I'd been thinking for quite some time that I got along quite well with people who are a bit younger than me. And I think to a certain extent I do; the fact I'm reasonably well-versed in Internet culture, slang and suchlike means that I can generally hold my own in a conversation online with people who are a bit my junior.
But I think I've been underestimating the appeal of hanging out with people who are more my age. Just recently, I signed up for RoseTintedSpectrum's Patreon — I said I would, and I did — and joined his Discord. And it's been a thoroughly pleasant, chill experience ever since arriving; no drama, no endlessly scrolling barrage of memes, no bullshit — just people who want to have a chat occasionally, have a bit of peace and quiet at other times.
This is nice. I think the reason I habitually find myself getting overwhelmed by Discord is when there are servers that are just constant flurries of activity — but said activity isn't really "saying" or "achieving" anything. I grew tired of memes-as-conversation-substitute long ago, for example, and even NSFW channels aren't all that fun any more — if I want to look at lewd images, I'll do it in private, no real need to share it, no real need to make perverted "degenerate" jokes.
RTS' Discord, though, it's just a sort of nice virtual old man pub. And I mean that as a compliment; my friends and I used to absolutely relish going to an "old man pub" even when we were in our late teens, because it's just nice to have somewhere peaceful and welcoming to hang out with no pressure from societal expectations. Now I'm an actual old man (relatively speaking), the appeal is definitely there, for sure.
Anyway. This ol' man is going to bed now. His bones are achin'.
Discover more from I'm Not Doctor Who
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
