Solitude as the antidote to misanthropy
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Solitude as the antidote to misanthropy
1–10 of 56 posts
Re: Solitude as the antidote to misanthropy
#2This only talks of an overload of unknown people surrounding you in cities, but surely the www is for many a strong contributer to that sentiment as well.
Re: Solitude as the antidote to misanthropy
#3exposure to green and lack of screen time is better than drugs, but ill leave the slavering to the author ...
Re: Solitude as the antidote to misanthropy
#4> I think that being surrounded by your fellow man in a hive day after day, without hope of solitude, produces contempt and alienation, a feeling that the humans are interchangeable, that the surfeit of their numbers reduces their individual worth and meaning. In such a state of crowding, [...] a man of compassion is sickened because he is overwhelmed
This is highly individual. I actually think that generally, the opposite applies - if one isolate themselves, it's very easy for their mind to become an echo chamber; connecting with people often will moderate and shape one's thoughts.
Re: Solitude as the antidote to misanthropy
#5Some of the biggest misanthropes, bigots etc. I interacted with online live in remote villages or even precisely like described, in a house in middle of nature. They never even lived in a big city but they think it's bad, streets are full of shit, every other person you see is a criminal or swindler (and don't even mention immigrants) and so on.
The mistake of the author is thinking wilderness is required for solitude and being in a big city is not. Can't you be equally or more alone in a city? If I had enough interaction I can stay in my apartment or go for a walk in the nature nearby and nothing requires me to talk to anyone. After a while I want to get out meet a friend or just talk to a colleague again.
(But if you meet another person while alone in the middle of wilderness, try not talking to them... you may easily be considered rude even if you really just need a breather)
The author calls himself a "man of compassion" but the phrasing of this article says "I'm full of myself".
Re: Solitude as the antidote to misanthropy
#6"Solitude is in the mind of man. One might be in the thick of the world and maintain serenity of mind; such a one is in solitude. Another may stay in a forest, but still be unable to control his mind. He cannot be said to be in solitude. Solitude is a function of the mind. A man attached to desire cannot get solitude wherever he may be; a detached man is always in solitude."
― Ramana Maharshi
Re: Solitude as the antidote to misanthropy
#7> I think that being surrounded by your fellow man in a hive day after day, without hope of solitude, produces contempt and alienation, a feeling that the humans are interchangeable, that the surfeit of their numbers reduces their individual worth and meaning. In such a state of crowding, [...] a man of compassion is sickened because he is overwhelmed This is highly individual. I actually think that generally, the op…
Staying alone for a very long time is probably unhealthy as well indeed.
But go for a two week long stay high up in the wild mountains and breathe the fresh air there alone by yourself or with just one or two of your closest friends or members of family, and I am convinced that you would feel that all war and all other man made problems of the world could be solved if everyone got to experience just a few days of this one-ness with nature that you are bound to feel in the fresh air of the mountains when you are there all by yourself with not a soul in sight in any direction.
Re: Solitude as the antidote to misanthropy
#8> I think that being surrounded by your fellow man in a hive day after day, without hope of solitude, produces contempt and alienation, a feeling that the humans are interchangeable, that the surfeit of their numbers reduces their individual worth and meaning. In such a state of crowding, [...] a man of compassion is sickened because he is overwhelmed This is highly individual. I actually think that generally, the op…
True, it's matter of fit and balance. Having space to be alone if needed is very healthy. Constant friction kills. But total isolation can lead to misanthropy or other strange psychological effects. You need regular amounts of little benefiting interactions.
Re: Solitude as the antidote to misanthropy
#9> I think that being surrounded by your fellow man in a hive day after day, without hope of solitude, produces contempt and alienation, a feeling that the humans are interchangeable, that the surfeit of their numbers reduces their individual worth and meaning. In such a state of crowding, [...] a man of compassion is sickened because he is overwhelmed This is highly individual. I actually think that generally, the op…
Staying alone for a very long time is probably unhealthy as well indeed. But go for a two week long stay high up in the wild mountains and breathe the fresh air there alone by yourself or with just one or two of your closest friends or members of family, and I am convinced that you would feel that all war and all other man made problems of the world could be solved if everyone got to experience just a few days of thi…
To compare the monk vs the city-dweller. Hmm. I think I’ll go with monk.
Re: Solitude as the antidote to misanthropy
#10Some of the biggest misanthropes, bigots etc. I interacted with online live in remote villages or even precisely like described, in a house in middle of nature. They never even lived in a big city but they think it's bad, streets are full of shit, every other person you see is a criminal or swindler (and don't even mention immigrants) and so on. The mistake of the author is thinking wilderness is required for solitud…
"But if you meet another person while alone in the middle of wilderness, try not talking to them... you may easily be considered rude even if you really just need a breather"
Not my experience. Just nod and go on your way if you don't feel like talking. No person from the woods would be offended by this. (Unless it is their forest and they would like to know who wanders around their turf)