To be fair, I think the Internet has filled that role. It has many fundamental issues, but in many ways it has been much more effective than the pub at connecting people and offering support.

It’s easy to romanticize those local communities, but as much as they offered some social support, they were also rough and ignorant spaces. They ruthlessly suppressed any behavior or personalities veering a bit outside the norm, and kept everyone down at their level.

Sometimes having a limited choice of friends can be good, but it can also be terrible. They killed innovation, diversity and ambition in people. Not to mention the alcoholism and the pull away from spending quality time with family.