The Antisocial Parasocialist

7 hours ago by @mikedebenham

Liner Notes

Apparently the word 'parasocial' has been around since the 1950s, but I didn't hear it until a few years ago. It's when 'viewers or listeners come to consider media personalities as friends, despite having no or limited interactions with them'. (Thanks Wikipedia.) I guess it's more common in the internet age, with artists like Taylor Swift actively encouraging it via social media etc.

I'm lazy enough at keeping up with my real friends, so pretending I have famous ones sounds like work, but I guess I can understand where the parasocial thing comes from. I remember how, back in the dark days of Covid when I couldn't see my friends for a couple of years, I found myself leaning on a couple of podcasts to help fill the social hole, and ended up feeling very friendly towards these people I've never met. Even here on FAWM there are people I think of as friends and have huge good will towards, just from enjoying their music over the years. It feels pretty benign at this level... but that's exactly what someone in a parasocial relationship *would* say. Leave my good friend Taylor alone, you monsters.

#song

Lyrics

if i met you on the street
i'd be surprised 'cause you don't live 'round here
but if i met you on the street
i'd probably just walk by
or i'd say hi and give a nod
that would convey how much i like you
in a boundary-respecting kind of way

now is it weird that i consider you my friend?
and is it weird that i sometimes pretend
that maybe you've popped round for tea
and we both have a reasonably good time?
let me know if i'm crossing a line

i'll probably never meet you
but i feel i really know you
yes i'm sounding like a stalker
but i promise you it's fine
i'm just trying to let you know
that you've been such a help to me
but i don't want to take up any of your time

now is it weird that i consider you my friend?
and is it weird that this weekend i will spend
a rather large amount of time
constructing clever anagrams out of your name
let me know if i'm crossing a line

you're quite antisocial, so am i
we should get together and talk about it
you're no fan of small talk, nor am i
we should get together and talk about it
woohoo

you don't know me from a bar of soap
but you can borrow mine

now is it weird that i consider you my friend?
and is it weird that this evening i intend
to draw your face on a balloon
so you can watch me as i sleep and dream of you?
let me know if i'm crossing a line

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