Stephen Downes

The main data point in this video transcript is that "the average American now spends 20% less time socializing in person than they did just 20 years ago, and a record amount of time spent alone by themselves." This is presumed to be bad, though I really think that this depends on your perspective. I mean, is watching TV at home really worse than going out to the bar and getting drunk every night? Is cycling in a group really better than cycling alone? And also, what counts as social? Is it social if I go to the football game by myself (and yes, I have done this)? And I know these don't count as leisure time, but I can do without things like meetings, standing in line for groceries or at the DMV, or interactions with medical and security professionals. I mean, it's all a complex tapestry not reducible to "spending less time socializing is bad". But what about anxiety? you may ask. Sure. In a world of rising costs, privatization of social spaces, militarization of police, and uncertainty about the war, sure, let's blame AI.