I am being absolutely serious here with the Weimar Republic comparison. Because people are fucking miserable and it’s fucking terrifying.
A hundred years ago, broke people in big cities would go to fascist rallies because they were free, and because sometimes the organizers gave out free food and beer, and because people had nothing better to do.
And they stayed because hate feels good when you’re hurting and simple violent solutions appeal to the angry monkey parts of our brains.
And the fewer community connections you have - the more the economy strips your life down to work and sleep, or to job hunting and sleep, or to scrounging in the gutter to survive and sleep, and the less you go out and socialize with actual human beings - the more appealing the fascist illusion of unity, of being part of a powerful group, becomes.
And the only difference today is that the fascist rallies are beamed directly into your home.
Where have you been going to meet people that doesn’t cost money?
Not only that but it needs time. Time that coincides with friends times. If everyone is 9-5 and thats it then thats great, but everyone is working as many hours as they can.
Local hackerspaces or makerspaces have open doors nights and try to be affordable overall. Sometimes even free. Libraries are great. Galleries and museums have free days. Protests and activist organisations are good way to be social and find meaningful life… Grassroots cultural spaces in general. Some cafes and bars have events that don’t require you to purchase anything. There are squats and other social spaces around the world
Don’t know if that helps, but I’ve known people before who didn’t know the place they were looking for already existed. Sometimes the places are hard to find, but they are there. There’s 8 billion of us and nobody wants to be alone.
Our local makerspace has shut down but when I looked before covid it cost more per month then than my allotment does per year now. Put seeds in some dirt, you even get food out of it. Availability might vary, there was a waiting list that took about half a year.
The park? Take the bike to a lake? Idk where exactly you live
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In the year 2026 where being a straight dude approaching people at the park will get you labelled a predator.
No what are you going on about? Nobody cares if you aren’t asking creepy questions or if you for example ask multiple women specifically. Be the creepiest man and ask some lady for a lighter, nobody cares. Be the creepiest homeless person and wish someone a good day, nobody gives a fuck.
Work, social activities, churches, in the neighborhood, at the park. Really lots of places if you’re not trying to be a downer. Of course it was much easier before the internet however.