teddit

new study (disclaimer: not peer reviewed) found that chatbot use was associated with *greater* loneliness and reduced social interaction.

don't think it's crazy that people will start paying for friends vs. paying for AI services to address this.

sounds dystopian but if you consider how it's already happening then you realize it's surprisingly not. for example, in LA and NYC:

- social clubs like SoHo House or Zero Bond; you have to pay
- luxury wellness spaces like Hume or Othership; you have to pay
- cool coworking spaces like Neuehouse or Malin; you have to pay
- group activity apps like 222 or TimeLeft; you have to pay

link to study: https://arxiv.org/html/2503.17473v1

Pretty dark when you combine it with the reality that below median income earners are incredibly time poor between juggling multiple jobs, long commutes and childcare.

If paying to have IRL friends becomes the norm it will become a privilege denied to many not long after.