On: Designing cities to counter loneliness? Let's expl...

[kanox]

I have the exact opposite problem: it's too difficult to politely exclude myself from potential social situations.

Seeing that some people consider "loneliness" as a problem to be fixed is a nightmare. I know I am very much part of the problem and I don't want to be fixed: I want to stay the fuck away from you.

[icebraining → kanox]

Loneliness is a problem, it's just that too many people confused being alone with being lonely.

Our language has wisely sensed these two sides of man’s being alone. It has created the word "loneliness" to express the pain of being alone. And it has created the word "solitude" to express the glory of being alone. (...) We are alone, perhaps in the midst of multitudes, but we are not lonely. Solitude protects us without isolating us. But life calls us back to its empty talk and the unavoidable demands of daily routine. It calls us back to its loneliness and the cover that it, in turn, spreads over our loneliness.

-- Paul Tillich, "The Eternal Now"

[pantalaimon → kanox]

Just wait a few years until you are older, there will be hardly any social situations where you are invited anymore.