I still believe I did the right thing by leaving—the community there goes against many of my most deeply held values. But as I've gotten older That is probably

I still believe I did the right thing by leaving—the community there goes against many of my most deeply held values. But as I've gotten older That is probably also relatively prevalent in HN circles I would presume. Especially if one was "the odd one out. "Community" is not everything. A lot of "small town" stuff and "values" aren't really only positive. Everyone knows everyone and everything about everyone? Great, right? No it's not. I prefer my relative anonymity in the overall scheme. Nothing to look down upon. But some people just don't prefer that sort of "the community dictates your life" environment, while others may thrive in it. Like, think, Sheldon Cooper if he had stayed in Texas. That weirdo atheist in a small Texas town? Not fun.