I don't understand from your comment why a 3rd place - the importance of which I do indeed recognize in our modern world - is impossible on the Internet, if that's what you are implying? I imagine most of us on HN have been part of online communities that were meaningful. Some people, myself included, keep those places going - on Discord and the like.
Post is about incentives and qualia; digital 3rd places exist on the internet and have their own value. I'm glad they exist and that people maintain them. Some of the best early digital 3rds were BBSes which were also high friction and low observability.
I mean, it's that digital "places" are not nearly as good as physical places, is the sense a lot of us have.
I've seen some people who have good descriptions or arguments for why they think this is true. But for me, it's pretty much entirely a visceral intuitive feeling about it. But nevertheless I think it's right. I think we need in-person connection to thrive.
