When I was a preteen on /pol/ there was a serious fetish for showing affection to your fellow posters, calling each other 'brother' and other cheesy shit. I thought when I was a stupid little fuck that these people really cared for me and wanted to know what I had to say, then I became a leftist and I never felt that again. I've never been part of any leftist community or project where I felt like people gave enough of a shit about me to forgive even a minor transgression. I feel similarly cold about these people who I am around. Its like in a heist movie where all the characters are brought together for a common goal and once they accomplish it they promise to never speak again. Anyone else feel this?
This is a place where a lot of us express very critical view of the world, in both senses of the word. I think that's helpful for trying to understand this shit hellscape but it doesn't always make for the best community building and solidarity. I find that a lot easier offline, and have been lucky enough to continue through the pandemic because I live with other lefties.
In spaces like this I always liked the megathreads, because people would genuinely connect with each other a bit better; talking about gardening, sharing movies and essays, reaching out for support, etc. I think we could be a bit more intentional to talk directly to each other more. It's important to be a space that isn't just for a mutual interest and talking at each other about it, but one where we actually take in interest in each other as well as the shit we're talking about.
In light of that, I hope your day is going well OP <3