The downside of misanthropy
May 9th, 2023
There is one, would you believe it?
I don't think I can consider myself a misanthrope, although I might be a misanthrope-lite or a misanthrope-in-training. I don't hate the whole of humankind, just feel hypocritical pity and deep derision and strong annoyance towards the vast majority of them. But to counter that, I have friends and acquaintances, and I can talk to people at work or on the street, or in any normal daily interactions as a regular guy.
And I am trying to be funny here, which tells me that it is a very serious issue for me since I try to make it into mockery, as I do with many of my fundamental personality traits…
I don't see eye to eye with a lot of people, I don't really care for them and their problems — except when my outrage caused by their misery can be used as an attack on another group of people — those in power and those making decisions that affect the well-being of the majority of the citizenry. I want to be able to live my life on my own terms, with peace of mind to pursue my interests and relative comfort of physical needs. That is all. And a lot of people around me are no more than actors in the play of my life. And that leaves me with very few options when I want to (or need to) talk to someone beyond my small and close group of relatives and friends. Especially when I want to talk to people who might have a different and fresh look at some issues I might have or struggle with, or people with different or deeper expertise than me who can direct me toward the point I am looking for. Just getting those points or pointers in print or online is not the same as interacting with another person and exchanging ideas verbally. It is actually a little pathetic. And I don't want to be pathetic, I want to be a well-rounded person. Or at least perceived as a well-rounded and relatively well-adjusted person. And since I apparently care what others might think about me — I might not be a misanthrope at all. That is an unusual and unexpected conclusion…
