Part 4/13:
This cultural shift points to a certain rigidity and seriousness that seems to be replacing the more carefree, unstructured social habits of previous generations. A notable example is the decline in spontaneous hangouts or casual social gatherings, replaced instead by scheduled catch-ups that can be ticked off like chores. The loss of the art of "hanging out"—which involves unplanned, fluid, and long conversations—is lamented as a consequence of this regimented mentality.