Everybody’s home. No one’s coming over (derekthompson.org)

Article summary

The article discusses the decline of hosting and socializing in American homes, with a 70% decline in adults who regularly have friends over since 1975. The author explores possible reasons for this trend, including increased busyness, changing family dynamics, and the rise of solo leisure activities. The article also touches on the idea that technology has made it easier for people to entertain themselves at home, reducing the need for social interactions. As a result, many Americans are spending more time alone, even as they have more leisure time available.

Main themes

• decline of hosting
• changing family dynamics
• rise of solo leisure
• work-life balance
• social anxiety
• technology and socialization
• cultural norms and expectations

What commenters say

• Some people prefer meeting outside, such as in parks or at the beach, rather than hosting at home.
• High expectations and anxiety about hosting can be a barrier to socializing, especially for those who feel their homes are not perfect.
• The decline of hosting may be related to changes in work-life balance, with more people working from home and having less time for socializing.
• Others argue that the issue is not with hosting itself, but with the lack of initiative to plan and attend social events, and that people should make more of an effort to use their homes as social hubs.
• There is a perceived difference between 'ask culture' and 'guess culture' when it comes to social invitations, with some people feeling that they need to be explicitly invited, while others are more comfortable taking the initiative.
• The rise of solo leisure activities, such as watching videos or playing video games, has reduced the need for social interactions and contributed to the decline of hosting.
• Some commenters disagree with the idea that hosting is in decline, citing their own experiences of regularly hosting and attending social events, and suggesting that the issue may be more complex than a simple decline in hosting.
• The article's findings may be influenced by demographic changes, such as the increase in single-person households and the decline of traditional family structures.