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> Similarly, there's a version of modern friendship > that feels like dating around, especially because > it's extremely easy to meet new people these days.

> Similarly, there's a version of modern friendship > that feels like dating around, especially because > it's extremely easy to meet new people these days. Maybe that's the problem? In earlier generations, one had to work harder to get in touch, get together, and have a conversation with someone, so every hard-won connection felt meaningful. These days, everyone you know is instantly reachable, and you can talk to anyone in the world without leaving your chair.

bluefirebrand 5y ago
I agree with all of this, and also want to say I think people's free time is at a low right now compared to the past, maybe? I feel like most people in my generation either define themselves fully by their careers, or they are scrambling constantly to make ends meet. It's hard for me to find people around my age who have free time when I have free time and personalities or lifestyles that align with what I want out of friends or life. I imagine a lot of people are in the same boat.
- UnpossibleJim 5y ago
  I don't know. I think of my dad, and almost all of my friends dads, and they worked all of the time, seemingly. Granted, I'm GenX, so I may be older than a lot on here. My mom worked when I was younger and could stop when my dad got to a certain point (and my parents remarried), but most dads were only home for dinner and then looked over some papers while I was getting ready for bed, as long as I can remember. That was the promise of the 80's and 90's, right? The boom economy. Maybe we lived in a few anomalous neighborhoods.
  - pram 5y ago
    I’m sure there are cases where this is absolutely the truth of the situation, but from my personal experience it was obviously a conscious decision. My father basically spent as much time as possible away from his family doing things, work and hobbies. It’s pretty clear to me now as an adult. People can make time, it’s just not a priority to them. Of course we have extremely little in common now so I rarely talk to him. I have better things to do. That is a conscious decision. It has consequences.

bluefirebrand 5y ago

I agree with all of this, and also want to say I think people's free time is at a low right now compared to the past, maybe? I feel like most people in my generation either define themselves fully by their careers, or they are scrambling constantly to make ends meet. It's hard for me to find people around my age who have free time when I have free time and personalities or lifestyles that align with what I want out of friends or life. I imagine a lot of people are in the same boat.

UnpossibleJim 5y ago
I don't know. I think of my dad, and almost all of my friends dads, and they worked all of the time, seemingly. Granted, I'm GenX, so I may be older than a lot on here. My mom worked when I was younger and could stop when my dad got to a certain point (and my parents remarried), but most dads were only home for dinner and then looked over some papers while I was getting ready for bed, as long as I can remember. That was the promise of the 80's and 90's, right? The boom economy. Maybe we lived in a few anomalous neighborhoods.
- pram 5y ago
  I’m sure there are cases where this is absolutely the truth of the situation, but from my personal experience it was obviously a conscious decision. My father basically spent as much time as possible away from his family doing things, work and hobbies. It’s pretty clear to me now as an adult. People can make time, it’s just not a priority to them. Of course we have extremely little in common now so I rarely talk to him. I have better things to do. That is a conscious decision. It has consequences.