Lone Wolves

placidwolf27 said:The whole concept of a "lone wolf" is complete nonsense when people use it like this
By definition, lone wolves are just broken individuals that the pack kicked out—usually the younger ones, the weak ones, or the sick ones who fled just to avoid being slaughtered. Or maybe they're just old dogs who can't hold their own in the hierarchy anymore. A lone wolf is mostly just hungry... and if they aren't at death's door, their entire existence revolves around trying to get fat enough before the next winter hits so they can somehow slip into a pack that might take them in—even if that just means getting killed so they can at least have a place to die. Occasionally, they might try to seize control by force, but since they rarely get a steady meal, they’re almost never in any kind of shape to win a fight

It would be much more accurate to say something like a "lone bear," because those guys actually roam the woods solo by choice—they hang out when they feel like it, mind their own business, and generally don't give a damn about anyone else. Or maybe a "lone lion" or something similar... because calling someone a "lone wolf" is basically just describing social rejects

Look, it's a metaphor—it's an example of being alone, an individual outside the group. Wolves are social animals just like Americans are. Whether there are actual personality traits or similarities involved is irrelevant here.

So yeah, an outcast will end up exactly how you described, unless they've developed some unique skills the rest of the group doesn't have... like how shamans or healers live apart from society but still get called in when things go south. Same goes for old-school philosophers or monks, etc.
Basically, most people are just part of the crowd. 😁

slycyclist26 said:So, I finally forced myself to head out to a cafe again after a few months... it was a Saturday, too... and honestly, it was just awful. Too many people, too much noise, way too much everything. I managed to hang in there for maybe 20 minutes. The only saving grace was this young, blonde waitress... really cute and bubbly 😁

Once there are more than two or three people around, things get heavy and exhausting for me... I start feeling restless...
...but now I'm finally at peace. It's night, I'm listening to the sounds around me, and I feel alive—like I'm one with the universe, totally complete 🙂

...just typing away on the forum 🤣 🤣

What makes you so restless? 🙄

Sam Martinez9 said:A lone wolf can hold his own; he can hunt, eat, and endure the elements entirely on his own, right up until old age, sickness, or an injury finally takes him. It’s the same fate he would face within a pack, just perhaps under different circumstances.

Historically speaking, humans simply weren't built for solitude. If you were cast out from your tribe, you were essentially a dead man walking—starvation or infection would claim you quickly. Our ancestors couldn't survive a broken arm or a leg injury without someone there to tend the wound and provide food while they healed.

The same logic applies today, though we often fail to see it. Modern "lone wolves" aren't actually solitary creatures. They still shop at Target or Walmart, buy their clothes online, rely on the power grid, and depend on municipal water and sewage systems to function.

The only real difference is that these individuals convince themselves they’ve minimized their interaction with the rest of society.

But have they really?

It’s certainly different than it used to be, certainly. Back before smartphones became ubiquitous, if you needed something from someone, you had to physically go to them, look them in the eye, and speak to them directly. Nowadays, you just send a quick text or fire off an email.

In the past, your social circle was usually limited to a handful of people from your school, your neighborhood, or your office. Today, you have all of those connections, plus the people you interact with on digital forums, the personalities you watch on TV, or the voices you listen to on the radio.

Sure, you might lack physical proximity, but honestly, you don't need to be hugging and kissing everyone you meet; human connection is fundamentally about the exchange of ideas, not necessarily physical touch.

A true lone wolf in modern America would be someone who systematically severs all ties to human contact—someone living entirely without radio, television, books, the internet, a job, or even the occasional trip to the grocery store.

Do such people exist today? If they do, they are incredibly rare.

Most people who claim to be lone wolves are simply operating under a fundamental misunderstanding of what it means to participate in a human society.

So... do they exist or not? It sounds a bit like a riddle.

I guess this is just the new generation of "wolves"—the whole concept seems to have evolved over the centuries.

We really need to pin down what a "lone wolf" actually is. It’s not some social misfit or an outcast hiding from the world, romance, or human connection because they're terrified of it. 🙄
It isn't about being a selfish jerk who hates everyone, either.
Rather, these are people who are just as content hanging out with a crowd as they are being alone. They aren't carrying around some deep-seated resentment that forces them into isolation; instead, they simply refuse to build their entire lives around the arbitrary standards or social pressures of the masses.
They don't rely on anyone else to feel whole.
They never find themselves bored or feeling empty when they're by themselves. Their happiness isn't tethered to the presence of others. They genuinely enjoy people, but they also feel perfectly comfortable navigating the world solo, as much as that’s even possible in this life.
They are emotionally and spiritually self-sufficient, capable of standing on their own two feet without spiraling into depression, misery, or whatever other negative headspace comes with isolation. They take care of themselves quite well, thank you very much. They don't let society dictate their definition of success or how they should live.
They don't feel this frantic pressure to get married, settle down, or spend every single weekend surrounded by friends, family, or crowds at a bar just to feel complete. They don't need sidecars attached to their lives just to stay upright. There are plenty of people who are constantly surrounded by groups but are completely alone in their souls... that doesn't mean anything.
A true lone wolf doesn't necessarily need conventional relationships or pack-like behavior to be satisfied with themselves and the world. They carve out their own path and make their own calls without fishing for compliments or seeking validation from the neighbors—all while making sure they aren't stepping on anyone else's toes. In fact, they don't get overly attached to anyone, and they tend to feel at home wherever they go. They love the company of others just as much as they cherish their own solitude.
Something like that, anyway.👍

Looks like we’re finally getting some snow tomorrow! I've gotta say, I'm totally on board with what Henry Lopez10 was saying...🎉🙂😉

Sam Martinez9 said:A lone wolf can hold his own; he can hunt, eat, and endure the elements entirely on his own, right up until old age, sickness, or an injury finally takes him. It’s the same fate he would face within a pack, just perhaps under different circumstances.

Historically speaking, humans simply weren't built for solitude. If you were cast out from your tribe, you were essentially a dead man walking—starvation or infection would claim you quickly. Our ancestors couldn't survive a broken arm or a leg injury without someone there to tend the wound and provide food while they healed.

The same logic applies today, though we often fail to see it. Modern "lone wolves" aren't actually solitary creatures. They still shop at Target or Walmart, buy their clothes online, rely on the power grid, and depend on municipal water and sewage systems to function.

The only real difference is that these individuals convince themselves they’ve minimized their interaction with the rest of society.

But have they really?

It’s certainly different than it used to be, certainly. Back before smartphones became ubiquitous, if you needed something from someone, you had to physically go to them, look them in the eye, and speak to them directly. Nowadays, you just send a quick text or fire off an email.

In the past, your social circle was usually limited to a handful of people from your school, your neighborhood, or your office. Today, you have all of those connections, plus the people you interact with on digital forums, the personalities you watch on TV, or the voices you listen to on the radio.

Sure, you might lack physical proximity, but honestly, you don't need to be hugging and kissing everyone you meet; human connection is fundamentally about the exchange of ideas, not necessarily physical touch.

A true lone wolf in modern America would be someone who systematically severs all ties to human contact—someone living entirely without radio, television, books, the internet, a job, or even the occasional trip to the grocery store.

Do such people exist today? If they do, they are incredibly rare.

Most people who claim to be lone wolves are simply operating under a fundamental misunderstanding of what it means to participate in a human society.

I’m just now seeing this... and honestly, I have to wonder who the hell actually finds "spirituality" in discussions like this.

That whole "lone wolf" label? It’s nothing more than another flashy little feather people use to dress up their egos. It's just another way to satisfy that desperate need to answer the question, "Who am I?"—just like our names or job titles.

If spirituality has ever actually revealed anything useful, it's that your true identity isn't found in your personality traits or your habitual patterns of thinking and acting.

You hit the nail on the head regarding the whole spirituality vs. atheism debate. There isn't much actual spirituality to be found in this place..

darkraven said:I’m just now seeing this... and honestly, I have to wonder who the hell actually finds "spirituality" in discussions like this.

That whole "lone wolf" label? It’s nothing more than another flashy little feather people use to dress up their egos. It's just another way to satisfy that desperate need to answer the question, "Who am I?"—just like our names or job titles.

If spirituality has ever actually revealed anything useful, it's that your true identity isn't found in your personality traits or your habitual patterns of thinking and acting.

You hit the nail on the head regarding the whole spirituality vs. atheism debate. There isn't much actual spirituality to be found in this place..

Where exactly is this "here"? This is an online forum—unless you thought you could just wander around the US looking for rare spiritual plants or enlightened souls, which, I guess, are even harder to find than lone wolves...
Well, I hope you enjoy the realization when it hits you.

Jason Howard9 said:Winter can't touch the wolves as long as they have the internet. 😁

👍 honestly, I can't wait for winter to get here... 👏

Thomas Nelson25 said:What makes you so restless? 🙄

Probably because I'm just not wired right... 🙄 🙄 🙄

slycyclist26 said:Probably because I'm just not wired right... 🙄 🙄 🙄

So basically, you're saying a larger group carries more energy than an individual—something you can't really control, unless you're actually managing to pull it off? 🙄

Thomas Nelson25 said:So basically, you're saying a larger group carries more energy than an individual—something you can't really control, unless you're actually managing to pull it off? 🙄

They bother me. I know most of them already. Not my scene... probably too exhausting. I don't really fit that "look at me, I've arrived" vibe.
I prefer hand-picked, small groups. A cozy atmosphere. But mostly, I'm happy just being on my own 🙂

🙄 🙄

slycyclist26 said:So, I finally forced myself to head out to a cafe again after a few months... it was a Saturday, too... and honestly, it was just awful. Too many people, too much noise, way too much everything. I managed to hang in there for maybe 20 minutes. The only saving grace was this young, blonde waitress... really cute and bubbly 😁

Once there are more than two or three people around, things get heavy and exhausting for me... I start feeling restless...
...but now I'm finally at peace. It's night, I'm listening to the sounds around me, and I feel alive—like I'm one with the universe, totally complete 🙂

...just typing away on the forum 🤣 🤣

I love being able to share my thoughts from the comfort of my own solitude. People have a skewed perception of what this is. Being online isn't "physical society" or being present in the way most people think. I've been practicing social fasting for about 20 days now. I log on whenever I feel like taking a break, but that doesn't mean I'm physically surrounded by people or drowning in noise. ☕

Henry Lopez10 said:We really need to pin down what a "lone wolf" actually is. It’s not some social misfit or an outcast hiding from the world, romance, or human connection because they're terrified of it. 🙄
It isn't about being a selfish jerk who hates everyone, either.
Rather, these are people who are just as content hanging out with a crowd as they are being alone. They aren't carrying around some deep-seated resentment that forces them into isolation; instead, they simply refuse to build their entire lives around the arbitrary standards or social pressures of the masses.
They don't rely on anyone else to feel whole.
They never find themselves bored or feeling empty when they're by themselves. Their happiness isn't tethered to the presence of others. They genuinely enjoy people, but they also feel perfectly comfortable navigating the world solo, as much as that’s even possible in this life.
They are emotionally and spiritually self-sufficient, capable of standing on their own two feet without spiraling into depression, misery, or whatever other negative headspace comes with isolation. They take care of themselves quite well, thank you very much. They don't let society dictate their definition of success or how they should live.
They don't feel this frantic pressure to get married, settle down, or spend every single weekend surrounded by friends, family, or crowds at a bar just to feel complete. They don't need sidecars attached to their lives just to stay upright. There are plenty of people who are constantly surrounded by groups but are completely alone in their souls... that doesn't mean anything.
A true lone wolf doesn't necessarily need conventional relationships or pack-like behavior to be satisfied with themselves and the world. They carve out their own path and make their own calls without fishing for compliments or seeking validation from the neighbors—all while making sure they aren't stepping on anyone else's toes. In fact, they don't get overly attached to anyone, and they tend to feel at home wherever they go. They love the company of others just as much as they cherish their own solitude.
Something like that, anyway.👍

Zemska, you hit the nail on the head with this one🙂.

slycyclist26 said:They bother me. I know most of them already. Not my scene... probably too exhausting. I don't really fit that "look at me, I've arrived" vibe.
I prefer hand-picked, small groups. A cozy atmosphere. But mostly, I'm happy just being on my own 🙂

🙄 🙄

Well, glad you finally figured that out—guessing you're on the younger side, maybe under thirty? Nothing wrong with that... took me until my thirties to catch on. Before then, I was busy playing parts, trying to be what I am now (though even today, I'm still somewhat tied to that 😁 "show-off" thing)

So now you know—it's always the same old question: to be or not to be.
Being an introvert is great for recharging, but you can't live in a vacuum forever.

silentridge14 said:I love being able to share my thoughts from the comfort of my own solitude. People have a skewed perception of what this is. Being online isn't "physical society" or being present in the way most people think. I've been practicing social fasting for about 20 days now. I log on whenever I feel like taking a break, but that doesn't mean I'm physically surrounded by people or drowning in noise. ☕

Well, obviously the web isn't a physical crowd or a physical presence...
That post wasn't even meant for you or anyone else here 😉

Thomas Nelson25 said:Well, glad you finally figured that out—guessing you're on the younger side, maybe under thirty? Nothing wrong with that... took me until my thirties to catch on. Before then, I was busy playing parts, trying to be what I am now (though even today, I'm still somewhat tied to that 😁 "show-off" thing)

So now you know—it's always the same old question: to be or not to be.
Being an introvert is great for recharging, but you can't live in a vacuum forever.

I'm 33 years old🙂

You can't live in a bubble, that's true. In certain areas, you're forced to play a part, like in a corporate office setting.
A lot of it depends on how old you are, too. What gets to me most is those masks people wear constantly... probably one of the main reasons I've mostly stepped back.

Thomas Nelson25 said:So basically, you're saying a larger group carries more energy than an individual—something you can't really control, unless you're actually managing to pull it off? 🙄

In most cases, that’s exactly how it works—the collective energy of a group is stronger, which is why an individual can be so easily swayed by the crowd.
It reminds me of... walking into a room and sensing the vibe before you even step inside. Does a single person notice that shift right at the threshold? Maybe. But if they've already crossed that line and stayed in the room, does it mean they can just back out the moment they hit the doorway?
For some people, their own energy is strong enough to hold its own against a crowd—though, honestly, those are things you just learn to handle as you get older. There aren't any universities that teach you this sort of thing. I suppose I think, know, believe so.

It isn’t really about how much energy a crowd has... it’s more about what you actually "pick up" from the vibe there. Eventually, you reach a point where you either vibe with it or just walk away...

slycyclist26 said:It isn’t really about how much energy a crowd has... it’s more about what you actually "pick up" from the vibe there. Eventually, you reach a point where you either vibe with it or just walk away...

In other words, that is exactly what I mean by 'group energy.'
Look, you can call it whatever you want—we're talking about the same thing, I guess. You get me?

Maria Robinson2 said:In most cases, that’s exactly how it works—the collective energy of a group is stronger, which is why an individual can be so easily swayed by the crowd.
It reminds me of... walking into a room and sensing the vibe before you even step inside. Does a single person notice that shift right at the threshold? Maybe. But if they've already crossed that line and stayed in the room, does it mean they can just back out the moment they hit the doorway?
For some people, their own energy is strong enough to hold its own against a crowd—though, honestly, those are things you just learn to handle as you get older. There aren't any universities that teach you this sort of thing. I suppose I think, know, believe so.

That’s completely wrong—the energy of a group isn't just a simple sum of everyone's individual vibes. The more people there are, the more you enter a totally new category altogether. It usually becomes a projection of intense, emotionally charged consciousness where people dump their fears because they're safe in numbers... just look at history! Think about the mob mentality during a lynching, where a crowd finds courage in throwing Peter to the wolves just to experience a catharsis through someone else's death. They convince themselves he deserves it and that hanging him will make them feel better.

And supposedly, Jesus's crucifixion was nothing more than the relief of a mass of people who would rather choose a sacrifice than actually change themselves or the world around them.

Then you have certain individuals who are energetically stronger than the collective and can impose themselves upon the group, much like the master political illusionist Hitler.
An idea that taps into people's objective struggles and flirts with heavy emotions can easily ignite a crowd, turning them into a mindless mob where individual boundaries vanish and "I" transforms into "WE."
So, really, it all comes down to identification.

If you want to practice sensing the energy of a space, all you have to do is visit places where thoughts are constantly being left behind and created—like cathedrals, mosques, or temples. From what I've seen, you can really tell the difference between an airy, gentle energetic structure and one that feels dense and suffocating, making you want to get out as fast as possible.