I hate the term "new normal" with a passion.

That's what I mean.. Some need it, some are averse to it.

I've had two polar opposite kinds of living. During my backpacking days (which ended a handful of years ago), I would live with many.. 12 people sleeping in a room, same bathroom/showers, same kitchen, one "living room" with one TV, books, couches, etc.. Completely communal. You had to be cooperative, fairly social (although there were some who never said a word?), etc...

Since I came back from Australia, I've lived alone for over 5 years. I couldn't have it any other way. I avoid expenses because I never want to be in a situation where I'd have to move out, or have a roommate (this house doesn't have the room, anyway). I've gone almost 3 weeks without leaving my house, and I love it. This year, I've only gone shopping for food. I've visited family a handful of times (usually not fun, but I have two nieces, and I'm enduring bullshit so they never have to say "Did Uncle BillHicksFan not like us while he was alive?").

Would you consider what we're doing social?... There is a friend I talk on the phone about 3-4 times a week, but he's very odd - he's the type to disappear. He hardly picks up the phone when I call, but unless I'm doing something, I'll pick it up, or call at a better time.

I prefer the world of the internet, as much as I critique technology (and how it effects art), I think I can not only achieve more, but do it in less time. For example, talking about movies. In real life, most people I run into don't even watch movies. If they do, it's something in the background, nothing too serious. With message boards, there are a handful (not many, but still) of people who know the non-commercial movies I like, as I can't stand 99% of the "art" made in my lifetime. And, there are many more message boards, with emphasis and personalities of their own. I can ask the same questions I do here on other sites, which is great, because I love to compare the "message board personality", but I also

#2 (continued... this character limit is bullshit - admin/mods, are you reading this? I can't even paste cool articles, interviews, or reply!)

.... but I also get 10x the amount of recommendations (if that's what I'm looking for), or 10x the amount of answers to rhetorical and specific questions that are important to me. And with almost every board, there are other topics, and usually those with great taste in movies have great taste otherwise. If I find someone who is very simpatico with me, I'll tend to look at the movies on his/her list that I don't know because I'm confident I'd like it.

What else is there? Sex? Pornography isn't a billion dollar industry by accident. It gets the biological response we need (orgasm), and the imagination going with graphics, including the ability to pick exactly the kind of woman, body type, fantasy, etc, without all the bullshit that goes along with it. No worries about disease, pregnancy, etc etc.. And after your 5 minute video, you can go back to living your life, instead of the customary things we might not like to do, but do out of courtesy, and (usually) to have that person in your partner list for possible future encounters. I've changed (in the last two years or so) with this, and don't have to waste time "looking" (usually a waste of time). If you ask people how they meet today, it's probably not "socially" (face to face). From the beginning I'm sure it was about those you lived around, then school, then work, and to the modern age when it added "the bar". Now, it seems most people meet online. I've only done this twice, and would advise against it.