"logging off" doesn't really work for people
I agree, but I also think that when people say touch grass or log off, they imply that people return to their (presumably somewhat social, at least partially connected) real lives. Most people are not completely isolated in the way that some terminally online posters are, so I think that is a fair assumption to make about what logging off/touching grass refers to. On the other hand, if someone is really isolated, they still need to log off to build that life.
Society is a fuck, but creating a marginal social life is still possible. Obviously difficult, but not impossible!
I think what I'm talking about here is distinct from what alienation means in the Marxist context!
We're losing our humanity by virtue of losing empathy - thoughts?
This is not just a reference to hexbear, but the (western) world at large. I've noticed so many people in my life slowly lose their ability to exist in relationship with others. Lose their ability to be social - one of the most basic tenants of humanity. One of the most obvious symptoms is less empathy, but it extends to the bounds of human-human relationships. Humor, conflict resolution, eye-contact, finding babies cute, casual conversation, holding the door for people, whatever. I see it all withering. People are just fucking losing it man.
I know that most people here understand this intuitively, but I guess I'm suggesting to broaden the take. Everyone knows that atomization + high stress society --> anti-social behaviors. But I think that because humankind is so based on existing in relation to other humans, that we (at least on this forum) tend to downplay how far these effects go. I'm saying that beyond being grumpy, we're losing really basic parts of being human. Most of my fr