What happened to people and how can we reverse this?

[IHaveRespawned]

Everything and everyone seems so dull. Everyone keeps to themselves mostly it seems. Any social gatherings seem brief and short. I can tell people seem bogged down.

You go out places now, and people are in and out. Everything is business with no chatter.

I was in the grocery store long ago and mentioned this to a cashier that people don't like to openly talk anymore. She thought about it and agreed.

I was also at the grocery store a few days ago and some child seated in a cart dropped his boxed juice on the ground. I was being nice and picked it up. I went "uh oh, did you drop something?" and handed it back. The mom just had this straight face and was like "thanks". She seemed uncomfortable of my nice gesture.

My life specifically, I am a newlywed and my wife is just so tired and antisocial after work. On her 2 days off, she just likes to stay inside and sleep. I am disabled and have been a hermit myself, although I have been working on a web project and have some stressors too. Everything is just so expensive and you can smell the greed and selfishness everywhere.

I agree

I disagree

See poll

[RandomGirl42]

I believe it has to do with geography. I am rather new to social media (And intentionally do not watch main stream news) and was surprised how much the world had "gone to hell." From my yard I do not see it.

I live in a very rural area where people do still talk to each other. We might not all get along but when push comes to shove we will pull together and help each other. This summer we helped rebuild a neighbors barn that had burned down just because it was "neighborly". No money involved. I have never once locked the doors to my little house and I leave the keys in my jeep when I go to the little local store, where people smile and know my name.

I have noticed the further I travel into more populated areas the more people stop talking and keep themselves buried in their phones. No smiles. No eye contact. It makes me sad.

Just the observations of a country girl. 🤷‍♀️

[IHaveRespawned]

Knoxville (and the nearby suburb of Farragut) used to be very neighborly and homey. People used to be genuine, generous, and there used to be that southern spirit that used to thrive. It was a lot slower pace back then. You had everything you needed and even a mall a short distance away. Now, it is chaotic and traffic is so severe you don't even want to leave the house. It is not the same, and I am reminiscing of the old days.

For the first time, I am highly considering moving out in the rural country. I don't even give a damn if I live in a trailer, although my new wife would not appreciate that. I miss the old Tennessee.

[RandomGirl42]

Ty for the SO 😊

[midnightmoon05]

It’s easy for me to meet people and make friends.
i don’t have any issues with talking to strangers and or become their friends.

I just don’t have a lot of time to entertain though.

I am meeting a good friend tomorrow and another next week.

I keep my family close by inviting them to mingle and I call them often. I also call my gag friend’s.
one who is no longer here just called me Friday that he got a new job and met a woman. So I am happy for him.

Hope you and your can join a church group or something.
meet up with family.

[loveslongnails]

Do you live in the USA? If so, I see your point. In other places around the world, it's not so. People still give a shit about each other because every single day isn't a struggle to survive and/or provide for your family and children. Right now, the USA is at a crisis point; you'll either go full blown fascist or you'll go back to the "illusion" of freedom with a longer more pleasing leash and be content with Capitalists and billionaires who are happy to be that and not overbearing oligarchs or fascists.

[Darklydarkened]

It's late stage capitalism with early-cyberpunk distopia. Get used to it. They'll commodify your attention, sell it to other corporations for profit and weave your mind with thoughts internet contect over human connection

[exitseven]

we are falling apart as a society. it has been going on for decades but has gotten much worse since covid. I sit on my front porch at lunchtime and wave at people walking by. Nobody waves back.

[IHaveRespawned]

We are falling apart, and it seems there are hardly any places to escape to.

[Pixiedustjunior]

She could sense the risk of being nice to you. You with your autism could confuse that with affection and you'd start stalking her. Or at least according to you. That's why you stalked the kid right?

[IHaveRespawned]

What are you talking about? I was being nice and picked up his juice box in which he dropped and handed it back to him.

[noohair]

What I see social media has created people walking around in their own bubble. And we have become so tribal and hateful that we do not want to be canceled by expressing an opinion.

[Anonymous]

yet these same people will bitch and complain about lack of social skills in others

[IHaveRespawned]

I mean, yeah, I am on the Autistic Spectrum and lack strong social skills, but people are just so damn cold anymore

[FunkyMonkee]

Get rid of cell phones!