Source: Fortune
Summary
Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace promised to bring people together but instead delivered an attention economy that contributed to a global loneliness epidemic. The World Health Organization found that 1 in 6 people worldwide experience persistent loneliness, contributing to 870,000 deaths per year. In response, a new market is emerging – the IRL economy – which facilitates in-person belonging through businesses like meet-up apps, coworking spaces, and travel companies. The IRL economy is valued at over $1 trillion and is expected to grow as people seek meaningful social connections.
Our Reading
The numbers tell one story.
Facebook and Twitter promised connection but delivered isolation. The IRL economy is now filling the gap with businesses like WeRoad, which offers structured immersion and real-world connection. The market is valued at over $1 trillion and is expected to grow as people seek meaningful social connections. The IRL economy is not just about travel or dining, but about context and connection. As one entrepreneur said, “The real product is always connection.”
Loneliness has become a $406 billion problem in the US alone, but it’s also a business opportunity.
The IRL economy is not just about rejecting screens, but about rebuilding social scaffolding.
Friction-maxxing is the new trend, where people deliberately seek out inconvenient experiences to find connection.
The IRL economy is still emerging, but it’s clear that the next trillion-dollar consumer market won’t be built on a screen.
Author: Evan Null
