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Comment by jmt_ | Hacker News Reader

But isn't there something to be said about the kind of human experiences each of the "outdated" industries you mentioned provide? Namely schools, stores, going to movie theaters with friends, etc. People like seeing and being around other people. Some really, really don't, but most do. Moving the majority of activities indoors forever will have a negative impact on the psyche of the most people.

I agree that what most people buy is junk and that there is waste in the spaces you mentioned. But I'm not sure how "natural" is will feel for people to do all that isolated in their homes with a small amount of people indefinitely...

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>Moving the majority of activities indoors forever will have a negative impact on the psyche of the most people.

So does industrialization as a whole, but I'm not for rolling that back either. Ride the ennui all the way to posthuman psyches. c:

What I see happening. People are indoors and pursing something that they are really interested in. Maybe knitting, trumpet playing, etc. They are connected with new people online who share the same interests as them. In a few months people will be connecting in person with these people. Modernity will do what modernity always does...connect people who have distinct, unique, interests together. As a society I think that we've outgrown the idea of just going to a movie theater and hanging out with friends. I think that the older model society will re-emerge...fraternities, social clubs, members only places, hackerspaces. Let's say you get passionate about a hobby right now, lets say playing an instrument. You'll want to find a safe space to meet. Maybe a few people will pitch in some cash and just rent a space to turn into a private hangout club. With the coming recession space will become cheaper.

You really think everybody is enjoying being isolated inside, alone, with no human contact, no mass gatherings like concerts or games?

> As a society I think that we've outgrown the idea of just going to a movie theater and hanging out with friends.

This is an antisocial and unhealthy perspective. We've yet to see the mental health ramifications from this extended period of isolation. We're not built to sit inside by ourselves all day. Even as great as online connections can be, they are no replacement for the real presence of a human being. Saying we've "outgrown" it is preposterous.

In some societies people don't have much a say of what they do, who they hang out with, what jobs they do. In a small rural society everybody was/is expected to conform. Modernity lets us hangout with people that we share interests with. This crisis will push that even further. We'll hang out more with people that share our interests, and less just hanging out randomly.

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