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Comment by subradios | Hacker News Reader

The unfortunate fact is that at least in the US, even if you live in a "walkable", "transit oriented" city, there is no way to run a business that's community oriented. Which means that the only actual community available is your work community.

How are you supposed to "build relationships outside of work" in that environment?

I get that your opinion of this is that it's degenerate, and this may be true - but have some sympathy for folks whose regular, non covid experience even when they can walk to all the urban amenities is "I can't make friends because I would have to break into a group, which means an activity that isn't focused on transactional gain, which isn't allowed in the city due to a combination of taxes, rental prices, and most of the city preferring to drink alone and out voting me"

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> there is no way to run a business that's community oriented. Which means that the only actual community available is your work community.

Actual community does not requires a business. Building relationships does not require business either.

I did not said it is degenerate. But it is dishonest when what I described is framed as somehow being more performing, because of spending more time in workplace slowing down effectivity of it. Also, It is possible to create relationships in workplace and then keep those as you move to other workplaces - assuming people are willing to socialize outside of workplace. It is possible for communities to form around blocks, parks or hobbies.

Actually it does, or religion. I'm assuming you're not a fan of evangelicals?

That seems like a barb, but the fact is that it's quite difficult to maintain community organizations without a central business or religious organization. However, profit maximization and digital first precludes physical community, where you have the people you have. Everyone can opt out and play WoW instead.

I genuinely think that believe stuff is impossible without being centered over business is odd and possibly one of reasons of loneliness. Businesses are good for economy, but they designed for profit making and effectivity. Community building is opposite.

And also, no I am not much fun of evangelicals nor conservative Catholics for that matter. Too much authoritarian control, too much hate and too much of paranoia. (And yes, I grew up in christian environment).

> How are you supposed to "build relationships outside of work" in that environment?

Do the things you enjoy: run, bike, ski, live music, drinking, church - whatever floats your boat. Other people do them too. Meet them. Be friends.

> How are you supposed to "build relationships outside of work" in that environment?

What have you tried so far?

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