Maggie's Farm

As a middle age man I have experienced these very impressions of loneliness.

I have made attempts on occasion to create more social interaction.

Usually, about 15 minutes with other people is enough for 6 months to a year.

I have theorized the huge rise in loneliness is directly correlated to the huge rise in narcissism. People who are alone have a much harder time being narcissistic.

That difficulty comes not from the inability to focus solely on themselves and their talents, but the total lack of reinforcement when they are alone.

Consequently the more social people these days tend to also be more hyper-narcissistic.

Let me give an example. Causal discussions where someone, or more than someone, in the group continually fact check the minute details of anything said among the group on their phones.

That one situation alone I have experienced in many social situations.

And, the end result is, fewer and fewer middle of the road personalities can stand to be in social situations anywhere. It really just becomes a burden, so we end up more alone.

I have only a very few close friends. We are scattered geographically and demographically, so it is what it is.