>>9969434Yes, but after trying to take responsibility for it for a long time, I legitimately blame other people. Basic interactions weren't needlessly tense, canned, and stilted 10 years ago. Something happened, besides politics, that makes deep connection with educated and middle class people impossible. There's a point you can get to where things are pleasant but surface level over several months. Which is okay for co-workers and acquaintances, but not friends. If you push things any more and begin to speak authentically, they get uncomfortable and defensive, even if you are hanging out. They seem to see this as rude. They refuse to even try to see you if they can't understand you, even if you just made great efforts to understand them. They can't engage with the full spectrum of human emotion, because they are scared of powerful emotions. They understand nothing. Nothing moves them because they are always content. They are also obsessed with politeness, which consists of extracting approval and unearned respect from everyone they encounter. It would be fine if they were simple, but many are highly intelligent on paper, and even complain about loneliness on social media. I came to the conclusion that the internet and the real world killed something inside them, and they can only identify with their personas. I just can't sympathize with it, because I'm not weak or a coward. Since then I'm working to develop my skills and connect with people that way. I've given up on having authentic interactions with normal people.
TL;DR Yes I agree, but I decided I'm sick of other people robbing me of my identity. This Rossman video really opened my eyes to why I thought I had "social anxiety" through college.
https://youtu.be/W9AHCymAbyg 
