How to leave the house

I hate that I live in a world where people get a dog because socialization is so broken and a nameless interaction at a park is among the barrel-scraping interactions people are doing to cope with it. Like if it's gotten that bad we should be having a revolution, not getting dogs.

People have always been shy and unsure about meeting others. It is expressed different in different societies but the issue is there.

There used to be this plethora of study groups, non-profit associations doing whatever, book circles etc to meet people in a somewhat formalised manner that wasn't a date.

Big tech has displaced those and replaced them with nothing.

Book clubs are alive and well, my SO is part of two right now. I'm reading a book with coworkers and we'll be discussing in a few weeks.

Some old traditions are now competing with a larger variety of physical and virtual activities. IMO you could blame the car as much as the smart phone.