>>11759237Authentic means he recognises nothing is real and he has a choice of either aligning himself with like-minded people or remaining friends with someone difficult. It's a very bad sign for your friendship, but try to see it from his perspective. Insincere alliances are the basis of the modern economy. The triumph of reductionism: we are nothing, we live alone, we die alone, we are nothing. In the meantime, you can arrange the variables of your life in a way to give yourself the best odds of minimal pain and maximum comfort. Most go crazy, but it's easier to get past your crazy episode in comfort than in need. We're very risk-averse, and you might have become a risk your friend is still willing to interact with, but only at a safe distance. You need to figure out what you want, because this isn't going to be magically replaced with great relationships and deep bonds anytime soon. I wish you the best! I'm on the losing end of this situation and I'm not headed for a positive end, so I hope it goes better for you.
