Uploaded October 2022 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago

---

Once upon a time, a group of hedgehogs faced the cold winter. As they were feeling cold, they decided to move closer to each other and share bodily warmth. Unfortunately, as soon as they crawled together, they hurt each other with their sharp spines. And thus, the hedgehogs moved away from each other again, as the cold weather was more tolerable than being hurt by the spines.

The hedgehog story (coined by Arthur Schopenhauer) shows the tragic dilemma of human relationships: due to feelings of loneliness and isolation, we seek closeness with others, but the closer we become, the more likely we seem to get hurt (and hurt others).

Video: The Closer We Get, The More We Hurt | The Hedgehog’s Dilemma

Support the channel:
✔️ PayPal: paypal.me/einzelgangerco
✔️ Patreon: patreon.com/einzelgangster
✔️ Bitcoin: 3HQnEz1LQ4G6dqN2LdZgzc7qoJjJCyWjTC
(Donated BTC and want in the credits? Send me an email with the amount/address)

🎞️ Animations and thumbnail art by Munkaa:
youtube.com/user/jus7y

Book: Loose! (affiliate links):
📘 Paperback: amzn.to/3QVfrqM
💻 Ebook: amzn.to/3qStDX0

Book: Stoicism for Inner Peace (affiliate links):
📘 Paperback: amzn.to/3wB9iHb
💻 Ebook: amzn.to/2RdjbKV

Book: Unoffendable (affiliate links):
📘 Paperback: amzn.to/2RJYfti
💻 Ebook: amzn.to/35e23a5

Merchandise:
🛍️ Shop: teespring.com/stores/einzelgangerstore
🛍️ Merchandise design by Punksthetic Art:
youtube.com/user/JRStoneart

#socialisolation #schopenhauer #loneliness

00:00 - Intro
01:11 - Keeping distance
04:50 - Attraction & repulsion
07:35 - What are the options?
08:13 - Option 1
09:26 - Option 2
10:52 - Option 3