They feel the need increasingly because those needs aren't met. Watercooler talk is gone for many tech people in particular. I've done most of the aforemention

They feel the need increasingly because those needs aren't met. Watercooler talk is gone for many tech people in particular. I've done most of the aforementioned examples, and gyms have not been a place to socialize very much; people are there to train on a schedule, then leave. Sports clubs can be more forgiving but it depends on what you're doing (dancing may be better). I played competitive team sports as an adult a few times and unless you were already part of some in-group, making friends is not that easy. People play then go home. I had the largest returns (socially-speaking) in book clubs and similar groups like that.