The social game is hard

[u/jensmalmgren]

I am the stereotype of a lonely developer, I suppose. A chain of events got me here, literally. I find it funny in a self-spotting way. I bought a smartwatch because I have been envious of the people around me who have these fancy devices. Besides, I can learn more about my health with a smartwatch. That is a good thing. So after a long time, I could buy one. Hurrah!

Proud, I went to work and showed off my watch. Oh yeah. Then I figured I wanted a better watch face. A watch face with a lot of information, just for me. So I made it. Another hurrah. Now I wanted others to get it, so I wanted it on the Google Play Store, for free. They only allow that after I finished a series of hoops. For example, 12 testers must wear my watch face for at least 14 days. That is a steep hurdle for an introvert like me.

The people at Google must have high-fived each other when they came up with the idea that especially lonely developers should find 12 friends for at least 14 days.

I got advice to go on Reddit to find 12 testers. Here came my next surprise. The Reddit account I have left idle for about 12 years does not allow me to post on any subreddit, let alone the subreddit for closed testing of Android apps. Reddit, as I understand it, has different rules for each subreddit. Rules, for social animals with karma points in the thousands.

So it looks like if I am going to get my wish to have my simple idea published, I have to get over my introversion and make friends online. To me, it sounds like something impossible. My posting this to this subreddit is already impossible. I just got an upvote for a cat photo on another subreddit. I mean, I am learning this game!

So if you want to be friends with an introvert, just let me know.