Old Trend In New Shoes
Friends are the broader term that is used for our selected family. Friends are the people who become an important part of our lives. These associations are not formed through genetic connection.
When they are genuine, they become stronger instead of breaking down in tough times.
Friendships cannot be forced or manufactured
They are forged on their own in their own ways
The advent of social media altered the way friendships were formed. Prior to that, one’s friends were restricted to the environment around them and included people whom they already knew or had met somewhere along the way. However, social media provided an entirely new way of meeting and befriending people. It enabled people to meet and befriend others from anywhere around the world.
But slowly, for some people, the virtual world started overshadowing its real counterpart. We started making many friends from every corner of the world. But we started drifting away from the ones closest to us.
As a result, our horizons broadened, and so did our loneliness.
But it seems the trend is reversing because people are returning to offline interactions to rediscover their lost company, yet in another way.
In America, and some other nations, these clubs have become extremely popular because they offer a platform where people get together and socialize because of their common interest in things like reading books, solving puzzles, or discussing something in particular.
No casual conversations, no ice-breaking sessions.
The foundation of friendship is nothing but common interests. If a person is aloof, reserved, or hesitant to open up, these clubs give them a chance to find and connect with their peer group.
For instance, a 41-year-old software engineer, Daniel Naren, has joined a ‘Puzzle People’ group in New York.
He explains that he is too shy to initiate conversations at the bar. But in the club, the puzzle provides a common ground to start talking.
Similarly, there are countless variations of these communities, each with its own unique appeal.
‘Reading Rhythm’ for bookworms, ‘Critical Thinking Club’ for rationalists, and so on.
These clubs may seem novel. But the underlying concept is not. It’s an innovative and modern adaptation of existing practices, embracing the changes and challenges of the present time.
These groups reflect the willingness of the public to rebuild genuine, real friendships. Not the ones limited to phones or screens. But the kind of companionship that thrives in every situation.