We're also deep in a pandemic where olden times means of socialization are pretty restricted. I'm not gonna walk into a bar in 2021 to be assaulted by smoke, sound, and covid. Just the smoke and sound has been enough to keep me out of them for over a decade now.
Smoking in bars is also forbidden here. Many pubs don't play music; and in these COVID times, I often find there's just one other person in there, reading a paper.
>I often find there's just one other person in there, reading a paper.
That sounds pleasant. Smoking restrictions here vary greatly on a city by city basis. Unfortunately the bar scene in my city likes to pretend we aren't in a pandemic and only a few have decided to brave a smaller customer base and ban smoking.
And we also lived fulfilling lives before the invention of the smartphone, tv, printing press, sewer system or agriculture. What exactly is your point?
There’s a user need. In this case it addresses the needs of a minority that’s been, until recently, highly oppressed. You don’t get to just say “things were fine before this existed”.
When something imperfect solves a real problem you don’t get to just say “oh just don’t use it”, especially when it’s not a problem YOU have. Talk about privilege!
Why are you on HN instead of sharing your bad opinions with your friends in person? You have zero reason to be online, conversations existed before the internet, you know...