"Antisocial is the word that tends to get attached to people who describe themselves this way. It's the wrong word. Antisocial implies an aversion to connection itself. What most people in this category are describing is something more precise: an aversion to the particular complexity of human connection."
"A dog doesn't have a subtext. A cat's displeasure is immediate, legible, and over quickly. There's no post-conversation analysis required, no wondering whether the silence at the end meant something. The terms of the relationship are visible in real time."
"For people whose nervous systems were trained to treat human relationships as something to be carefully managed, that visibility isn't a consolation prize. It's a genuine relief."
"Research by McConnell and colleagues published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that pet owners showed greater wellbeing, higher self-esteem, and lower levels of loneliness."
Many individuals find it easier to connect with animals than with people due to the complexities of human relationships. The term 'antisocial' is often misapplied, as it suggests a general aversion to connection. Instead, the preference for animals stems from a desire to avoid the intricate dynamics of human interactions. Animals provide clear, immediate feedback without the complications of subtext, making them more comforting for those who have learned to navigate human relationships cautiously. Research indicates that pet owners experience greater wellbeing and self-esteem.
Read at Silicon Canals
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