Drifting Away from People: The Dark Side of Solitude

Summary

The video script delves into the theme of estrangement from society, as exemplified by Albert Camus' character Meursault in 'The Stranger'. It explores the reasons behind people's drift from social norms and the potential dangers of isolation, including the development of radical ideologies and mental health issues. The script also highlights the positive aspects of solitude, such as personal growth and freedom from societal pressures, emphasizing the importance of how individuals use their time alone.

Takeaways

• 📚 The novel 'The Stranger' by Albert Camus explores the theme of estrangement through the character Meursault, who is detached from societal norms and conventions.
• 🤔 Meursault's indifference to his mother's death and lack of remorse after killing an attacker are perceived as heartless, highlighting the societal expectation of emotional responses.
• 🧐 The script suggests that estrangement can stem from various causes, including personality differences, bad experiences, or a general disillusionment with society.
• 🏠 Solitude can be a double-edged sword, offering both the freedom to be oneself and the potential for negative thoughts to dominate one's experience.
• 🌱 Solitude can foster personal growth and wisdom, but it can also lead to isolation and loneliness if not balanced with social interaction.
• 👥 The presence of others can influence our behavior and self-perception, with some philosophers arguing that we are truly ourselves only when alone.
• 😔 Disappointment in the world, such as negative experiences with people or political disillusionment, can lead to estrangement and a retreat into solitude.
• 🏞️ Solitude can be a blessing for some, allowing for self-cultivation, harmony with nature, and spiritual enlightenment, as exemplified by hermits and sages.
• 💔 Estrangement and loneliness can be detrimental, with the potential to foster resentment, radicalization, and a distorted view of reality.
• 🌐 Isolation can lead to the adoption of extreme views, as seen in online echo chambers that reinforce radical ideologies and potentially lead to radicalization.
• 👀 The importance of maintaining a connection with society and diverse viewpoints is emphasized to avoid falling into echo chambers and developing skewed perceptions of reality.

Q & A

What is the main theme of Albert Camus' novel 'The Stranger'?

The main theme of 'The Stranger' is the concept of alienation and the absurd. It explores the life of the protagonist, Meursault, who is detached from societal norms and conventions, leading to his perception as heartless and indifferent.

How does Meursault's response to his mother's death affect his character perception in 'The Stranger'?

Meursault's indifference to his mother's death leads others to view him as heartless and possibly a psychopath, highlighting his detachment from societal expectations of emotional response.

What is the significance of Meursault's lack of remorse after killing a man in the story?

Meursault's lack of remorse after killing a man further emphasizes his detachment from societal norms and moral judgments, showcasing his unique and unconventional way of responding to events.

How does the video script relate the concept of estrangement to the character of Meursault?

The script draws a parallel between Meursault's detachment from societal norms and the experience of estrangement that many people face, suggesting that such detachment can stem from various personal reasons or simply a difference in personality.

What are some reasons people might drift away from others according to the script?

People might drift away from others due to a bad experience, a personality that doesn't align with societal expectations, or disappointment in their environment and the world at large.

How does the script describe the positive aspect of seeking solitude?

The script suggests that solitude can be a positive experience, allowing individuals to find wisdom, experience personal growth, and enjoy freedom from the influence of others.

What philosopher is mentioned in the script for their view on the relationship between solitude and self?

The script mentions the existentialist philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre, who stated that 'Hell is other people,' implying that solitude allows individuals to be free from the influence of others and be truly themselves.

How does the script discuss the potential dangers of self-imposed seclusion?

The script discusses the dangers of self-imposed seclusion, such as the development of negative thought patterns, isolation leading to radicalization, and the potential for embracing extremist ideologies in the absence of diverse perspectives.

What is the term used in the script to describe a community with a single moral perspective?

The term used in the script to describe such a community is 'moral echo chamber,' which can lead to radicalization when individuals are only exposed to like-minded views.

How does the script suggest we can avoid the negative effects of estrangement and isolation?

The script suggests that if we find ourselves becoming miserable and resentful in our estrangement, we might want to change our course and seek out different perspectives and interactions to avoid falling into destructive patterns.

What is the potential impact of being in a homogeneous environment on an individual's beliefs, according to the script?

According to the script, being in a homogeneous environment where no one disagrees with your values can lead to radicalization and a distorted view of reality, as it limits exposure to diverse and potentially challenging perspectives.

What does the script suggest about the importance of interacting with the 'normies' or the majority of society?

The script suggests that interacting with the 'normies' or the majority of society serves as an essential sounding board for understanding the grassroots level of what's happening, providing a more objective lens of perceiving society than what might be found in closed-off echo chambers.

Outlines

00:00

🧐 Alienation in 'The Stranger' and Societal Isolation

This paragraph delves into the theme of alienation as depicted in Albert Camus' novel 'The Stranger'. The protagonist, Meursault, is portrayed as detached from societal norms, showing indifference to his mother's death and lack of remorse for a murder he commits. The narrative explores the idea that such detachment isn't necessarily a result of malevolence but could stem from a fundamental difference in personality. It also touches on the broader human experience of estrangement, which can arise from various causes, such as negative personal experiences or an inherent social incompatibility. The paragraph suggests that while some may find solitude rewarding, self-imposed seclusion can also lead to negative consequences, prompting a deeper examination of the reasons behind and the effects of drifting away from society.

05:05

🌿 The Double-Edged Sword of Solitude and Estrangement

The second paragraph examines the reasons and implications of drifting away from social connections. It discusses how this process can occur gradually or suddenly, influenced by factors such as changing interests, busy lifestyles, or a disillusionment with societal conventions. The text also considers the positive aspects of solitude, such as personal growth and freedom from societal pressures, contrasting them with the negative consequences like loneliness and the potential for radicalization in echo chambers. It highlights the importance of understanding the reasons behind one's estrangement and the necessity of being aware of the dangers of isolation, including the adoption of extreme ideologies and the impact on mental health.

10:09

🤔 The Impact of Isolation on Perception and Ideology

In this paragraph, the focus shifts to the impact of isolation on an individual's perception of reality and the formation of ideologies. It discusses how isolation can lead to a disconnect from mainstream society and make individuals susceptible to extreme views, as they may lack exposure to diverse perspectives. The text references research on 'moral echo chambers' and their potential to foster radicalization, using the example of an online community known as 'incels' to illustrate how homogeneous environments can amplify extreme beliefs. It also warns against the dangers of relying solely on like-minded online communities for information, which can lead to a distorted worldview and a loss of touch with the broader social context.

Keywords

💡Absurdism

Absurdism is a philosophical concept that emphasizes the conflict between the human tendency to seek inherent meaning in life and the universe's apparent indifference to such a search. In the video, Albert Camus, an absurdist philosopher, is mentioned in the context of his novel 'The Stranger,' where the main character, Meursault, embodies the essence of absurdism by living a life detached from societal norms and expectations.

💡Estrangement

Estrangement refers to a state of being apart from or disconnected with one's environment or society. The video discusses estrangement as a theme, illustrating how characters like Meursault in 'The Stranger' experience it due to their detachment from societal conventions. It also explores the various reasons people might feel estranged and the potential dangers of this state, such as developing radical views or succumbing to loneliness.

💡Solitude

Solitude is the state of being alone, often by choice, and is a central theme in the video. It contrasts with the societal norm of seeking companionship and engagement with others. The video script examines the positive aspects of solitude, such as personal growth and freedom from societal pressures, as well as the negative consequences, including isolation and the potential for developing harmful ideologies.

💡Conformity

Conformity is the act of adhering to established norms or standards, often for the sake of fitting in with a group or society. The video discusses the protagonist's struggle with conformity, as Meursault does not follow societal expectations, leading to his perception as an outsider. It also touches on the idea that some people may drift away from society because they do not resonate with conventional lifestyles.

💡Loneliness

Loneliness is the subjective feeling of being alone or isolated, which can arise from a lack of companionship or a sense of disconnection from others. The video script explores loneliness as a potential result of estrangement and solitude, noting that it can lead to mental health issues and a negative impact on one's well-being.

💡Radicalization

Radicalization is the process by which an individual adopts extreme political or ideological views. The video mentions 'moral echo chambers' and how they can contribute to radicalization, using the example of an online community where radical views are reinforced, leading to a distorted perception of reality.

💡Existentialism

Existentialism is a philosophical movement that emphasizes individual freedom, choice, and subjective experience in determining the meaning of life. The video references Jean-Paul Sartre, an existentialist philosopher, who famously stated that 'Hell is other people,' highlighting the existentialist perspective on the impact of others on one's sense of self and freedom.

💡Misanthropy

Misanthropy is a general dislike, distrust, or hatred of the human species or individual humans. The video script discusses how some people may become misanthropes after experiencing disappointment with others or the world, leading them to withdraw and observe society from a distance.

💡Echo Chamber

An echo chamber is a metaphorical term for an environment where a person is surrounded by information or opinions that reinforce their existing beliefs, rarely encountering opposing views. The video uses the term to describe online communities where radicalization can occur due to the lack of diverse perspectives.

💡Weltschmerz

Weltschmerz is a German term that translates to 'world weariness' or 'world pain,' reflecting a deep existential sadness or disillusionment with the world. The video mentions Weltschmerz as a reason some people may drift away from society, feeling overwhelmed by negativity and disconnecting as a form of self-defense.

💡Self-Cultivation

Self-cultivation refers to the process of improving one's mental, moral, or spiritual qualities through self-directed learning and reflection. The video contrasts the negative aspects of solitude with the positive, such as the opportunity for self-cultivation, as exemplified by the mountain hermits of China who seek spiritual enlightenment through isolation.

Highlights

In the novel The Stranger by absurdist philosopher Albert Camus, the main character Meursault finds himself apart from the world around him.

Meursault’s indifference to his mother’s death leads those around him to perceive him as heartless.

After shooting and killing a thug, Meursault displays no remorse, highlighting his detachment from accepted conduct.

Meursault isn’t a person with bad intentions; he’s just different and detached.

Estrangement from the world can result from various causes, including bad experiences or personality differences.

Self-imposed seclusion can be dangerous, as it may lead to loneliness and further estrangement.

Drifting away from people can happen slowly and gradually or quickly, often due to changes in communication and interests.

Like Meursault, some people have trouble resonating with conventional lifestyles and societal norms.

Solitude can be a positive experience, allowing for personal growth and wisdom.

Solitude sought out of hate or fear can lead to negative consequences, such as feeling judged or scrutinized.

Jean-Paul Sartre’s idea that 'Hell is other people' suggests that solitude frees us from others’ influence.

Disappointment in the world and people can drive individuals to withdraw and seek solitude.

Self-imposed isolation can lead to radicalization and extreme worldviews due to moral echo chambers.

Moral echo chambers can boost radicalization, as seen in online communities like ‘incels’.

Dr. Mohammad Atari’s research shows that morally homogeneous environments can lead to radical means of self-defense.

Extreme isolation and echo chambers can distort reality and lead to susceptibility to questionable theories.

Engaging with ‘normies’ in real life provides a more objective lens of society than radicalized online voices.

Self-imposed isolation can lead to mental health issues like depression and anxiety.

While solitude can be a blessing, becoming increasingly miserable and resentful indicates a need for change.

Transcripts

In the novel The Stranger by absurdist philosopher  Albert Camus, the main character Meursault finds  

himself, in a way, apart from the world around  him. He’s not following conventions, doesn’t  

really mingle with his environment, and has a  unique way of responding to events. For example,  

when his mother dies, his indifference leads  those around him to perceive him as heartless,  

even possibly a psychopath. And after  shooting and killing a thug who attacks him,  

he displays no remorse. But later on in the  story, we learn that Meursault isn’t a person  

with bad intentions who purposefully does evil  deeds. He’s just different, the odd one out,  

as he’s detached from accepted conduct. Although often different from Meursault,  

many experience estrangement from the  world. These people have drifted away  

from others. They became disentangled. This  estrangement could have a particular cause,  

such as a bad experience with people. Or  maybe, like Meursault, one’s personality  

doesn’t quite jive with the rest, making one  socially incompatible to a certain extent. 

Whatever the reason, this (often)  self-imposed seclusion isn’t always  

without dangers. As a lover of solitude, I  think it’s useful to look at the dark sides  

behind turning our backs on society.  This video explores why we drift away  

from people, the resulting loneliness and  estrangement, and the associated dangers.

If you want to help keep us going,  

support us on Patreon. You’ll get access  to ALL Einzelgänger videos ad-free.

Drifting away from people can happen slowly  and gradually but also quite quickly. We  

find ourselves communicating less with people,  whether it’s our family or friends. Maybe the  

connection is gone, conversations feel empty, and  interests have shifted. Or perhaps we’re always  

too tired or never have time to meet, as our busy  schedules hardly allow us to have a social life.  

But it could also be that, like Meursault, we  have trouble resonating with the conventional,  

you know, the white picket fence, the 2.3  kids, the 9-5, watching sports on the weekends,  

or asking people “How are you!” without  actually being interested in the answer. 

We lose interest in engaging with other  people for many reasons. In a positive sense,  

we might deeply enjoy solitude; for example, it  allows us to find wisdom and experience personal  

growth we usually don’t find in the company of  others. In a negative sense, we seek solitude out  

of hate or fear. We just don’t like being around  people. Maybe it’s because of how they judge us,  

the sense of being under the scrutinizing gaze  whenever in the presence of others. Existentialist  

philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre stated that “Hell  is other people” as we begin to see ourselves  

through their eyes in their presence. Whether we  like it or not, in most cases, the presence of  

other people changes our experience of ourselves  and the world. For example, we may be home alone,  

enjoying whatever we’re doing, but when someone  enters, there’s suddenly a different game going  

on. Most likely, there’s a shift in our behavior;  we put on a mask, even if it’s just a subtle one.  

We do this because we consider what other people  think about us and may not even be conscious we’re  

doing it. Pessimist philosopher Schopenhauer  mentioned that we can only be truly ourselves  

when alone. In a way, that’s what Sartre also  implies: when alone, we are free from other  

people’s influence, free to be ourselves.  That’s why solitude feels so liberating,  

as we’re away from other people’s gaze. Another reason we drift away could be  

disappointment in the world around us.  We may be disappointed in our direct  

environment and how family and friends treat  us (or treat each other, for that matter).  

We could have been victims of an unfortunate  string of bad relationships, which led us to  

the conclusion that people, generally, are a bunch  of toxic bastards, better to be avoided. Just look  

at any ‘lone wolf’ type of villain, and we’ll  find traces of abuse by others in their past,  

turning them into these secluded misanthropes. However, the disappointment that causes people  

to drift away could also direct itself toward a  broader scope, which is quite common nowadays. For  

example, take people’s discontent with specific  political policies. They feel overlooked,  

marginalized, or mistreated. Due to the copious  amounts of negative news, people often develop  

the distorted view that the world is entirely  doom and gloom and that the best way to defend  

oneself against this is by stacking two hundred  cans of tuna and living in a bunker. Others may  

experience such disgust by our very species that  they wish to distance themselves from humanity.  

This dissatisfaction with the current state  of affairs, the pervasive Weltschmerz looming  

over our existence like a dark cloud, may  drive people to withdraw and observe the  

perceived collapse from a distance, in solitude. Some experience drifting away from people as a  

blessing, while others suffer in isolation.  Some grow exponentially in solitude, others  

hide and self-destruct. So, as we drift away from  people, are we floating toward heaven or hell?

Drifting away from people isn’t all bad, though.  For some, the disentanglement from the herd, so  

to speak, is a blessing. Consider the freedom from  conventions and the peace of mind that comes with  

not dealing with others. Is there anything better  than sitting alone by the river with a fishing  

rod, somewhere in nature, far away from the hustle  and bustle of society? Think of the Taoist sage,  

becoming one with the Tao, residing in a blissful  solitude. Or how about the mountain hermits of  

China? They estrange themselves from the general  public to seek things like self-cultivation,  

harmony with nature, and spiritual  enlightenment. Solitude isn’t inherently  

harmful; it’s how we use it that matters. Estrangement and loneliness can be just as hellish  

as being around people. In our solitude, we may  be free from the judgmental gaze of others; we  

are now alone with our thoughts. And the quality  of our thoughts decides our experience in that  

solitude rather than the circumstances. We could  live in the most beautiful environment, somewhere  

in nature; if cynical thoughts constantly  plague our minds, we won’t have a good time. 

The same goes for those who carry hatred toward  the people they’ve drifted away from. Take, for  

example, people of both sexes who have decided to  remain single forever. Whether or not that’s the  

best choice in their particular situation aside,  we often see such radical decisions go together  with resentment.

The same could be said about  people embracing particular, extreme world views,  

which often happens in seclusion, tumbling  down some ideological rabbit hole into an echo  

chamber of like-minded souls on the internet,  which exposes them to highly warped views of  

reality. Research shows that, specifically,  ‘moral echo chambers’ can boost radicalization.  

One study examined over 900,000 posts in an  online community on Reddit known as ‘incels,’  

which stands for ‘involuntary celibates.’ Lead  author of this study, Dr. Mohammad Atari, states:

“In our research, we find that the more people  are in morally homogeneous environments,  

the more likely they are to resort to radical  means to defend themselves and their values.”

End quote. 

Sometimes, people’s ‘drifting away’ is colored  by anger and hostility toward a whole group,  

sometimes the entire human species. Without a  doubt, they had once decided that by secluding  

themselves, perhaps for a while, they’d do  themselves a favor, which could have been  

valid to an extent. However, when wallowing in  hatred and fear toward whatever, regardless of  

how much they believe it’s justified, can  they claim they’re better off in solitude? 

Imagine you’re a guy in your forties, somewhere  in, let’s say, the UK, spending his days scrolling  

on some racial purist websites while actively  loathing the cesspool Western civilization has  

become, as the Jews are carrying out their plans  to eradicate the white race by flooding the  

continent with immigrants. It’s all going down.  Muslims are taking over, which has always been  

their secret goal while moving to Europe under the  guise of labor migration, those sneaky bastards. 

In isolation, often operating in these echo  chambers, people become susceptible to some  

very questionable theories. Of course, the idea  that some of their beliefs are pretty ridiculous,  

while others may contain some kernel  of truth but lack significant nuance,  

doesn’t cross their mind anymore, as the only  ‘truth’ they expose themselves to is brought  

by some Neo-Nazi from Harrison, Arkansas,  preaching to his internet choir all day. 

Don’t get me wrong: choosing to be indoctrinated  every Friday afternoon by your local extremist  

isn’t any better. It’s just that estrangement from  people and self-imposed isolation can lead some to  

dark pathways. I mean, what’s life like focusing  on all this bleakness 24/7? How does that actually  

make you feel? “Well, reality doesn’t care about  feelings,” you say. That’s true, but how reliable  

is your ‘reality’ when you’re secluded from and  out of touch with your environment, and your only  

gateway to what’s happening in the world are  the screens of your devices? Dr. Atari states:

“What I am more convinced of is that putting  yourself in an extremely homogeneous environment  

wherein nobody disagrees with your  values, or cheers ‘hell yeah!’,  

is not a great environment to be in,  and it might even radicalize you.”

Consider the ‘regular’ people we’ve  been drifting away from, you know,  

those we might come across when touching  grass: the majority, the ‘normies,’ some  

call them (not from a place of kindness, by the  way). You may not like these people. Nonetheless,  

they function as an essential sounding board  for what’s happening on a grassroots level. And,  

I’d say, observing them in real life, experiencing  life with them and through their eyes, is most  

likely a much more objective lens of perceiving  society than what the Neo-Nazi from Arkansas,  

or a radicalized imam, or Andrew  Tate has to say about it. Sure,  

the normies are oblivious to some things  going on, but they also, at the same time,  

represent the gist of what’s going on. How can we  know the supposed “truth” about them if we don’t  

associate with them, don’t live among them,  don’t speak with them, or hang out with them,  

and the only information about these normies comes  from members of our little, closed-off bubbles,  

who declare their ideas as absolute facts? We lose touch with society when estranged  

from those who form the lion’s share. I don’t  claim losing touch with society is a bad thing  

per se. Most likely, not even all echo chambers  are harmful. However, suppose, in our seclusion,  

we are simultaneously susceptive to other voices  trying to shape reality for us, and these voices  

are entirely out of whack with reality and seek  to recruit followers for a particular ideology  

or theory built on these out-of-whack ideas. In  that case, we escape people we perceive as harmful  

but let ourselves be sucked in by others  preying on our estrangement along the way. 

Of course, embracing extremist voices is  just one part of the story. Loneliness and  

estrangement entail other nasty side effects  as well, such as mental health issues like  

depression and anxiety. I might talk about those  and my personal experiences in another video. 

As mentioned, solitude or drifting away from  people isn’t inherently wrong. Aloneness can  

be a blessing, depending on how we use it. But  suppose we find ourselves becoming increasingly  

miserable and resentful in our estrangement.  Suppose we’re becoming forces for destruction,  

tumbling deeper and deeper into some rabbit  hole where everyone agrees with each other and  

reinforces questionable ideas, some of which are  entirely out of touch with reality. In that case,  

we might want to change our course,  i.e., drift into another direction.

Thank you for watching.