I found the parent and your comment really insightful. I think they are right that technology has aided an individual in accomplishing things they would need o

I found the parent and your comment really insightful. I think they are right that technology has aided an individual in accomplishing things they would need others for, and one can more easily stand alone. I think you're absolutely right that the global perspective of online social media has made it difficult to build an identify that is your own. There are countless examples of others doing any interest you could to a better degree than yourself. It leads to a lot of self-doubt and isolation. I'm very happy to have the online resources we have today and would choose the muck of Facebook/Twitter/Youtube/etc over not having them any day of the week. However, I do recognize it was easier for me to take pride in my own ability and grow my own expertise in an area in "true isolation", disconnected from online humanity. Online groups to share your interests with - to me - do not feel as intimate as what some would turn to church or a community center for back in the 80s/90s. We are alone and not special. I'm trying to explore the advantages of that. I certainly find myself in less drama in a community I can readily disconnect from. As an anecdote: I had a friend in high school who regularly said he wanted 'to be remembered', that his greatest goal in life was to have his name be recorded in history. I thought he was somewhat arrogant, but he truly wanted to become an Alexander the Great figure. I'm considering it my own goal to be someone forgettable. I want to find comfort/success without recognition.