People got better at something they practiced?<p>> Though many people have this pervasive fear, research has shown that most strangers are perfectly happy to be spoken to, leaving this common fear unfounded.<p>They could be happy because it’s a nice change of pace. But what would happen if 20% of people started interacting more with other people? Would that be liked, or would people be annoyed with that?<p>> Social interaction is very important and has many well-documented benefits, such as increased happiness, better health, and stronger sense of belonging.<p>This has become yet another thing for me to worry about: how many “cigarettes worth” am I smoking by not socializing enough? Thanks, media.<p>I am almost never lonely alone. (Being along isn’t terribly fun but it doesn’t feel <i>bad</i>, either.) Only together with other people. Because I see what they have and what I don’t. Then I blame myself for my jealousy—it is mine, after all. But jealousy is a social thing too, is it not? And that’s kind of the kicker. Feeling out of place, unworthy, being bothered by the well-adjustedness of others <i>is also</i> part of the social game. So yeah, <i>they</i> get to have better blood pressure, better longevity, and so on—good for them. But I wonder: was their joy and happiness a social co-creation, while my less-than-happy disposition (again, in the proximity of other people) was self-inflicted? Because it wasn’t like I just looked at the bare facts (as presented to me) of other people’s lives and then felt bad—I was also informed, in no uncertain terms, of what was acceptable, good, wholesome, and what was deservedly labeled as miserable and degenerate.<p>And yet they will be happy together while my misery is almost only mine—(1) it was self-inflicted, (2) there is no one else to blame but “society”, which is too vague, and (3) being upset at others would just lower my status further.<p>And I also will be quiet about this to others. Because no one wants to hear about it. But I will know. And they will know. And I will say “it was fine”. And they will judge me or don’t care. And I will think that they judge me.