Humans are social animals. So we are repeatedly told. As with most sweeping generalizations, however, the earlier statement isn’t really true. Do humans show a tendency toward preferring social groups? Certainly. There is also a sizable minority, known by many, usually derisive names; that do not easily fit into the standard “social” description.  It is these people who are likely to fare best in the current situation, in which self-isolation and social distancing have become the order of the day. They have been social distancing and in a state of self-isolation for years.

People who purposefully isolate, or at the very least don’t mind if they are isolated, include many of the estimated 700,000 individuals on the Autism spectrum. While every case is different one of the main features of most forms of Autism is a degree of social awkwardness. This usually stems from a difficulty reading social cues, even if such cues are understood. Which can easily lead to social gaffs when interacting with others. As such, many on the spectrum avoid social contact. There are also people who self-isolate because they are introverts, and prefer to keep their own company. These folks, when given a choice, would rather stay home and read, or go on-line, than go to a party on Friday night.

There is nothing wrong with willful self-isolation, particularly in terms of the on-line world.  A high percentage of modern internet technology was specifically designed to connect people. As the first half of the term “social media” indicates. It is easy to forget, with all the wi-bang hype and spectacle, but the internet was, originally, an extension of the telephone. The connection was made through a land line in something called “dial-up.” People were once skeptical of the telephone, certain that people would stop talking face-to-face. Just as with other predictions regarding new technology this forecast turned out to be dead wrong.