Yeah, I'm gonna disagree. What you're seeing is peoples' response to you.

I remember feeling the way you did when I was like 20. But I've learned in the years since.

This is what adults are: they are dealing with stuff you don't know about. Extremely heavy shit. It comes for all of us.

And even if heavy shit isn't on their minds, the day-to-day is taxing enough. If you have a job, kids, and a house to take care of, you don't give a shit about how many syllables some stranger is using to talk about their own personal interests.

I have a PhD and spend all my working day immersed in esoteric high-minded shit. I'm not perfect, but I'm not stupid. However, when I go out for a run or to a coffee shop, the last thing I want to do is engage my fucking brain. It's turned fucking off.

Also, those years of questing after philosophical truths and discussions and etc. are behind me. Much rather just sit quietly and enjoy the day and whatever peace it brings.

I've been an adult for going on three decades now and I've consistently been impressed at how people bear the burdens they bear. Sickness. Chronic illnesses. Dying family members. Everybody over the age of 40 has this stuff on their minds. To be able to get up each and every day and meet the demands of the day while managing those mental burdens is nothing short of admirable. And generally, I've found that people who are doing this don't want to talk about trifling shit.