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I feel like in the future, or maybe even now, there will be an opportunity to have something like a super nice, independent book store, but with the value propo

I feel like in the future, or maybe even now, there will be an opportunity to have something like a super nice, independent book store, but with the value proposition being more about the experience. Since people can always actually buy the book online, brick and mortar stores should shift to something that can't be replicated online. This would be particularly attractive for people who live in a city, where they may want somewhere warm and aesthetically pleasing to hang out, that's semi-social. I think coffee shops demonstrate this in a way, but they don't go far enough, compared to what I'm thinking of. I imagine somewhere that has comfortable places to sit, read, and even some food, but primarily what you're paying for would be like a monthly membership. When I travel, for example, I prefer now to stay in hostels over airbnb's, just because I like having an easy way to hangout and meet other people. I can still be online and do work, but at certain hours there's also more social activity and I appreciate both aspects.

TheOtherHobbes 5y ago
I think we're beginning to understand that algorithms suck at making the kinds of judgements that make human interactions interesting and worthwhile. More of everything is not necessarily better. More of everything filtered algorithmically can be actively worse - not just because of poor modelling and information loss, but because the goals of the algorithm (typically related to some combination of hard sell and addiction) are diametrically opposed to a good human experience. There is such a thing as culture, and algos are incredibly toxic to it. Incidentally your semi-social idea is exactly what "clubs" provide in the UK. Not many people know about clubs, which is strange, because they're incredibly influential on politics and culture. They're subscription-only spaces for mostly upper middle class people in an expensive building - most in central London, a few scattered around other big cities - that offer food, social contact, and networking opportunities. Most have curated selective membership. You have to be invited and approved before you can join. They're also split by profession - politicians, lawyers, media personalities, musicians, journalists, creatives, and so on. There used to be one for London startups. (Possibly still is - I haven't checked recently.)
- asimpletune 5y ago
  Yeah I hear/feel you on basically everything you said. Still, I just want a nice, comfortable place that I can go hang out for long parts of that day. I don’t care about it being exclusive and I would prefer it not to be. When I was growing up book stores were kind of that place, but most of that has gone away.

TheOtherHobbes 5y ago

I think we're beginning to understand that algorithms suck at making the kinds of judgements that make human interactions interesting and worthwhile. More of everything is not necessarily better. More of everything filtered algorithmically can be actively worse - not just because of poor modelling and information loss, but because the goals of the algorithm (typically related to some combination of hard sell and addiction) are diametrically opposed to a good human experience. There is such a thing as culture, and algos are incredibly toxic to it. Incidentally your semi-social idea is exactly what "clubs" provide in the UK. Not many people know about clubs, which is strange, because they're incredibly influential on politics and culture. They're subscription-only spaces for mostly upper middle class people in an expensive building - most in central London, a few scattered around other big cities - that offer food, social contact, and networking opportunities. Most have curated selective membership. You have to be invited and approved before you can join. They're also split by profession - politicians, lawyers, media personalities, musicians, journalists, creatives, and so on. There used to be one for London startups. (Possibly still is - I haven't checked recently.)

asimpletune 5y ago
Yeah I hear/feel you on basically everything you said. Still, I just want a nice, comfortable place that I can go hang out for long parts of that day. I don’t care about it being exclusive and I would prefer it not to be. When I was growing up book stores were kind of that place, but most of that has gone away.