Yep.

I recently went on a cruise, which I'd like to think represents a fairly unbiased, randomized cross-section of middle America. Only once did I hear a conversation that I would consider not to be a total waste of breath.

Goddamnit it, if OP's rant doesn't sum up my own feelings about my own locale.

No idea why this has stuck with me... but when I was 10 years old, one of my teachers had a poster on the wall that claimed "Small minds talk about people. Average minds talk about events. Great minds talk about ideas." From the moment I first read it, I knew it to be true, and time has certainly verified it further.

JTHipster, it sounds like you're an idea man, 6 months isn't enough time to really lay down roots, find like-minded people, and build fulfilling relationships. Most "thinkers" are shy and hesitant to open up out in the real world, because they can't connect when they don't watch sports, sitcoms, listen to radio, or buy into whatever bullshit pop culture fad is current. You could even run into one and never know, because it's much less risky if everyone sticks to their little scripts.

Anyway, hang in there, hubski is rooting for you. :)