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Comment by idontwantthis | Hacker News Reader

I really don’t get this “third place” thing. People can still just go do stuff like they always could. Clubs, teams, community events all still exist.

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People can still just go do stuff, but they don't. They stay inside and watch screens all day because they're poor and sick and depressed and exhausted and addicted to their phones.

Too many people sure, but it’s doomerism to say third places are “dead”. Bar trivia is still packed, there are still pickup games in the park, and your local library still needs volunteers. I think this online attitude probably causes some people to not even look for third places in the first place.

The idea that anything important is online seems to be ruining in-person activities. Many of those activities you mention are poorly advertised online and easily drowned out by advertising / ragebait / influencer slop. My local food court has a trivia night but the most prominent advertising for it is at the food court itself with posters.

There are always going to be reasons to not get out of bed in the morning.

I could be wrong, but I thought the "third place" thing more specifically refers to a pretty local institution such as a tavern or coffee shop where people meet regardless of club/team affiliation(s).

There may be more coffee shops now, but there are a LOT less neighborhood bars - or at least it sure seems that way in my Chicago neighborhood where one can see evidence of long closed bars on every other block.

I've starting thinking that the constant use of "there are no third places anymore!" is more cope and deflection of blame than an actual description of reality, often from people who want to use The Man or The System as a scapegoat for their own lack of socialization. There are still tons of third places, people are choosing to stay home instead of using them.

It's the same with "The Village" when deciding not to have kids. Everyone is allowed to move back to their hometown, or ask family to move closer. It's not always simple to do, but it's a choice people make not to.

I could take a $200,000/annual pay cut to move back to my hometown and live in an area devoid of things to do; but, you're right: I chose to move away and live somewhere that offered my children things I did not have and thus choose not to do that. I am also not sure how I could have my parents make the choice to live in an area that's more egalitarian and diverse; however, you're right, again: they choose not to.

If you have the privilege of a $200k delta then you have the middle ground of buying your parents a house near you.

I already pay for the house I no longer live in but my ex-wife does as well as my own with a 7.6% APR. But, them not having a house has nothing to do w/it; they don't want to live somewhere like this.

Thanks for the idea though!

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