Ask HN: How can we solve the loneliness epidemic?

Re:Ask HN: How can we solve the loneliness epidemic? by mystifyingpoi on Thursday January 15, 2026 @02:34PM (#46637954)

While this is true, it's worth mentioning that a regular coffee machine small talk in the office is not building any relationships. At least that's how I experience it. It can start one, but won't automatically make one.

I can go for a coffee and routinely get dragged into 30 min conversation about politics, or cars, or weather, or any other subject I literally don't care about. All the good relationships begin with finding a niche topic between 2 people.

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Re:Ask HN: How can we solve the loneliness epidemic? by pbalau on Thursday January 15, 2026 @05:10PM (#46640084)

Do you put any effort in steering the discussion towards something you care about?

A discussion that started about the newest model of some car, ended up with that person fixing my boat's outboard motor.

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Re:Ask HN: How can we solve the loneliness epidemic? by bherms on Thursday January 15, 2026 @05:46PM (#46640498)

YMMV I guess. I've got tons of friends I've made walking around the office and just dropping in and asking people what they're working on and introducing myself, or sitting at a table with people I didn't. Some are no more than acquaintances, but some are close friends now.

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