At this point, everyone knows I'm hugely into books.
It's just so depressing how even book people are about nothing more than intentionally creating this self-perpetuating "community" of anxiety.
You can't go to any freaking book-related online space without people asking for permission to not finish a book. "Is it okay to DNF?????"
Same with doing shit to your own books. Do not write into them, do not open them too much or the spine will crack. Get a panic attack because two fucking photons touched the book and how it will be DAMAGED.
"I am having a panic attack because maybe I didn't get all the references in this book."
The same with every hobby. Cooking? You are not environmentally friendly enough, you are not authentic enough, this is wrong, that is wrong.
Hell, I am kiiinda thinking about a Switch, I looked at Animal Crossing and people are freaking the fuck out at others for not playing the game "right". Others are having depression because their islands are not aesthetic enough.
How did the internet turn everyone so fucking neurotic over the things we were supposed to do as FUN? And I am not even just talking about SJW things, but every community is about "doing it the right way" even though it doesn't matter and there doesn't exist a right way?
Fellow Midwesterner here, and I wholeheartedly concur that we need more social spaces where like-minded men can gather, shoot the bull, discuss relevant topics, and maybe have a burger and a beer while we're at it. Somewhat like the Moose Lodges, Eagles Aeries, Masonic Lodges, etc, but without all of the prior associations that go along with any of those groups. Trouble is, with the current political climate I doubt that any place that gets set up would be allowed to get to the point where the Feds could Ruby Ridge it, because the state and local opposition would get wind of it and do everything in their power to shut it down.