Alas, I spent this year juuust coming to the conclusion that it was all more dangerous than I thought and am I still wrapping my brain around it.
I suppose it was noteworthy that I don’t think I got very damaged, and most of that was via… just not having prolonged contact with the four Vassar-type-people that I encountered (the two people whom I did have more extended contact with, I think may have damaged me somewhat)
So, I guess the short answer is “if you hang out with weird iconoclasts with interesting takes on agency and seeing the world, and you don’t spend more than an evening every 6 months with them, you will probably get a slight benefit with little to no risk. If you hang out more than that you take on proportionately more risk/reward. The risks/rewards are very person specific.”
My current take is something like “the social standing of this class of person should be the mysterious old witch who lives at the end of the road, who everyone respects but, like, you’re kinda careful about when you go ask for their advice.”
Alas, I spent this year juuust coming to the conclusion that it was all more dangerous than I thought and am I still wrapping my brain around it.
I suppose it was noteworthy that I don’t think I got very damaged, and most of that was via… just not having prolonged contact with the four Vassar-type-people that I encountered (the two people whom I did have more extended contact with, I think may have damaged me somewhat)
So, I guess the short answer is “if you hang out with weird iconoclasts with interesting takes on agency and seeing the world, and you don’t spend more than an evening every 6 months with them, you will probably get a slight benefit with little to no risk. If you hang out more than that you take on proportionately more risk/reward. The risks/rewards are very person specific.”
My current take is something like “the social standing of this class of person should be the mysterious old witch who lives at the end of the road, who everyone respects but, like, you’re kinda careful about when you go ask for their advice.”