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Two false hermits of history

from Heritage Daily (UK), an article about an early modern era false prophet, professed hermit — and con artist. Article title: “Treasure hoard associated with hermit conman found in Świętokrzyskie Mountains.” Summary: A treasure hoard associated with Antoni Jaczewiczar, a notorious hermit, conman, and false prophet, has been discovered in the Świętokrzyskie Mountains in south-central Poland.
URL: https://www.heritagedaily.com/2024/05/treasure-hoard-associated-with-hermit-conman-found-in-swietokrzyskie-mountains/151928

from Bangor DailyNews, an article about a 1920s con man presenting himself as a hermit to justify his disappearances. Article title: “The mysterious ‘Hermit of Monson’ may have smuggled opium out of Maine in the 1920s.”
URL: https://www.bangordailynews.com/2024/05/06/piscataquis/jim-whyte-hermit-of-monson-legend-joam40zk0w/

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Magi McGlynn, Scottish hermit

A summary of the life ofRodney McGlynn is presented in an obituary in The Scotsman in June of 2023.

McGlynn was born into a Scottish Romani community. As an adult he lived in a “secluded stone-walled ‘bender’ with an impermanent thatched and canvas roof, a fireplace and seven small stained-glass windows.” Initially he had women partners and fostered a family but soon came to live alone. He was often surrounded by people seeking to help him in household tasks, and he frequently joined them in similar labor. As a musician, bard, singer, poet, and performer, McGlynn often traveled to festivals to perform.

URL: https://www.scotsman.com/news/people/scotsman-obituaries-magi-mcglynn-scottish-hermit-and-street-performer-4172804

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Hikikomori – update articles

Here are several reent articles on the phenomenon of hikikomori:

  1. “Permissive, Overbearing Parenting Is Connected to Hikikomori,” published in Psychology Today. The article premise is that hikikomori children are created by “parents who displayed some combination of being overbearing (helicoptering) and/or overly indulgent, which includes the sort of permissive parenting bereft of rules, structure, expectations, and consequences.” The article, however, does not address child psychology, neurological factors, or societal context.
    URLL: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/liftoff/202404/permissive-overbearing-parenting-is-connected-to-hikikomori.
  2. “The Concerning Global Rise in Hikikomori Syndrome, Explained,” puiblished in Psychology Today . The article maintains that “Hikikomori syndrome is an extreme form of social withdrawa influenced by psychiatric conditions, personality traits, family dynamics, and other factors.” The artivle notes that ‘”family support, mental health support, and starting with small steps can help hikikomori re-enter society.” In supporting the premise of global rise, reference is made to an article that quantifies the growth of the population of identifiable hikikomori. For this article, see note 3.
    URL: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/social-instincts/202404/the-concerning-global-rise-in-hikikomori-syndrome-explained

3. The review article referred to by the above article 2. was recently published by International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health and is freely available via open access. Title: “Hikikomori: A Scientometric Review of 20 Years of Research.”
URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/9/5657

4. An article from OHSU News (Oregon Health & Science University News) titled “New tool will help to diagnose form of extreme social isolation,” describes a proposed new diagnoistic tool for identifying the hikikomori patient, The tool is HiDE (Hikikomori Diagnostic Evaluation.
URL: https://news.ohsu.edu/2023/09/19/new-tool-will-help-to-diagnose-form-of-extreme-social-isolation

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Pietro Arnastasti, Italian island hermit

UK media site iNews features a profile of Pietro Anastasi. The feature title is: “I’ve lived on this remote Italian isle for half a century. I love my hermit life.” The byline reads: “Pietro Anastasi, 89, is the only year-round resident of the island of Filicudi, off Sicily’s northern coast, having moved there in the 60s.” The website requires a subscription, otherwise allowing the article to be visible about 20 seconds.

URL: https://inews.co.uk/news/world/lived-italian-isle-filicudi-hermit-2-29472

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On solitude – recent articles

Psychology Today offers several articles; one from The Daily Mail and one from Neuroscience News.

“What an introvert learned when researhing human connection.”
URL: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-case-for-connection/202402/what-an-introvert-learned-when-researching-human-connection

“On solitude: why we need it.”
URL: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/rethinking-men/202401/on-solitude-why-we-need-it

“The cure for loneliness is solitude.”
URL: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/passion/202401/the-cure-for-loneliness-is-solitude

from the Daily Mail (UK)”Spending time ALONE is good for you: Scientists say solitude can help relieve pressure of modern life.”
URL: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-12828431/Spending-time-good-Scientists-say-solitude-help-relieve-pressure-modern-life.html

from Neuroscience News: “Balancing Act: The Mixed Blessings of Solitude on Mental Health.”
Summary: A new study examines the nuanced impact of solitude on mental health among adults aged 35 and older in the UK and US. Tracking 178 participants over 21 days, the research found no definitive optimal balance between solitude and social interaction. While increased hours alone correlated with reduced stress and a sense of autonomy, it also led to feelings of loneliness and reduced life satisfaction, indicating the complex effects of solitude.
URL: https://neurosciencenews.com/solitude-stress-mental-health-23530/