If you had a opportunity to become a recluse, would you? (retired, conversation)
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One of my brothers once told me, You're going to be an interesting eccentric.
I am a semi-recluse but have interaction with the clerks at our small gas station/grocery store. I adore the people that work there & I hear, they feel the same about me.
BUT I need my privacy & seldom invite people to my apartment. I want to be with people when I want them but want the privilege of my privacy.
Like Howard Hughes perhaps..
Interestingly the rise in new communication technology has made recluse like social tendencies easier in a way in that people can choose when and in what sphere they desire to interact with others.
Trying to find a group of people with interests as large as can be found on a website such as this would consume much time if, in say, in person meet ups, but on the internet enables it when and as one chooses.
Much like Curmudgeon's comment, I can easily be gregarious and enjoy being life of party - if I so desire - but it is not my 'default' social typology. I'd rather get to know a few people well than be buried amidst large groups of people for no purpose.
The whole 'tribal' thing many extraverts live for has since my youth been a turnoff. Perhaps it has something to do with formative years or is just innate. I have a highly independent minded streak that desires to be understood and if not easily accomplished with a group, would much prefer being a recluse who can seek out 'contact' as desired.
So as to the OP question, within certain parameters it would be quite enjoyable. Limited people whom are interesting and intelligent and can express themselves and communicate yes. The less amount of time with large amounts of mind numbed consumer driven constantly white noise babble people (celebrity fad followers et al) the better.
Oh hell yes! My dearest dream is to re-live the Twilight Zone episode 'Time Enough At Last' except, unlike Henry Bemis, I wouldn't break my glasses.
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In jail, to punish a prisoner they take them out of the general population so they don't have any contact with others. I believe something is wrong if you feel the need to self-impose such a life.
Nope. I don't want to shut myself off from the rest of the world.
The world is a big place with lots of interesting things to see.
And lots of interesting people to encounter.
I don't want to see everything by myself. I want to share those experiences with someone.
When I think of recluse I think Uni-Bomber.
No two people are alike and there are 7billion people on the planet.
Might as well meet as many as I can while I'm here....
Would love it. Also, I found it much more easy being a recluse in NYC than in the Midwest community I am currently living in now. Even though in NYC you are surrounded by people, you can keep anonymous and blend into the crowd. Here, everyone is in your business and you are forced to interact with them all the time. So, when I retire, I would either move to NYC if I were rich, or move out into the bush.
Although I can comfortably navigate amongst hordes of gregarious people I already AM a recluse, I have always walked alone and I could'nt change even if I wanted/needed to.
In jail, to punish a prisoner they take them out of the general population so they don't have any contact with others. I believe something is wrong if you feel the need to self-impose such a life.
Actually inmates do prefer to be isolated. I couldn't recall when releasing an inmate back to population who were to thrilled.
It has been interesting and also very surprising to me to note the large number of posters who prefer to be recluses. It is the common wisdom that we have evolved as a social species dependent on mutual cooperation for our survivial. Medicial epidemiologists claim that social isolation is not conducive to good health and vitality.
Yet we all know that we are not all the same, so it's not difficult for me to believe that some people can thrive quite well and be content as recluses. What surprises me is the large number who have found their way into this particular thread.
Let me be clear on one thing: A recluse who has freely chosen that path is harming no one and I don't see anything wrong with it, even as it remains a path I do not understand personally.
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