The North Pond Hermit

[Daniel]

Just read this article about this guy today. This guy, Christopher Knight, spent 27 years alone in the woods in Northern Maine in the United States. The mental health evaluation by Maine forensics services mentioned possible Asperger's.

The Strange Tale of the North Pond Hermit

I'll go entire days without speaking to anyone, but 27 years, and only once saying 'hi' to someone? Wow. That's amazing. Part of me really admires this guy! I'm fairly new at accepting myself, and that I'm not ever going to be like the NT majority, so maybe I admire the strength of his convictions. And I like that he felt guilty about stealing.

Curious to see others' responses!

 

[Brent]

Interesting read. Thanks for sharing.

 

[grommet]

I did not read the article you linked to but I think you should look up "The New England Leatherman". There are some videos on YouTube about him. Made me sad but also I felt like I understood what he was trying to do.

Just read this article about this guy today. This guy, Christopher Knight, spent 27 years alone in the woods in Northern Maine in the United States. The mental health evaluation by Maine forensics services mentioned possible Asperger's.

The Strange Tale of the North Pond Hermit

I'll go entire days without speaking to anyone, but 27 years, and only once saying 'hi' to someone? Wow. That's amazing. Part of me really admires this guy! I'm fairly new at accepting myself, and that I'm not ever going to be like the NT majority, so maybe I admire the strength of his convictions. And I like that he felt guilty about stealing.

Curious to see others' responses!

 

[Daniel]

I did not read the article you linked to but I think you should look up "The New England Leatherman". There are some videos on YouTube about him. Made me sad but also I felt like I understood what he was trying to do.

Thanks for the reference... I had not heard of this story! I read the Leatherman's Wikipedia page, and I plan on learning more about him.

 

[grommet]

You are welcome. I felt a lot when I learned about him. I spend a lot of time looking at photographs, you can find them on Google image search. Seeing how he aged and how a person could live their life totally alone .. made me think and feel. I feel alone on the planet and I wonder if all aspies feel that way even when we are together.

Thanks for the reference... I had not heard of this story! I read the Leatherman's Wikipedia page, and I plan on learning more about him.

 

[Daniel]

You are welcome. I felt a lot when I learned about him. I spend a lot of time looking at photographs, you can find them on Google image search. Seeing how he aged and how a person could live their life totally alone .. made me think and feel. I feel alone on the planet and I wonder if all aspies feel that way even when we are together.

Yes, I think that's what prompted me to post the story about Christopher Knight. The guy just wanted to live alone.

I currently live alone in a big city (after 12 years with my ex). I think being around so much noise all day makes me feel even more alone.

Working to convert loneliness to solitude, as they say!

 

[grommet]

Loneliness to solitude .. nice thought. Maybe that's what a lot of us are searching for. People are too much for me but being alone can be lonely. I don't understand people and I find them loud annoying and hurtful but, I feel strange when there isn't anyone around. A conundrum.

 

[grommet]

Daniel, I finally read the GQ article. I am very touched. It's hard to talk about how I feel but I thought I understood a lot of what he said. He really did just want to be left alone and I understand his lack of understanding on why he left on the day he did to just go in to the woods. When I was about his age, when he went in to the woods, I used to think about doing something so similar. It's just coming back to me now. I was going to drive in to the desert until I ran out of gas and then just keep walking in one direction. I guess he actually did it. Autism is tough.

Thank you for the article.

 

[bentHnau]

I'm planning to do something similar, but legally. I didn't grow up with any outdoorsy stuff either; I just became aware of how depressed it made me to live indoors a few years ago, and then how poorly I fit in to society a bit later, then how poorly I relate to other people most recently. I don't consider myself a "true hermit" like this guy. Seems he truly doesn't care for the company of others. Or maybe he's been out of the game so long that he no longer feels any desire for any of it.

Inability to find or work a job left me living in my vehicle, and, once I realized that "homelessness" wasn't the horror that it was made out to be, I became hooked on the sense of freedom, the experience of falling asleep amidst the sounds of nature, the quiet, the tranquility. Outdoors is where I feel most alive.

 

[Aspieistj]

When I was planning to retire I began to admit to myself that all I really wanted was to be left alone. It is next to impossible to live and avoid all people, but I do fairly well living as a hermit. I never invite anyone to come to my house and I despise having anyone think they have their right to simply drop by for a visit. I HATE the telephone but realize I have to have one in order to be safe in the crazy world. I do depend upon electricity and propane and gasoline (for my car) so I have to occasionally interact with people who supply the things I need. I have no desire to live a terribly austere life. I simply want as much solitude as possible. I will go to a doctor or visit a dentist and I will always take my pets to the vet if they need help. I have to deal as impersonally as possible, in order to do any banking, pay my taxes and buy the items I choose to consider necessary to my personal comfort. I am not cruel to others but I do le t them know I highly value solitude. I remain available to my two adult sons for the occasional times that they feel the need to interact with me. I love to be alone. That way, I can't annoy anyone and they can't bother me.