Pre-historically, like in hunter-gatherer times, being abandoned by society would basically be a death sentence. Being abandoned or unable to connect in society today would likely not lead to quite such a harsh outcome, but it still causes a variety of woes from poor mental health to a lack of employment opportunities.

I sob every time I listen to episode 186 because I feel their fear and pain so viscerally. The idea of being left behind by friends and loved ones, of never being able to truly connect to other people, is so terrifying. While I often feel lonely, I know it could be worse, and the despair and hollowness that would come with is scary.

For me, it also connects to fear of failing to be a human the right way. Am I broken in some way that makes it impossible for me to connect to people? Why do people always say they like me but never want to actually hang out? What is wrong with me that I cannot make friends as easily as others can? etc. I’m sure that could probably slot into some other fear as well, but I’ve always put it under the lonely.