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I'm guessing that alienation = imposed upon you, isolation = voluntarily self-imposed.

• majewsky 9y ago
  Not a native speaker, so can anyone please conform these connotations? I would expect "isolation" to be neutral on the "imposed <-> self-imposed" spectrum. I would call self-imposed isolation "solitude".
  • yathern 9y ago
    Native speaker - I have the same gut instinct on the connotations. But, the term 'isolationism' refers to an intentionally policy of isolating oneself (a nation, presumably). Solitude is close too - but I think would mean complete separation from everyone, even like-minded people. Like Superman has his fortress of Solitude, and it's not filled with other Supermen. As far as I know.
    • majewsky 9y ago
      That's actually a great premise for a Superman spinoff.