# Are you aware of any networks for people shut in their home? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 13, 2016, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-aware-of-any-networks-for-people-shut-in-their-home/743073 "2016-01-13T21:35:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-aware-of-any-networks-for-people-shut-in-their-home/743073/21 "2016-01-13T23:04:04Z")
You give up some privacy making friends face-to-face, too. You just have to decide if the benefits are worth it. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-aware-of-any-networks-for-people-shut-in-their-home/743073/22 "2016-01-13T23:04:18Z")
> [@CCitizen](#): > > Maybe I should. The problem with Internet is that there is no privacy – everything we say is for our future employers and dislikers. Not everything you do online is public, not necessarily anyway. It’s not like every chat log is saved and searchable by Google. And there’s those video chat roulette sites. ---
**Author:** ![CCitizen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4af34b/32.png) [@CCitizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CCitizen)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-aware-of-any-networks-for-people-shut-in-their-home/743073/23 "2016-01-13T23:35:22Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > Not everything you do online is public, not necessarily anyway. It’s not like every chat log is saved and searchable by Google. And there’s those video chat roulette sites. Thank you for help – I have a PhD in Math but I am ignorant in Computer Science – most modern freshmen in college know more then me. I am looking up video chat roulette. ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-aware-of-any-networks-for-people-shut-in-their-home/743073/24 "2016-01-13T23:45:06Z")
You don’t have to use your real name on Facebook. I’m under an alias with a matching gmail account. It’s not science. ---
**Author:** ![CCitizen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4af34b/32.png) [@CCitizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CCitizen)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-aware-of-any-networks-for-people-shut-in-their-home/743073/25 "2016-01-13T23:46:56Z")
> [@SeaDragonTattoo](#): > > You don’t have to use your real name on Facebook. I’m under an alias with a matching gmail account. It’s not science. I guess I should. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-aware-of-any-networks-for-people-shut-in-their-home/743073/26 "2016-01-14T00:04:52Z")
It should be possible to make real friends in World of Warcraft. If you haven’t, I might suggest that the problem isn’t the medium. But maybe try one of the dating websites and specify that you’re looking for phone friends. I think that OKCupid has quite a number of people who aren’t looking to date, just to make friends and take the tests. ---
**Author:** ![CCitizen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4af34b/32.png) [@CCitizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CCitizen)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-aware-of-any-networks-for-people-shut-in-their-home/743073/27 "2016-01-14T04:21:00Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > But maybe try one of the dating websites and specify that you’re looking for phone friends. I think that OKCupid has quite a number of people who aren’t looking to date, just to make friends and take the tests. I will ask my therapist. But then our house costs less then a small apartment in LA. ---
**Author:** ![Rodgers01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b19c9b/32.png) [@Rodgers01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rodgers01)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-aware-of-any-networks-for-people-shut-in-their-home/743073/28 "2016-01-14T06:15:00Z")
Can you explain a little more of your situation? Do you work? Why don’t you drive? Do you have no family nearby? If driving is an issue can you move to a place that has better public transportation? ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-aware-of-any-networks-for-people-shut-in-their-home/743073/29 "2016-01-14T07:02:24Z")
> [@CCitizen](#): > > I am looking up video chat roulette. Be prepared to see a lot of dicks. ---
**Author:** ![Shalmanese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 8:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-aware-of-any-networks-for-people-shut-in-their-home/743073/30 "2016-01-14T08:43:33Z")
How are you supporting yourself economically? How do you get basic household tasks done like feeding yourself, shopping and cleaning? Finding the right minimum wageish job, even if you don’t need the money, can be a useful social outlet. Similarly, volunteering at a hospital or old folks home serves the same purpose, just with less money. Reddit is the latest all purpose digital water cooler. There are plenty of smaller subreddits focused on specific niches where you can interact with people and eventually, get close enough to become friends. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 8:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-aware-of-any-networks-for-people-shut-in-their-home/743073/31 "2016-01-14T08:49:21Z")
Our house? Do you not live alone? Roommate? Partner? Pets? I’m getting confused? Recluse or socially awkward? Withdrawn? Are you truly housebound? Is it by choice? Are there taxis where you live? Very confusing, could you possibly be a little clearer? ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 9:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-aware-of-any-networks-for-people-shut-in-their-home/743073/32 "2016-01-14T09:08:29Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > Our house? > > Do you not live alone? Roommate? Partner? Pets? > > I’m getting confused? Recluse or socially awkward? Withdrawn? > > Are you truly housebound? Is it by choice? Are there taxis where you live? > > Very confusing, could you possibly be a little clearer? Ah, I see you are new to **CCitizen**. How exciting! Let me give you a few pointers (and correct me if I’m wrong here, CC): He lives with his parents and has a math PhD, but hates math. He is species Homo Interneticus. He has autism and depression. He is looking for telephone friends. He weighs 155 kg. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 11:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-aware-of-any-networks-for-people-shut-in-their-home/743073/33 "2016-01-14T11:34:25Z")
> [@Rigamarole](#): > > Ah, I see you are new to **CCitizen**. How exciting! Let me give you a few pointers (and correct me if I’m wrong here, CC): > > He lives with his parents and has a math PhD, but hates math. > > He is species Homo Interneticus. > > He has autism and depression. > > He is looking for telephone friends. > > He weighs 155 kg. He also earns an allowance of $3000/year. ETA: From his mom and dad, in case that wasn’t clear. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-aware-of-any-networks-for-people-shut-in-their-home/743073/34 "2016-01-14T13:11:31Z")
Have you gotten any useful answers from your other threads? > **[How to find telephone friends?](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=767592)** > > I tried posting to many forums – no success – one or two calls per person. I tried paying people on Fiver to talk to me – they took my money but did not help me. Now I am trying to Rent a Friend. Any advice? > **[How to find friends.](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=770419)** > > Before 1992, in High School and College I made a lot of friends. My rule was my way or highway. In 1992 a psychologist gave me an advice to strive for compromise in my relationships and to mostly listen to my friends. I did make some “friends” but... > **[Abandon Every Hope.](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=770971)** > > I have a PhD in Mathematics which hated with passion since '96. Now I am in the 6th year of an internship in which I am paid irregularly – about $3k/year. My parents support me and give me an allowance. But still I feel like I have no plans of my... > **[Is it permissible to display my alternative telephone #?](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=780190)** > > I got an alternative number from Freedom Voice. I am looking for friends. All of those had helpful suggestions; did you follow up on any of them? ---
**Author:** ![bobkitty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c67d28/32.png) [@bobkitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobkitty)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-aware-of-any-networks-for-people-shut-in-their-home/743073/35 "2016-01-14T17:37:08Z")
Can someone please explain why random words are in red in all those threads? They aren’t search terms. Is it a CC quirk? ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-aware-of-any-networks-for-people-shut-in-their-home/743073/36 "2016-01-14T17:45:27Z")
> [@bobkitty](#): > > Is it a CC quirk? Yes, he claims it helps him express his emotions. Something about red being for negative, blue positive, or some such thing. IMO, it’s just adding clutter to his posts. ---
**Author:** ![bobkitty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c67d28/32.png) [@bobkitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobkitty)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-aware-of-any-networks-for-people-shut-in-their-home/743073/37 "2016-01-14T19:09:11Z")
Thank you, **Telemark**. ---
**Author:** ![CCitizen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4af34b/32.png) [@CCitizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CCitizen)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-aware-of-any-networks-for-people-shut-in-their-home/743073/38 "2016-01-14T19:12:15Z")
> [@Rigamarole](#): > > Ah, I see you are new to **CCitizen**. How exciting! Let me give you a few pointers (and correct me if I’m wrong here, CC): > > He lives with his parents and has a math PhD, but hates math. > > He is species Homo Interneticus. > > He has autism and depression. > > He is looking for telephone friends. > > He weighs 155 kg. Oll Korrect – OK. ---
**Author:** ![CCitizen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4af34b/32.png) [@CCitizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CCitizen)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-aware-of-any-networks-for-people-shut-in-their-home/743073/39 "2016-01-14T19:13:19Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > He also earns an allowance of $3000/year. > > ETA: From his mom and dad, in case that wasn’t clear. Actually more like $1,500/year from my parents. And a little from my Internship. ---
**Author:** ![CCitizen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4af34b/32.png) [@CCitizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CCitizen)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-aware-of-any-networks-for-people-shut-in-their-home/743073/40 "2016-01-14T19:14:29Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > Yes, he claims it helps him express his emotions. Something about red being for negative, blue positive, or some such thing. IMO, it’s just adding clutter to his posts. Red is important, or angry. Blue – Internet. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-aware-of-any-networks-for-people-shut-in-their-home/743073.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-you-aware-of-any-networks-for-people-shut-in-their-home/743073.md?page=3)