Trey Nosrac's exploration delves into the world of harness racing and its connection to social dynamics. Layne Henderson, with his long salt-and-pepper beard, shares insights on the significance of face-to-face interactions and the impact of modern loneliness.

Uncovering the Social Threads in Harness Racing

The Coffee Table Conversation

At the Deja Brew Coffee and Egg Emporium, Layne placed his coffee cup on the blue-tiled tabletop and pointed his long index finger at Trey. They engaged in a thought-provoking discussion about being "freaks" and the importance of going beyond the ordinary. Normal, they agreed, is boring, and it's better to be unique. This led to a conversation about a book, "We Need to Hang Out," by Billy Baker.Trey playfully dismissed the idea of reading a book published after 1989 with long words. But Layne insisted that Trey read more than just race programs and yearling catalogs. They delved into the topic of modern loneliness and how it affects people, especially men over 45. Almost 50 million Americans in this age group suffer from chronic loneliness, and Covid has made it worse. Close friendships have lapsed into distant memories.

The Role of Horse Racing

Trey shared that most of his friends are from harness horse racing. Horse racing, he said, is from an era where face-to-face interactions were more common. The sport's pulse beats on with old timers who have found a community through it. Their friendships and the twists and turns in the game keep them alive. But Layne pointed out that handicappers seem to self-isolate purposefully.They also discussed the differences between male and female friendships. Women gossip and talk face-to-face, while men talk shoulder-to-shoulder. Trey found it annoying when a woman he took to the racetrack wanted to chat and wander around.

Social Media and the New World

Social media was brought up as a way to connect people. But Layne argued that it doesn't offer deep connections. In the new world, where people will be more likely to be nose-to-screen with laptops and phones, face-to-face and shoulder-to-shoulder interactions will become fewer.However, Layne also saw an opportunity in technology. It has spawned passionate micro-communities, and harness racing needs to be among them. There are possibilities for communication and interaction in grassroots horse racing communities.

Finding New Connections

Layne suggested some ideas for finding new connections in micro-communities. Maybe an ownership partnership group on a yearling or gamblers debating the best value wagers could provide plenty of communication topics. Fanatics could dive into breeding data analysis. Taking up a cause can create face-to-face interaction.Trey was skeptical but agreed to keep chipping away. They ended the conversation with a plan to meet again the next week, realizing that talking is good therapy.