As TV comedies evolve with the world, their hangout spots illuminate a shift happening in our society away from wide-reaching community engagement towards closed social circles. Moreover, the hangout spots of our favorite shows give us a hint that this trend has everything to do with the increasingly difficult experience of friendship.

You see, I had been thinking of transformation in the wrong way. Methodist types like me talk often about sanctification - the lifelong process of growing in grace and becoming a better follower of Jesus. I had convinced myself that the way to grow was to work, shoving aside room for fun as if laughter and silliness hindered my holiness.