Poll: Is It Our Fault?

[MelasZepheos_v1legacy]

So I was browsing the forums (as I am wont to do), and saw another 'social outcast' related thread. It seems like every single person on this site is a social outcast (interesting description given that what we do here with the forums is a pretty sociable thing).

I'm just interested to know whether it might be our fault. I was a social outcast in high school, and while later on there was little I could do to repair the damage, when I look back I often think that I could have stopped the situation just by not acting like such an outcast in the first place.

So is your social outcasting actually your fault? Having come to univeristy and not made the mistakes I did in the first place, I am now no longer a social outcast in any respect, and I'm finding it much more enjoyable, because no matter how much I tried to convince myself I had chosen the life, I was slowly dying inside at high school.

EDIT: The statement above is a sarcastic air-quotes type comment (The thing about everyone being a social outcast). In the last month I have seen a lot of 'Why is sociopathy acceptable' 'Does gaming make you a loner?' etc threads, and I just thought I would make a comment on how ridiculous it is to say you are a social outcast on a social forum. I'm aware that it's not just a mmisrepresentation, but also wrong.

 

[knhirt]

In my case, the fact of the matter is that I do not enjoy the popular things. As a child, I did not derive any sort of pleasure from sports, which I was quite bad at. I also spent more time in my own world; thinking up stories, reading, drawing and suchlike, which further divided myself from the other children.
Today, I'm still a thinker. I stay away from both social drinking and sports(viewing and playing) - two very popular social activities. I could be more of a socialite if I wanted to, but I have no interest in the idea. I'm not very fond of most people, to be honest. What I'm getting at is that childhood experiences and social status may have had an impact on my future way of thinking: As I had a difficult time being sociable as a child, I fail to see the appeal of it as an eighteen year old person. Hm.. More thoughts on this later.

 

[Kaboose the Moose]

So I was browsing the forums (as I am wont to do), and saw another 'social outcast' related thread. It seems like every single person on this site is a social outcast (interesting description given that what we do here with the forums is a pretty sociable thing).

I'm just interested to know whether it might be our fault. I was a social outcast in high school, and while later on there was little I could do to repair the damage, when I look back I often think that I could have stopped the situation just by not acting like such an outcast in the first place.

So is your social outcasting actually your fault? Having come to univeristy and not made the mistakes I did in the first place, I am now no longer a social outcast in any respect, and I'm finding it much more enjoyable, because no matter how much I tried to convince myself I had chosen the life, I was slowly dying inside at high school.

Where did you get the conclusion that everyone here is a social outcast?.

I don't understand what that term implies for the psyche and having never gone through a stage of isolation from peers I can't even imagine what the trigger would be. Either someone would have to have poor to no social/interaction skills or they would have to exhibit an anti-social vibe to be avoided completely by others. People in general are sociable creatures, especially in college/high school where there is a mix of ideas and attitudes, you are bound to find at least a handful to strike a common ground with. Still if someone has managed to avoid interaction with peers during the entire college period then I am guessing:

a) a conspiracy

b) your fault

People interact with what they see, if someone sets themself up to be antisocial, then they will be perceived that way.

 

[Eagle Est1986]

Ummm... I'm not a social outcast, and I'm pretty sure that I'm far from the most popular person on these forums.

 

[Pielikey]

Everyone (where I live, anyway) is an idiot. so I refuse to be with the social "in" crowd.

 

[GodofDisaster]

Not to me it's not, being a social outcast is simply the choice I made in life, and you know what, I'm happy about it.

 

[Amnestic]

So I was browsing the forums (as I am wont to do), and saw another 'social outcast' related thread. It seems like every single person on this site is a social outcast (interesting description given that what we do here with the forums is a pretty sociable thing).

I think that's a gross misrepresentation. What's more likely is that the majority of people (who are not social outcasts) merely don't feel the need to go on and on about how they're not socially retarded, whereas those who are 'outcasts' (the minority) are far more vocal - drawing your attention to them.

 

[dududf]

Everyone (where I live, anyway) is an idiot. so I refuse to be with the social "in" crowd.

This pretty much.

Why would I want to socialize with people, that are rude, stupid, and violent to to wild animals (Last part is more generalizatio, but its suprising how many ARE)


Also take in effect that after you're been a outcast for so long, where ever you go you just sort of fit in for the part, intentionally or tentionally.

 

[fulano]

Hm? I remember feeling as if not being "socially casted" back in the day, but I hung out with people of like mind so, lo and behold, I was "casted." No biggie.

Seriously, who can really be a social outcast? Society is a complicated and vast thing, you'd have to go around all day anally penetrating children, shooting up convents, murdering kitties with sledgehammers, eating shit and drinking piss, not changing clothes ever, demand blood for our dark lord Magog, marrying a beaver and cheat on him with a marmot, spout verses of the satanic bible, cut tiny bits of meat from your arm in public and ingest them, and mutilate a body part and upload it to the web via webcam for the world to see...AND you might still stumble across some crazy fuck that thinks you are the shit.

I'm just sayin'.

 

[Kurokami]

So I was browsing the forums (as I am wont to do), and saw another 'social outcast' related thread. It seems like every single person on this site is a social outcast (interesting description given that what we do here with the forums is a pretty sociable thing).

I think that's a gross misrepresentation. What's more likely is that the majority of people (who are not social outcasts) merely don't feel the need to go on and on about how they're not socially retarded, whereas those who are 'outcasts' (the minority) are far more vocal - drawing your attention to them.

You're right, but I don't think they are so much socially retarded as they are just adolescent teens seeking attention while they're still finding their place in the world.

In truth I find the only people who don't belong to a group are the ones that intentionally deny any group they would fit in. There's no way EVERYONE you know is a twat, surely there's someone worth speaking to, particularly since people tend to judge peoples worth against others.

 

[latenightapplepie]

While the term 'social outcast' is pretty vague (and, if anything, is applied a little too liberally by some people), I would say that, to a certain extent, I have deliberately engaged in some social isolationism. I have friends, of course, but they are not numerous.

I chose the "To some extent" middle ground option, because, although there may have been some factors beyond my control that influenced the social situation I now find myself in, I am responsible for my actions and I could have acted otherwise. Therefore, you won't hear me complaining about being a 'social outcast' anytime soon.

 

[scrambledeggs]

The results of this poll show the members of the escapist to be a bunch of fence sitters.

OT: entirely. anyone can fit in with someone.

 

[Jamis]

Firstly you said "social outcast" five times, which I found a little unnecessary. But take a check at this:

"The lone wolf is always looked upon in suspicion and fear"-Dexter
"Greatness stands alone"-Sun Tsu
"Genius is never appreciated in its own time"-DaVinci
"It's always the quiet ones."-First said by Hemmingway

Heres some more great things:

"A person is smart; people are paranoid, stupid, and gullible, and you know it."-Frank, MIB
"Subjects stated that they indeed DID see a light when one of the members agreed, even though there was no light in the room."-Iniversity study
"Society casts down the unique, beautiful or terrible, for fear of ruining the complatency"-Beethoven

When it comes to me personally, I do not stand out, but above. Above the ignorant, unwashed masses. I'm arrogant, sure, but thats what confidence is, wheather you acknowledge it or not. So stop thinking "social outcast" and start thinking "next evolutionary step". Just remember kiddies, when words don't work, and they often don't, force works great. So the next time someone calls you a nerd or excludes you from the reigndeer games, sure ask politely. When that doesn't work, shift your weight into your dominant fist and uppercut his sternum. Nothing sais "I'm better than you" than inducing cardiac arrest.

My spelling is attrocious, sure, but fuck you buddy, 'cause I'm asleep.

 

[Abedeus]

I'm not an outcast. I just like some people. And I hate the rest of them. I don't lock myself up in my room and send a stray cat to do the grocery or go to the barbershop or something like that.

Also, I'm relatively quiet and dislike loud people. Which seems like most of the teenagers nowadays...

 

[Catchy Slogan]

I'm not popular, but I wouldn't call myself a social outcast.

 

[Sexual Harassment Panda]

I make bad decisions as an adult, which I can be held accountable for. But when I think about it, I've been a social outcast since I was 3, and jaded and cynical since I was 8 or 9. Blaming seems pointless, it's just who I am.

 

[inglioti]

i wasn't a social outcast in highschool, quite the opposite actually. i really enjoyed it and did heaps of stuff. uni is kind of a let down, i've not done to much and have only a few friends. i wouldn't count myself an outcast though - my girlfriend is at the same uni as is one of my best friends, and i have really good friends outside of that.

but, OT, yes, my status at uni is my fault - i made no effort to get to know people, and now the cliques are almost set in stone i only have a couple of friends to spend time with.

 

[MrSnugglesworth]

I choose to be like this. I try to be social with close friends, but even then I just don't enjoy doing things like going to football games (which can be fun, especially if its a school game and no one actually watches it) but stuff like going to professional sports is not fun in the little for me.




Things I like:
Videogames
Books
Movies
Hanging with friends playing videogames
Not watching TV

 

[Sonicron]

Well, my interests set me apart from many of my peers, but then again that's fine. I have a circle of close friends both in my regular life and at university, I generally get along just fine with folks (even if I'm always sort of an oddball in the group, but I like that position), and I go out to parties every now and then. So no, I don't see myself as a social outcast at all, I'm just a private person and not inclined to spend every waking second being around other people.