a few weeks ago i realized that all three of my housemates’ relationships are long-distance, and then i realized that most of my out-of-school friends’ relationships are long-distance, and then i realized that most of my friendships have been long-distance for almost my entire life, the only exception being my senior year of college
"i know that these lists will only grow longer, and the past will only grow larger, and the pile of things to mourn will only grow heavier" I've had this worry sometimes that the more people I talk to and conversations I have, the more it feels like everything bleeds together, I start forgetting more who said what, even personal details like what people are up to or where they're living seem to become harder to remember. it's a little concerning, but I also take some comfort in the claim that we have virtually unlimited memory, and as long as we have some use for a piece of information we'll remember it. all that said it does feel like the "weight" of the past is heavier now in my late twenties than it was a decade ago, and I wonder what it'll feel like many decades hence
As a fellow long-distance expert, I agree calling/texting is pretty good for keeping in touch with people you already know! IMO what's hard to replicate in a different location is (a) doing an actual activity together, (b) spontaneous interactions with new people or people you barely know, and (c) the number of people I can handle keeping in touch with in the same location is still higher at least for me.
Sounds like you want consumer tech to fix (a) and the in-person interactions. Or do you also care about (b)/(c)?
Why not create a hacker house? It would be a great way for your distant friends to visit and spend quality time with you, similar to your experience at the free MIT hotel.
"i think the future is too uncertain to not love the present ferociously." help im gonna cry
"i know that these lists will only grow longer, and the past will only grow larger, and the pile of things to mourn will only grow heavier" I've had this worry sometimes that the more people I talk to and conversations I have, the more it feels like everything bleeds together, I start forgetting more who said what, even personal details like what people are up to or where they're living seem to become harder to remember. it's a little concerning, but I also take some comfort in the claim that we have virtually unlimited memory, and as long as we have some use for a piece of information we'll remember it. all that said it does feel like the "weight" of the past is heavier now in my late twenties than it was a decade ago, and I wonder what it'll feel like many decades hence
As a fellow long-distance expert, I agree calling/texting is pretty good for keeping in touch with people you already know! IMO what's hard to replicate in a different location is (a) doing an actual activity together, (b) spontaneous interactions with new people or people you barely know, and (c) the number of people I can handle keeping in touch with in the same location is still higher at least for me.
Sounds like you want consumer tech to fix (a) and the in-person interactions. Or do you also care about (b)/(c)?
yeah mostly a), i don't really experience c) and b) is nice to have but not something i actively feel a need for
Why not create a hacker house? It would be a great way for your distant friends to visit and spend quality time with you, similar to your experience at the free MIT hotel.
i already live in one lol