I suspect that in a few more years, you'll revoke their license to occupy your brain and control your path in life. That's true freedom.
Some people don't realize this until it's too late, and all they can do is look back and say, "for what?"
If your ego doesn't kill you, it will rob you of your best years, so be careful.
Powerful words.
I disagree with the parent comment even though I share a lot of the same thoughts, feelings and desires. Vengeance would surely be great, for a moment. But your words say it well. Who cares what people think? Your point on ego is spot on.
FWIW, OP focuses a little too much on "finding a connection" and consistently saying, "that's what life is about." IMO, life isn't about anything. Calm down. Relax. Everything is arbitrary. While I think it's great OP has found meaningful activities, the things he finds enjoyable sound dreadful to me.
But we're all different :)
> But my conscience tells me that I have to tone it down a bit because I'm not a jock, I don't want to stoop down to the same level of those who've bullied me.
He's exactly like the jock in that he carry the same insecurities/low self-esteem and look for an arbitrary status symbol (e.g., funding, startup exit) in his given social circle to overcompensate, belittle those who don't have it. Except he can't admit it to himself and is convinced that he's better (when he's no better) than Jerry McGuire and Arnold Schwarzenegger aka the sales guy or the project manager who are slightly duchey and hits on the office manager and graphics designer girls.
> I live in Brooklyn (but not Williamsburg); I'm not a hipster ... I'm not a jock and I'm not a hipster, I'm a sensitive hacker.
Although he participates in the same consumerist activity as the "hipster", going to Whole Food's, indie shows, bicycle ride-along's etc. He consider himself a special and unique breed, a "sensitive hacker" just like the "hipster" who believe their outwardly bohemian, counter-mainstream "attitude" somehow validate themselves; When Arduino and HN, like American Apparel is just niche marketing.
> I'll start a blog with a side-bar with me as the Founder of X ... I'll tweet for a break, I'll share on your FB wall,
He is convinced that his goal to "give back" and "blogging/startuping" is altruistic and giving back to community - when it's really his need to feel altruistic. What he really wants is to have a soap box to stand on, a podium to have his voice heard. The irony is that as much as he wants to be heard (and validated), he doesn't think really to listen to those right besides by him but is scared that he isn't heard - so aims to shout louder and try to drown out all the other "shouters."
> I'm going to book a ticket on Stubhub for a show next weekend that I and my GF can go to, starred artist on her Spotify ... I'm saving money consciously for a down payment for a house after reading more about passive income because I'm growing to become an adult.
He follows life like a mom checks off a grocery list or a Cosmos reader following the sex tips on Cosmos. Does he really know his friend or significant other or himself, or does he just like the idea of the clique, traveling, the relationship, Brooklyn or fears the missing out as he hear those around him get "richer" and "happier."
The biggest tragedy or comedy in life, depending on how you look at it, is people locking themselves in mental prison and self-styled martyrdom all in the name of the pursuit of freedom. There comes a time when a man must ask themselves whether a Renee Zellweger nose completes him - just shut up ... reset that broken nose.
I got it. Made my day. If there's ever a chance where we're in close geographic proximity I'll buy you a beverage of your choice.
