I'm sorta the opposite: social relationships are so shallow and superficial in late stage capitalism that most social relationships can be replaced with a chatbot. If your social relationships can be summed up as water cooler conversations with coworkers and catching up with your drinking buddies, you might as "socialize" with a chatbot instead. Say what you will about a chatbot, but at least a chatbot won't stab you in the back like the case of socializing with coworkers or turn you into a functioning alcoholic like the case of socializing at a bar.

If your social relationships are limited to having pointless conversations about the weather or traffic or your favorite sports team, then what is the point of the social relationship in the first place?

[–] XxFemboy_Stalin_420_69xX@hexbear.net 7 points 1 day ago (1 children)

jesse-wtf

[–] AssortedBiscuits@hexbear.net 11 points 1 day ago (1 children)

reread my comment

Okay, that came out a lot more unhinged than how it sounded in my head lmao

[–] egg1918@hexbear.net 7 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Was going to post this as it's own comment but I think I see what you mean.

I was out with some friends recently and most of the discussion was typical small talk, catching up type stuff. Me and 1 friend got into a discussion about music. We were talking about how listening to music by yourself is really an entirely new thing, and that throughout history music has been a communal/social experience. Like when people used to be forced to work 12+ hour days, 6/7 days a week, and then Sunday they'd get together and play music together, and how it was the likely the only good thing going for them.

Then someone else jumps in and says "wow this is so deep" and just completely fucking killed the whole vibe, conversation went back to shallow small talk. It was as if the conversation being deeper than "what have you been up to?" actually bothered this person. And it was barely even a "deep" thing to talk about!

I think you're absolutely right that late stage capitalism has utterly destroyed our ability to connect. It's like everyone is afraid to say anything beyond the superficial for some reason

[–] Spike@hexbear.net 5 points 20 hours ago

It was as if the conversation being deeper than "what have you been up to?" actually bothered this person. And it was barely even a "deep" thing to talk about!

There are many people who are uncomfortable with conversations that involve some form of personal investment