How many friends do you have in real life who share your interest in astro/space?

[Tim]

1 hour ago, geordie85 said:

It's a miracle I have a wife, but she's pretty damn sure I suffer from aspergers syndrome, which to be fair would explain alot. 

2

Well, you are in good company here, more of the members and moderators that you will be aware of experience some form of ASD.

[Marci]

*waves* diagnosed ASD here! (for instance).

[Vince 2018]

1 friend who owns a scope, we tend to go out when sky clear. other friends like my pictures but i dont think its the same really.

[geordie85]

18 minutes ago, Tim said:

Well, you are in good company here, more of the members and moderators that you will be aware of experience some form of ASD.

Very true, and I frequent this forum very often and find it a very friendly, comfortable place. 

We all must have something wrong with us to want to be out in the freezing cold at all hours of the night. Or is it everyone else who is weird for not wanting to gaze out into the vast majesty of wonderful things we call our universe. 

[Scott]

A few are interested in what I do but not enough to do it themselves. I think astronomy lends itself to solitary types. Apart from a handful of guys that I met through sgl and some astro groups on fb, I really don't mix actual astronomy with socialising. Now getting together with like minded folk to share experiences or just having a laugh, well thats a different story.  I love the social aspect of star parties but if I'm honest, I'll probably not bother taking any kit with me anymore. Keep it social. That said, I do enjoy looking through a monster dob which as an imager, is something I'll never own :(.

[Scott]

2 hours ago, Tim said:

Worth noting that even some of my astro friends, if I start to go into detail about the finer points of what I enjoy doing, ie, taking long exposures of random sky areas and just seeing what comes out, just for pure interest, I can see their eyes start glazing over 

Sorry... you were saying?

 

[Mr Spock]

2 hours ago, geordie85 said:

None, but then again I only have a handful of friends. I struggle with people and have been told I'm a rather strange and awkward fellow. 

It's a miracle I have a wife, but she's pretty damn sure I suffer from aspergers syndrome, which to be fair would explain alot.

Welcome to the club I got my official ASD assessment 5 years ago. On the negatives I avoid direct contact with people as much as possible, can't learn anything in a classroom, have no family or friends; the positives are my analytical brain and ridiculously high IQ. It takes a lot of effort sometimes to do the things I want to do - but anything is possible if you can recognise a path that feels comfortable for you

[Marci]

^^^ Pretty much ditto, hence I work in Information Security and Web Development. 

[Steve]

25 minutes ago, Mr Spock said:

... have no family or friends

You have plenty here at SGL, Michael ?

[Sedna]

Hi everyone, thanks so much for the replies and welcomes! It's really comforting to know that a lot of you struggle with the same problem. I think I will start checking out local star parties and astronomy clubs when I'm back soon in LA starting a new job. I know there are several in Southern California. You might think LA would be a terrible place for astronomy, but just three hours out of town we have the Mojave desert which is amazingly clear, dry, and free of light pollution ... and you can observe the winter sky without freezing to death Looks like most of you are in the UK, so probably I won't be meeting many of you in real life, but I definitely planning on posting here more and making the most of what looks like a great community ?

[Stu]

6 minutes ago, Sedna said:

but I definitely planning on posting here more and making the most of what looks like a great community

Please do! Many of us would love to have access to those skies, so hearing about them is the next best thing.

[Knighty2112]

10 minutes ago, Sedna said:

You might think LA would be a terrible place for astronomy, but just three hours out of town we have the Mojave desert which is amazingly clear, dry, and free of light pollution ...

Just watch out for rattle snakes and coyotes!  

[25585]

My brother was until he married... The local AS I used to go to were more into computers, imaging etc. Being a purely visual unscientific type, I lost interest and am a star party of one doing my own thing.

[cloudsweeper]

57 minutes ago, Sedna said:

just three hours out of town we have the Mojave desert

Love the scale of the US!  I regard a three hour drive on British motorways (aka car parks) as something to dread, and to avoid as much as possible.  ?

Doug.

[Ouroboros]

It's never bothered me that none of my family or friends are into astronomy. I quite like the fact that it's my thing, unique to me amongst the people I know well. I don't want to do astronomy with other people.  I meet people who share an interest in astronomy at my local astronomical Soc. And the Internet is great for sharing the interest and for information. But that's it. There are other things like music that I like to share with others. I'm a member of two singing groups and two music making groups in my local U3A. But astronomy, no! I like it as a solitary activity.  I don't go fishing but I wonder whether it's a bit like that. An opportunity to get away from others. 

[Ouroboros]

11 minutes ago, cloudsweeper said:

Love the scale of the US!  I regard a three hour drive on British motorways (aka car parks) as something to dread, and to avoid as much as possible.  ?

Doug.

Yes, I had a quiet smile to myself for same reason when I read Sedna's post.  

[RiponJas]

I've just found out that I have one friend who is into astronomy also, known him 10 years nearly! 

And last night it turns out another friends gf is interested to,  noticed by a large loud and rude exclamation when she saw my few scopes. 

Other than that nobody I know,  only just realised that I'm interested!! ? 

[DHEB]

10 hours ago, Sedna said:

I often feel that the social/human world is the video game

Ditto

[RiponJas]

Video games can be turned off easily though! 

[scarp15]

10 minutes ago, Ouroboros said:

 I don't go fishing but I wonder whether it's a bit like that. An opportunity to get away from others. 

No doubt there is a similar circumstance. Another factor will be coordinating with others, unless attending an arranged meet, it can involve quite a determined effort some times to get organised and get out, particularly if driving to a dark site and when the weather forecast might disappoint.  It will not have the same appeal as for example arranging to meet in the pub, as planning activities is most cases is considered a day time pursuit.

[cloudsweeper]

16 minutes ago, Ouroboros said:

But astronomy, no! I like it as a solitary activity.  I don't go fishing but I wonder whether it's a bit like that. An opportunity to get away from others. 

Maybe it's a trait we share for some reason.  I like contact, but when it comes to leisure, I just don't do groups - walking groups, cycling groups - not for me!

Doug.

[LukeSkywatcher]

I have no friends. That's it.... I have no friends. 

[lukebl]

2 minutes ago, cloudsweeper said:

....... I just don't do groups - walking groups, cycling groups .....

Nor me. I don't even do astronomy groups. 

Apart from this one.

Something I've learnt is to embrace my innate introversion, and look on it as a positive and constructive thing. I'm now very comfortable in my own skin. 

[Gina]

13 minutes ago, LukeSkywatcher said:

I have no friends. That's it.... I have no friends. 

Well, you certainly have plenty on here ?

[Macavity]

As onetime Particle Physicist I am quite GLAD to escape (retire from!) science / scientists! ?

THAT said, I really do miss conversations with *anyone* (relatives or neighbours) locally...
I don't have transport <sigh> but I really ENJOYED my local Astronomy Society Meetings! 
Hey, we never saw ANYTHING on "observing meetings" but I found great kinship therein. ?

I HATE all this introvert / extrovert thing! (lol) As (supposely) an "introvert" I taught myself
to lecture to "crowds of hundreds" (OK... Particle Physicists. lol). But I DO think it important
to be part of some sort of real-world community. Try to move beyond the internet guys... ?

Macavity is available to LECTURE at Astro Soc Meetings... weddings... bar mitvahs etc. etc. ?