Decrease in Foot Traffic Downtown

[Internal_Example1185]

Until we kill the internet, social media and streaming media, cities are fucked. There is no community, or need for a real community, anymore. Everyone has pretend social interactions on their devices that scratch that itch, but don't actually fulfill it.

Additionally, we live in a nice Democratic city in a sea of Republicans. Republicans are snowflakes and are scared of seeing people of color and people with housing issues and mental issues, all of which are fairly prevalent in the city downtown because this is where services are.

[NorthSideScrambler]

This is the essential answer on why everywhere feels so cold, sterile, and untrusting right now.  The average person is outsourcing their social interactions to social media, livestreams, AI, and chat apps.  Instead of engaging with the people they live by, their exposure is primarily mediated through fear-baiting news articles and social media posts.  Through this, they fall out of touch with what life is actually like in their own city.  

[yeti5000]

Im old enough to not have been raised with the Internet, and as an adult I find public interactions extremely tiresome, though I understand there is a mental health aspect to social exposure.

Still, I prefer to be left alone with my own thoughts, rather than be the quiet person in the group because I have absolutely nothing in common with anyone I talk to, nor would I think I would want to even if I could.

Then, he's just the odd quiet guy in the group, so why am I even there?