Be careful what you ask for Light! I LOVE to give my opinions!
Your questions sound a lot like the questions I had for myself some time ago. And the deep interest in and undersanding of philosphical thought at a young age; me too. I have a childhood history of people giving me the blank look, especially when questioning ideas that were very abstract. I mistakenly decided I was dumb. I have theories about this having witnessed similar interactions between both daughters and their friends, but in the spirit of not boring the living daylights out of anyone reading.......................
1.- cross-disciplinary profile. Perhaps you are globally gifted. I like to say "dynamic". I really enjoy people who are multi-dimensional and dynamic. I have different groups of friends who don't know each other and I like to flit from group to group because each group provides different things that are comfortable to me in a friendship.
BTW- I've never seen such a large group of super-dynamic people in one place until I joined this forum group!
2. Disability? Perhaps. Perhaps not. What you describe sounds to me like some type of information processing disorder. Please keep in mind, I have no experience as an information processing disorder diagnoses giver! In fact, you should take all my "advice" with a grain of salt!
I have a learning "disability". It's made things more difficult, but hasn't stopped me from accomplishing anything I really set my mind on. I'm a really high compensator, I bet you are too! IMNSHO, it's only a disability if it severely impairs your ability to function. So I don't think anyone can tell you if you have a disability except you, even if you do decide to pursue a diagnosis.
3. Meeting others like yourself. I don't know. I, too, went to a "club" of likeminded people. I didn't really find a whole lot, but didn't give it too much of a chance. I don't often find that friend that I can just let loose and discuss any subject with. But my husband is like that.
You will find people that are likeminded. But you have to be in it to win it, KWIM. I've recently found a friend who was definately an intellectual match, but we were in opposite disciplines. We had a great time discussing everything and anything. It was very intellectually and personally fulfilling. Unfortunately, I found after time that this friend was very controlling and manipulating. So my perfect intellectual matching friend was really not a good match as a friend.
I define a friend as anyone who is pleasant to be around, caring, respectful and interested in discussing, whatever! Emotionally healthy is important!
I don't narrow it to having to be my match in philosophical discussions, academic or career success. And not all of my friends "see" me like some do. Actually, that's a good thing sometimes!
And internet friends are good too! Especially the ones who hang around here. In fact, I've depleted all my usefullness for the day, so anytime anyone else wants to jump in..........
