More public transit and more public spaces. Transit that you don’t have to think about taking (because it’s safe, frequent, and cheap or free) takes you to new places or to familiar places more often, and lets you meet more people more often. And going outside and doing shit is just good for you, I’m sorry to report.
I agree. I think a big part of the issue is that going out to do things is just so expensive these days. There aren’t any “third places” for people anymore.
The neighboring village just built a smallish sk8erpark for the youth. Quite nice finally seeing kids outside again. When walking the dog I feel like I haven’t seen kids doing kids stuff since like forever
This is the best answer !fuckcars
Doesn’t work. I live in Hong Kong, which has some of the world’s most efficient public transport systems. People don’t actually talk. They just look at their phones. A train cart can be full of people but no conversation.
Public transit isn’t for socializing, it’s for traveling. Public spaces like parks, libraries, squares, etc that don’t require payment to use are for socializing.
Oh I thought you meant socializing during transit, sorry. I forgot to consider in other places parks are not a maximum 15-minute walk away
Double the minimum wage and standardize a four day work week. People need more free time and resources in order to socialize effectively.
Couple this with providing safe and comfortable community spaces and every things peachy.
No, the local Starbucks/any place of business does not count.
This is a big one for me. Decoupling social activities from consumerism so people can access human connection without implicit or explicit paywalls.
Walkable neighborhoods with affordable places to hang out.
Legitimately stop treating phones like a necessity. Leave them at home more. Treat apps more like accessories and less like doorways.
Opt more for going in person to places to do things. By bike or transit whenever you can. Go to public events at your local parks and venues. Attendance is its own form of support, too. Anything we can do to purposely put ourselves in front of other people who share different perspectives than ourselves is good for us.
I think a lot of people don’t realize that there is a sense of responsibility when it comes to putting ourselves out into the world. If you think you’re capable of helping others, simply being a positive person in a public place, even just to have some fun meeting with friends, is a step in the right direction to building a better world. Nature will eventually setup a situation for you to be called upon. But this never happens from in your house or apartment.
Step 1
- Demolish all housing - everyone is homeless now
Step 2
- Mandate that everyone design their own silly costume - this is all you’re allowed to wear
Step 3
- Legalize and subsidize all the fun drugs - everyone gets a weekly allowance of shrooms, ecstasy, etc
Step 4
- Loneliness is officially replaced with several other problems
Username checks out
Multi dwelling houses: a house with a central living area and apartments of different sizes linking in to it.
The central area has a big kitchen, dining, play area, halls link it to a 1-bed, 2-bed and 3-bed apartments each with a little kitchen as well.
You can be on your own in your apartment or go use the big kitchen, join trivia night, etc
This is basically my uni dorm rn. It’s great until people leave their mess everywhere in the shared kitchen. Hence the tiny private kitchen, but we don’t have those ;-;
Parks full of cats?
Make friends in meat space. Have activities you do with other people regularly
We turn the Internet off at the weekends
Please no
Do it during the week
Just have a war. Nothing brings people together like necessity and shared trauma.
Don’t worry, that war isn’t far off.
Talk to old people. They have time to listen. Delete all social media.
Be comfortable being alone.
Is it too harsh to say to outside and interact with people?
it’s lethally hot outside
The reason there were mountain men in the old days is that they appreciated nature and they didn’t feel alone though they often were. It’s not that hard to rekindle that feeling you only have to work at it a little. I was taking walks in the woods back when I was in grade school and I seldom feel alone though it’s harder to feel like that in a city.
Go to the bar, drink, tip well. At least the bartenders will want to socialize when they can, even if only for their own self interests (tips). Also, other patrons might be in the same boat, and you can commiserate over drinks!
