"Online Communities" Aren't Real
It's an oxymoron
Hi everyone,
Last year a few people shared a clip of me talking about online communities. Some asked for more context, so I thought I’d finally share the longer video and full debate here.
I talk about how the only world my generation has ever known is one where we can have pretty much everything we want without human interaction: social media, delivery apps, dating apps, self-service checkouts, online porn, online lectures, online therapy. We have so little familiarity with real community that online forums are considered a “lifeline”. I find this tragic.
The collapse of community and the substitutes we were sold are also a core part of my upcoming book GIRLS®, which is out this month! (Feb 26 in the UK; May 5 in the US). You can pre-order here:
UK: Amazon / Waterstones / All retailers
US: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Bookshop.org
More soon,
Freya x
Imagine living in a crackhouse, but not using crack. Everyone around you is addicted to crack, and they all think life is fine as is. Sometimes they contemplate getting off the crack, but they take their next hit, and it's back to the same routine. Meanwhile, you know what life is like outside the crackhouse, but can't convince anyone that it's better.
Swap cell phones for crack and earth for the crackhouse, and you've got the modern era. I came of age before cell phones, and remember what the world used to be like.
I have been saying for years that Whatsapp groupchats are NOT communities.
Thank you India for this new video of your panel discussion.