Do you get a chance to talk about your special interests?

Outside of this space, do you ever get the chance to have a conversation about the things you find interesting?

There are a few things I’m really passionate about (rocks, minerals, wood/tree species and grain patterns, traditional joinery techniques, wood turning, strength sports etc.). But whenever I try to talk about any of them I either get the impression that people are uninterested (which may be the case for my niche interests), that I’ve targeted the wrong audience or, even more interestingly, people come out and directly comment on how boring my interests are (even in jest, but with a perceived layer of truth hidden).

Just be yourself they say… but obviously don’t actually be yourself!

Id love to actually speak out loud about my interest sometimes, but just haven’t found anyone interested enough.

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  • It depends what you mean by 'talk'. If being part of an online Doctor Who community counts, then yes. And I occasionally get to talk to them over voice chat as well. I also have one Who-obsessed friend who I only get catching up with occasionally. And recently I got chatting about some Who audio stuff on a podcast after picking up the courage to occasionally join in (it's run by the same wee online community), which took a lot but I'm glad I made myself do it as I'd have regretted it otherwise. 

    For other adjacent fandoms, it's a little lonelier. A steady flow of Blake's 7, Sapphire and Steel, and Star Cops chat is harder to come by even among the niche quarters of the internet! 

  • It can feel lonely that most people I know in 'real life' will humour Who chat for only a very short time (understandably!), so I'm grateful for the above offset.   

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