381. Are friendships REALLY meant to be inconvenient?

The podcast explores the question of whether friendships are supposed to be inconvenient, examining expectations and demands placed on friends. It suggests modern society has become increasingly isolated due to social media and an overemphasis on personal boundaries, leading to widespread loneliness. The discussion identifies three factors contributing to low-effort friendships: the shift from social to private spaces, increased busyness and exhaustion, and the misuse of self-help language. The podcast references a study indicating a 14% drop in the use of public spaces and a 15% increase in walking pace, reflecting a reduced incidental exposure to community. It also points out that despite having as much leisure time as in previous decades, cognitive exhaustion makes the inconvenience of friendship feel more challenging. The podcast offers practical tips for building community, such as avoiding scorekeeping in friendships, pushing back against hyper-independence, and prioritizing social connections.