chapotraphouse

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