The text revolves around the concept of “hanging out” and its decline in modern society. The author discusses their encounter with Sheila Liming, the author of a book titled “Hanging Out: The Radical Power of Killing Time.” The author agrees with Liming’s view that hanging out has become a “quiet catastrophe” due to factors like the pandemic and changing social norms. They reflect on their own experiences of hanging out with friends and how it has become more challenging in recent times. The text also explores the impact of technology on socializing and the importance of fostering genuine connections and shared experiences.
| Signal | Change | 10y horizon | Driving force |
|---|---|---|---|
| Growing crisis of people struggling to hang out | Social behavior | Increased difficulty in casual socializing | Smartphones, COVID pandemic, changing social norms |
| Decline in number of close friendships | Social relationships | Decreased social connections | Changing social dynamics, increased busyness |
| Increased difficulty in organizing hangouts | Social behavior | More effort required to coordinate social activities | Busy schedules, lack of downtime |
| Shift towards scheduled and structured socializing | Social behavior | Less spontaneous and effortless hanging out | Busyness, changing social dynamics |
| Decrease in daily socialization with friends | Social behavior | Less frequent social interaction | Increased busyness, changing social dynamics |
| Inability of younger generations to casually socialize | Social behavior | Difficulty in getting together to hang out | Smartphone use, changing social norms |
| Effort to encourage more hanging out | Social behavior | Emphasis on unscheduled, unproductive time | Desire for sociability and mutual affection |
| Importance of stories in hanging out | Social behavior | Stories as the core of hanging out | Shared experiences, shared memories |
| Effort to build a life conducive to hanging out | Lifestyle and mindset | Building a life that nurtures hanging out | Passion for hanging out, intentional effort |