ANALYZE THIS: The Anti-Social Century by Derek Thompson ⟡ Article Discussion
Details
Analyze This is a highly philosophical social club that brings nerds together to discuss interesting topics (interesting to us, at least)!
As our names might suggest, we at Analyze This and Difficult Friends love overthinkers!
In reading and talking through big ideas together, we hope to deepen our shared capacity for textual and critical analysis. Come read with us to sharpen your intellectual skills and learn how to better argue, debate, and disagree! We don't mind a little contrarianism ;-)
This week, we're reading and discussing:
The Anti-Social Century by Derek Thompson
"Americans are now spending more time alone than ever. It’s changing our personalities, our politics, and even our relationship to reality."
Published in The Atlantic in February 2025, this article became a national viral sensation (again: among nerds, at least). And the question it asks has become no less relevant a year later: If Americans are increasingly choosing to be alone and not feeling lonely about it, in what sense is this a problem at all?
Get the reading for free through our Gift Link here.
Our Monthly Theme for May: Belonging
Every 1-3 months, our group chooses a special theme to explore in our events. This writing workshop is part of our May session on "Belonging." What does it mean to belong? How do you know when you belong? And how does our contemporary moment (crisis, if you prefer) shape our sense of belonging? Those are some of the questions we hope to investigate this month, while offering Austinites intellectual harbor in our own arts & humanities community.
This Week's Location: Easy Tiger at the Linc
Y'all, I really want to get out to some different local bars instead of defaulting to Easy Tiger. But it's just too... Easy. 🐅 If you have different ideas, please let me know. But otherwise, see you at the LINC LOCATION.
There are multiple locations. And we are meeting at the Linc! 🐯❤️
About Us
This group is a project by Difficult Friends, a community-run arts & humanities club: Website ⟡ Instagram
We empower Austinites to tackle Difficult ideas and projects.
Our core values are:
- creative growth,
- intellectual challenge,
- human connection, and
- civic imagination.
Our events are designed as fun intellectual workouts and creative experiments. We host workshops and discussions that push Austin residents to think harder thoughts, make cooler stuff, and connect more deeply across their human differences.
This is not an organization for the faint of heart. As our name suggests, we take pride in being Difficult Friends and in confronting Difficult challenges.
Meaning is Difficult! Embrace the Difficult!
About Me
I'm a writer living in Austin with my dog, Cookie. If you're interested in following my thoughts, you can find me at https://substack.com/@rachelsummercheong There's not much up there yet, since I've been working on writing a novel mostly. But I love long essays, fiction, and philosophy. I also like to draw and go out dancing.
Statement of Welcome & Inclusivity
Here at Difficult Friends, we believe everybody can be Difficult. ;-)
Difficult Friends is an inclusive community space, and we particularly seek to protect and welcome our LGBTQIA+, queer, transgender, and nonbinary members. Event attendees may be asked to share their preferred pronouns and will be asked to respect the preferred pronouns shared by other participants. Women, immigrants, people of color, religious minorities, people with disabilities, and neurodivergent folks seeking a diverse community are also especially encouraged to attend!
That said, no particular identity performance is needed, desired, or expected from our Difficult Friends. Come as you are and know you have a seat at our table, no matter how life has brought you into our community.