll share some of my vast knowledge. I e explaining how I wasted most of my life trying to win the approval of others when I should have been improving my own self. Ever since i gave up on spending time with friends I’ve increased my income and skill level and improved my quality of life along with my health etc. all because i gave up spending time with people
Well, if you’re just in it for the points, I’d recommend telling jokes, that’s pretty reliable. But, just an observation here, what I’m seeing in this thread is your having real conversations. Making the kinds of comments that might just as soon get a downvote, not the witty one liners that are guaranteed karma. So I wonder if that’s really why you’re commenting, or if maybe there’s something else you’re getting out of it. Could be worth considering.
Mfer can you not read? I said I’m sharing knowledge. Just because you don’t understand that improving your life is more important than having friends
I recommend against generalizing your experience with one set of friends to encompass all people
Remember, every accusation is a confession. If you don’t want to be a waste of time to be around then don’t act like that’s true of others.
I felt that way until I found a nice community. Not everyone of them were friends, but they were friendly and helpful and I got to help out too, which actually made a massice difference on my self esteem.
I know it sounds super corny and I had serious doubts at first, but it still has a really positive impact on me years after moving.