Pandemic nights are a drag. Days of the week feel indistinguishable from each other. Six p.m. feels like midnight. No matter how much you run the clock down with activities, the specter of the old life—of house parties, bar nights, and concerts—lingers, reminding us that we are, to varying degrees, profoundly and indefinitely alone. Social media has been something of a balm. Twitter is a trip now that we all “have time.” Twitch is crucial. TikTok is a vast network of rabbit holes if you play your cards correctly. It’s much easier to be in the mix when the event is digital, but you still have to be quick on the draw to get the most from the internet. You can catch the good Twitch clips on LiveStreamFails, but that kills the element of surprise. Verzuz comments sections are priceless, but watching a replay is not as fun as following the night as it unfolds.
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