Part of the problem I have with social life these days is that I hate my act. Possibly as a consequence I am now less able to do the act so well and thus social life has become even more disagreeable.

The received wisdom for a solution to this problem might be just to be oneself. This is a rather romantic notion. I think there is no such thing as social life devoid of an act. There is always a show of one kind or another. Having no act would be like going into the street with no clothes. Apart from the possibility of arrest it’s just not done. It’s impossible for clothes not to say something about you. They make a statement.

Same with social. One’s behaviour, presence, demeanour, one’s act, always make a statement. I’m like a person grown tired of the same set of clothes. They don’t fit anymore.