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When I have my AirPods in, I'm busy forming a relationship with the podcast host or guest that I'm listening to. This is more important to me personally than b

When I have my AirPods in, I'm busy forming a relationship with the podcast host or guest that I'm listening to. This is more important to me personally than becoming friends with waitstaff at the restaurants I go to. I'm curious what you think of this take.

lordgrenville 7y ago
Not OP, but I think you could make an argument about the value of face-to-face interactions, and of one-to-one over one-to-many communication.
seventhtiger 7y ago
These one way relationships through mass media are not social. They're parasocial. This kind of relationship is becoming universal when mass media is so accessible that everyone is bound to find a podcast/vlog/stream they personally connect with. A good question is whether you think someone could be so charming that you would be their friend even if they never let you speak. Mass media is not new and my guess is that ever since the printing press readers would form personal connections with writers. I don't think any of it is inherently good or bad, but it's a matter of what you want to pay attention to. Everyone around you will be less entertaining, charming, inspiring, or funny than the podcast, but they will listen to you. Which kind of relationship would you rather have?
- askafriend 7y ago
  > Everyone around you will be less entertaining, charming, inspiring, or funny than the podcast, but they will listen to you. Which kind of relationship would you rather have? Compared to making random small-talk with the server at a restaurant? I'd prefer the one-way relationship with the podcast host. Compared to hanging out with a good friend/acquaintance and talking in-depth for hours about subjects we're passionate about? I'd mostly prefer the hanging out (but maybe sometimes not!). My point is that one type of relationship isn't by default better or worse in my life.

lordgrenville 7y ago

Not OP, but I think you could make an argument about the value of face-to-face interactions, and of one-to-one over one-to-many communication.

seventhtiger 7y ago

These one way relationships through mass media are not social. They're parasocial. This kind of relationship is becoming universal when mass media is so accessible that everyone is bound to find a podcast/vlog/stream they personally connect with. A good question is whether you think someone could be so charming that you would be their friend even if they never let you speak. Mass media is not new and my guess is that ever since the printing press readers would form personal connections with writers. I don't think any of it is inherently good or bad, but it's a matter of what you want to pay attention to. Everyone around you will be less entertaining, charming, inspiring, or funny than the podcast, but they will listen to you. Which kind of relationship would you rather have?

askafriend 7y ago
> Everyone around you will be less entertaining, charming, inspiring, or funny than the podcast, but they will listen to you. Which kind of relationship would you rather have? Compared to making random small-talk with the server at a restaurant? I'd prefer the one-way relationship with the podcast host. Compared to hanging out with a good friend/acquaintance and talking in-depth for hours about subjects we're passionate about? I'd mostly prefer the hanging out (but maybe sometimes not!). My point is that one type of relationship isn't by default better or worse in my life.