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Terrorfrodo t1_j84ffmr wrote

I wonder where those people fit in who voluntarily choose total isolation and seem to be doing fine. Recently I saw a video about a guy who has been living in a hut in Siberia for 25 years, 30 km away from the closest settlement, because he "didn't like it in the village". He's probably a pretty weird guy but I doubt that his lifestyle is physically harming him.

So probably quite a few people are wired to live not as social animals, and isolation likely hurts only those who are isolated against their wishes.

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horyo t1_j859qd7 wrote

It's possible that he's isolated not just socially but also from dependence on civilization which creates physical demand for him to procure his own food and to handle the elements.

I think social isolation that's pathologic and leads to decreased activity is worsened by the convenience of civilization because then it becomes easier to avoid activity while also amassing caloric intake.

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