[wowokay]

I assume you don’t keep in touch with people through social media or texting then? Or would you not consider those remote people actual friends since you can’t collaborate with them in physical locations regularly?

[icedchai]

There are former work colleagues that I do keep in touch with regularly, yes. We do text and do get together every now and then. I knew them from before the pandemic, when we worked at an office together, from before remote work became a semi-permanent thing. If you work at a "remote first" company where people are spread all over the country or world, this won't happen unless you happen to have someone nearby.

[s1artibartfast]

For the most part, I don't consider people I keep in contact with on social media or via text close friends. At best, our friendships are on hold.

Nearly all of the meaningful interactions I have with friends require collocation.