Sarah Maslin Nir has a fascinating piece in today’s NY Times on-line about men who seek nearly complete social isolation (think Robinson Crusoe) here. Money quote from the University of Chicago’s John Cacioppo:
In our culture, there is this mythic individualism that we cherish,” said Dr. Cacioppo, who studies the biological and cognitive effects of isolation. “That’s particularly true for men — they are supposed to be an island unto themselves. They take that myth more seriously and try to pursue it.
Discoverers and Discoveries 