It's one kind of soul crushing to realise that the thing you find so fascinating is not something random others can or want to engage with. It's quite another

It's one kind of soul crushing to realise that the thing you find so fascinating is not something random others can or want to engage with. It's quite another to find out later you've been ridiculed to others for trying to discuss it at all. :D Before the internet this kind of "nerd bashing" was just the standard way of the world and you would probably grow a thicker skin without realising it. Life became a bit more colourful and interesting when we could connect with people all over the world. It really was a seismic shift for a lot of people.