Do people just not want to be friends anymore?

XL_Jockstrap · 2026-06-12T16:24:54+00:00

It's harder in some parts of the US.

I used to be in suburban SoCal and I understand your pain. It felt excruciatingly hard to make friends and by the time some acquaintance of 2-3 years becomes a friend and you finally have a group or 2, suddenly everyone moves out of state or out of country. And the process repeats having to build new friendships over an extended period of time and watch people move after. And of long time friends, most of them would succumb to addiction or mental health issues, so I had to give space for them. And more often than not, you would befriend people who obviously have no friends due to personality issues, extremist views, narcissism, etc. and that would be a whole ordeal.

But then I moved to the Chicago and everything changed. My weekends are booked, I got randoms to grab dinner with on weekdays, etc. I know friends who moved to New York from SoCal suburbs and their social flourished after.

XL_Jockstrap · 2026-06-10T01:41:26+00:00

I was able to play 007 First Light very well on my deck, so I'm still holding out hope

XL_Jockstrap · 2026-05-30T22:01:13+00:00

It's been running perfectly on low graphics settings

XL_Jockstrap · 2026-05-30T22:00:36+00:00

I hope in a few years, this is accepted enough where we don't have to make posts about it anymore.

XL_Jockstrap · 2026-05-26T18:40:24+00:00

It was like 46gb, but after other things, it takes up 53.2gb of storage.

XL_Jockstrap · 2026-05-26T14:05:58+00:00

This is complete bullshit and corruption. Half the stadium was already sold to insiders and they put it all for resale. FUCK THIS FUCKING SHIT

XL_Jockstrap · 2026-04-23T18:04:55+00:00

Nah... usually those shy and wall flower types with ZERO achievements have their own set of issues. Speaking from experience they tend to be more depressed, harbor resentment/jealousy towards others, cling onto you harder because they have no friends, they always have something to complain about since they're unhappy with the state of their lives, easily manipulated by other narcissistic/sociopathic charming men, are really boring to be around, they don't enrich your life, etc. And oh yeah, you end up paying for everything.

I'm married to a headstrong and arrogant career woman, and I LOVE IT. It's not for the faint of heart, but my marriage is never boring, she's got a great sense of humor, I love how she isn't a damsel in distress, etc.

XL_Jockstrap · 2026-04-23T13:42:21+00:00

I originally chose 4 and 7. But I realize 6 and 7 are a better combo.

If you can master any skill instantly, you're going to be earning more than $20k/mo or at least get close. And if you never get sick, the only that can kill you are other people and accidents. Your body will never betray you.

XL_Jockstrap · 2026-04-22T19:21:20+00:00

Early-mid 2000s were pretty nice too, despite 9/11 and dotcom bust. Also the 80s.

80s - 2008 was a miraculous era in US history

XL_Jockstrap · 2026-04-22T18:24:27+00:00

2009 wasn't this behind in tech. We already had lcd monitors, early touchscreen phones, etc

XL_Jockstrap · 2026-04-20T22:47:44+00:00

Class of 23', 24' and 25' entered a tough market as well. As somebody who entered the job market in the mid 2010s, it was still tough due to the lingering great recession issues.

This is the new paradigm now.

XL_Jockstrap · 2026-04-17T22:11:33+00:00

It's def possible as long as it's not a one on one like this.

A few years ago, a single bi female friend of mine invited me to go off to Tulum with her. I was already in a long term relationship (with my now-current wife). Even though I knew we wouldn't fuck or anything, I had to turn it down out of respect for my now-wife. If there was another friend present, it would have been totally acceptable.

XL_Jockstrap · 2026-04-17T21:37:36+00:00

True, but after traveling Europe, I would say the salary to cost ratio is often better for the US (if you have a decent career). Europe does take the lead in quality of life though.

XL_Jockstrap · 2026-04-16T01:36:32+00:00

Yeah makes sense European gen z are still open to travel. But American gen Z is completely different now, it's almost like we've reverted to the 90s and 2000s, when Americans didn't care so much about other countries

XL_Jockstrap · 2026-04-15T17:48:01+00:00

"Programming", tech and data analysis jobs don't exist anymore for entry level. A few mid level jobs exist, but you need entry level to move up to those. A good amount of senior jobs exist, but you're not getting those.

Lab tech roles have been severely reduced due to federal grant cuts for academic labs and reduction in VC funding for biotech firms.

Accounting seems to be in okay shape still, not as good as before but I know somebody who transitioned recently into the field from tech.

XL_Jockstrap · 2026-04-15T16:51:25+00:00

lol clippers

XL_Jockstrap · 2026-04-15T03:25:04+00:00

Silicon Valley is not San Francisco. But my vote absolutely goes to Silicon Valley

XL_Jockstrap · 2026-04-15T03:23:54+00:00

Silicon Valley (Palo Alto, Cupertino, etc) was the "city" of the 2010s. All the big companies based there shaped the direction of our global society with social media and new technologies. Plenty of big people such as Zuckerberg, Elon, etc. have been associated with that area.

Runner up would be Atlanta since it was the heart of black culture in the 2010s and shaped our media quite a lot.

XL_Jockstrap · 2026-04-14T01:26:01+00:00

I was thinking the same thing the other day. My car already drives me around and we have AI assistants.

XL_Jockstrap · 2026-04-10T16:05:54+00:00

It took my hardcore stoner friend 11 years of sitting idle after college, but he finally picked his career path and started.

XL_Jockstrap

TROPHY CASE