Molly Young at the New York Times takes a look at why nobody on Monday morning at the office has a good answer anymore for the “How was your weekend?” query:
The reason is obvious: We no longer go out. And why would we, when the allure of staying in has reached irresistible proportions? Why risk a restaurant when you can order Seamless or sauté premade gnocchi from Blue Apron? Why go to a bar when you can swipe right? Why go to a reading when you can download a podcast? Why pay $15 to see a boneheaded Marvel rehash in theaters when the world of premium streaming content is at your fingertips? Food, entertainment, romance: The traditional weekend staples are now available entirely on demand. The centripetal force of our homes has never been stronger.
The rise of city-dwellers staying in is hard to quantify; how do you measure the frequency with which people don’t leave their homes? But culture, as usual, offers a mirror. Of all the customs that seem dated on shows like “Sex and the City” and “Entourage,” one of the most glaring is how often the characters went out — to premieres, cocktail parties, restaurant openings (are those even still a thing?), art openings, clubs … events. Multiple events in one evening! These tableaux have been replaced by Abbi and Ilana of “Broad City” getting trapped on the Internet all night and the stylishly domesticated Dev and Rachel on “Master of None” barely leaving their apartment.
Read on for lots more astute analysis and some stuff about Willa Cather. I particularly like the part about the upsides of going out (“You could have a life-altering adventure, meet your soul mate, find your new best friend”). And the line, “[W]hat’s the point of living in a city if you treat it like a suburb?”
So, for goodness sake, go out this week. Here are some ideas:
- NOFX and the Mean Jeans tonight at the newly reopened UC Theater near UC Berkeley
- Watch the potentially incredibly historic final Warriors game of the season on Wednesday night at a bar with a room full of other Warriors fans
- Roger Niner Karaoke, where you can sing “Linoleum” by NOFX, Friday at Pop’s
- CCR Headcleaner and Neutrals at Thrillhouse Records for Record Store Day on Saturday afternoon
- Girlpool next week at Rickshaw Stop
- See a movie at the new Alamo Drafthouse anytime
And of course…
- American Tripps, the “Berlin-style” ping pong night, every Monday at Pop’s
Have a life-altering adventure!!!
(“Master of None” is really good though.)
[Photo by Christine Huang]
Exactly! I live in the city, so I can take a nap after work and then go out. This is a win-win sleep/going out schedule.