The decline of the family has unleashed an epidemic of loneliness

Re:The decline of the family has unleashed an epidemic of lo... by wink on Friday June 07, 2019 @05:14AM (#20122889)

I absolutely disagree. Just taking the workplace as an example, I've been at companies where I would hang out with at least one coworker per week and there were companies where I did nothing at all with coworkers outside office hours except maybe the christmas party.

And I do think if you're not in any club (for sports or hobbies or whatever) it gets harder and harder to make friends the older you get (spoken like a true mid-30s person ;). I don't have kids or a dog, so the workplace is next to the best venue to meet new people.

TLDR: I don't think it's in any way rare or weird to not receive invitations if you don't already have a network of friends. This is a catch-22.

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Re:The decline of the family has unleashed an epidemic of lo... by cwp on Friday June 07, 2019 @12:33PM (#20126312)

Unless you're in solitary confinement, people will invite you to connect with them. It may not take the form of "Hey, let's have a beer after work." It might not be directed specifically at you. But the opportunities are there.

I'm not saying "you must do this, it is the only way." It worked for me at a specific place and time in my life, and that isn't a universal condition. But I don't think we are helpless. Modern urban life may be alienating, but it's not inescapable. If you find that you value human connection more than likes or RSUs or Game of Thrones, you can find a way to have more of it.

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Re:The decline of the family has unleashed an epidemic of lo... by mcv on Friday June 07, 2019 @07:45AM (#20123541)

So join a club. Clubs are great places to meet people. Find one appropriate for a hobby you have, or explore a new hobby.

Learn a new skill and meet people.

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Re:The decline of the family has unleashed an epidemic of lo... by wink on Friday June 07, 2019 @11:45AM (#20125722)

Personally I've no problem right now, but I vehemently disagree with the gp posting that it is per se the person's fault for not being invited.

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Re:The decline of the family has unleashed an epidemic of lo... by mcv on Saturday June 08, 2019 @06:26AM (#20131679)

Don't look at it in terms of fault, see it as ways to create opportunities.

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Re:The decline of the family has unleashed an epidemic of lo... by magpi3 on Friday June 07, 2019 @09:16AM (#20124176)

Volunteer! I meet the best people volunteering. People who will do stuff for non-monetary reasons are usually pretty great.

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