Do you believe that true friendships are dying due to the advances in tech and social media?

[ThoseCognacEyes]

Yes I believe that to be the case

No I don’t think they’re related

Other opinion (what’s your different take on this?)

[AmandaYVR]

A case could be made for either. Technology changes many things about society and culture. For one, it has facilitated communication worldwide, and has brought people together that never would have met due to the practical limitations of geography. In that regard it is an amazing tool with amazing potential.

But if we have to weigh all the pros and cons, in some virtual or abstract mathematical formula, I do believe it's probably a net-negative. Sociologists talk of social circles, and what number of people are manageable to have in one's life. We've exponentially expanded our reach, like never before. That has been both a blessing, and maybe a curse, because it not only becomes difficult to manage logistically (spreading oneself too thin and not devoting enough time to nurutre all equally, or nurture the 'right' most meaningful ones), but for the less-than-completely-satisfied, it provides some sort of illusory feeling that there is more out there, and excess, or abundance, which is generally not something humans do very well with. People lack discipline, when left to their own devices.

We're probably built for fast-and-famine (and the body certainly knows how to store up in lean times, unfortunately), but in times of plenty, or the illusion of plenty, I think people become less tolerant, more particular, less patient, and they really look a gift horse in the mouth, so to speak.

On the other hand, great things do not come around often. 'Great' in terms of people is of course fairly relative, and maybe not everyone agrees on value, but there seems to be a level of anxiety, impatience, and perhaps lack of self-restraint and resolve, to iron out differences, resolve miscommunications, and really put the work into building, and maintaining, friendships (and relationships of all kinds.) Sad, really.

My personal experience is that friendships that have had an in-person base, don't survive changes in geography. But on the bright side, the ones that never had that, seem to not feel as if so much is missing. Still, there can be longing, a sense of incompleteness.

I voted A. Great question.

[katiesmuff]

I totally agree with that statement!

[Guy13]

Yes, they are because the digital and metaverse is a man-made Utopia. The only thing that can be considered reliable is Workplace electronic contact. The look you in the eye and meet to do something, especially, post-virus is much more challenging. People are complacent, lazy, and general seek ease over effort. Fortunately, I have sports and other interests. Many of them began through the internet/technology but end in real-time relationship and friendship. An avenue for this in-person dynamic is www.meetup.com

[NathanDavis]

nope, not at all...

in fact, it's because of this technology that I am still in touch with all my best friends... as we're not currently living in the same city

[HighValue]

I have more good actual friends now than I did before social media, but ALL of my good friends are in person friends. Social media had nothing to do with it either way for me before or now.

[Avicenna]

No, but Basic interactions between people have changed a lot