Ask HN: How can we solve the loneliness epidemic?

Posted by publicdebates 3 days ago

Countless voiceless people sit alone every day and have no one to talk to, people of all ages, who don't feel that they can join any local groups. So they sit on social media all day when they're not at work or school. How can we solve this?

781 points | 1218 commentspage 33

eastbound 2 days ago|

May I suggest that the political divide is extremely harmful? I don’t understand why [other camp] is so hateful, socially excluding at the first sign of our political leaning, etc.

I agree we also need to organize activities, but when social circles are occupied by the other camp with a witchhunt bonus, it is discouraging to try. And recursively encourages political extremism.

Incoming comment: “Not our problem, don’t be a Nazi.”

syntaxing 3 days ago||

Are you talking about the US? If so, I heard this proposed on a podcast “Grey Area”. Mandatory two year draft for all, regardless of gender. It sounds crazy at first but it kind makes sense the more you think about it.

lifeisstillgood 3 days ago||

I also have long thought this. Probably not for military service but some form of community service,

hightrix 3 days ago||

No. It sounds crazy after thinking about it for a while also. Especially with the current administration.

This is not the American way.

syntaxing 3 days ago||

Hmm interesting, what is the American way? We had conscription between 1940-1973. What makes it non American?

hightrix 3 days ago||

The draft was wildly unpopular during that short period of time when it was active.

Americans, prior to trump, espoused the concept of freedom. That includes the freedom to not serve in the military.

syntaxing 3 days ago||

I think I get what you’re trying to say but realistically, it doesn’t add up. The draft was 33 years. The US is only 250 years old (give or take) so over 10% of our history had conscription. The Vietnam and Korean War was widely unpopular because it was the first broadcasted war. People watch their family get blown up on TV. It had nothing to do with “freedom to serve military”.

If you argue a draft is counterproductive because it a waste of resources and we have better means to serve young adults, I could buy it. But arguing a draft is not the American way because it’s “our freedom to decide what we want” is a bit silly.

I do absolutely agree that I wouldn’t trust the current administration or culture to faithfully execute on this idea though.

28304283409234 3 days ago|

No. We are too busy worrying about an invading USA.