### Conclusion: What is with these people?
Based on the forum posts from the "/hikky/" section of a Finnish imageboard, these individuals are part of a subculture centered around social withdrawal and isolation, often identifying as "hikikomori" or "hikky"—terms borrowed from Japan to describe people who retreat from societal engagement and live largely confined to their homes. Below is a detailed analysis of their experiences, struggles, and motivations as reflected in the posts, providing a clear picture of "what is with these people."
#### Who They Are
These posters are primarily Finnish individuals, many of whom appear to be in their 20s to 30s, with some older (e.g., 35–39 years old), living a lifestyle marked by minimal social interaction. They include both men and women (e.g., "tyty hikky" mentions being female), though the majority seem to be male based on context and tone. Their lives revolve around solitude, often in small apartments or with parents, and they engage heavily with online spaces like this imageboard for expression and connection.
- Key Characteristics:
- Social Withdrawal: Most spend their days indoors, avoiding face-to-face interactions (e.g., "Onhan tää nyt perseestä miten elämä menee hukkaan komerossa").
- Mental Health Struggles: Depression, anxiety, autism spectrum disorders (e.g., Asperger’s), and trauma are frequently mentioned (e.g., "diagnosoitu skitsoidi persoonallisuushäiriö", "26-vuotiaana Asperger-mies").
- Economic Dependence: Many rely on government benefits like toimeentulotuki (income support), työttömyystuki (unemployment benefit), or kuntoutustuki (rehabilitation support), reflecting financial instability (e.g., "Tarvitsisin apua Kelan tuki asioissa").
#### Common Themes in Their Lives
The posts reveal recurring themes that shape their existence and worldview:
1. Isolation and Loneliness:
- Many express a profound sense of being disconnected, even when craving social contact (e.g., "Kaipaan sosiaalisia suhteita, mutta sitten kun niitä tarjoutuu, niin ei vaan pysty olemaan normaalisti läsnä").
- Past experiences like bullying or familial issues fuel this withdrawal (e.g., "Onko ihan normaalia alkaa miettimään vasta aikuisena omaa lapsuuttaan ja jotenkin tajuamaan, että ei se ihan normaalia ollut").
2. Mental Health Challenges:
- Depression and anxiety dominate their narratives, often linked to trauma or neurodivergence (e.g., "Oon oikeasti aivan onneton", "Autismi on sosiaalinen kuolemantuomio").
- Some seek escapism through gaming or aimless wandering (e.g., "Onko kukaan muu hikky harrastanut elämässään päämäärätöntä harhailua?").
3. Financial and Practical Struggles:
- Rising costs and dependence on welfare systems create stress (e.g., "Pystytkö enää juomaan kahvia näillä hintatasoilla? Itse aion lopettaa ihan puhtaasti hintasyistä").
- Interactions with bureaucracy (e.g., Kela, TE-toimisto) are a source of frustration (e.g., "Kela uhkaa vähentää toimeentulotuesta 20%").
4. Critique of Society:
- There’s a palpable resentment toward "normot" (normal people) and societal expectations (e.g., "Normot jauhavat vain politiikasta, mamuista, sodista ym. tapahtumista").
- They feel marginalized, with some questioning why they don’t fit in (e.g., "Sitten ne nuoret pariskunnat... aina kun nään niitä, niin tulee jossittelua pääni sisällä").
5. Mixed Emotions:
- Posts oscillate between despair ("35 vuotta ikää eli nuoruuskin lopullisesti taputeltu") and faint hope or curiosity (e.g., "Onnistumis lanka? Onko joku saanu kavereita tai jotain sellasta").
#### What Drives Their Behavior
Their withdrawal isn’t merely a choice but a response to a mix of personal and external factors:
- Trauma and Rejection: Childhood bullying, dysfunctional families, or failed attempts at "normoutuminen" (normalization) have left lasting scars (e.g., "Luulen, että sitä jaksoi yrittää normoutumistakin ja työelämässä oloa helvetin monta kertaa, koska tahtoi miellyttää omia vanhempiaan").
- Mental Health Barriers: Conditions like autism or social anxiety make social integration daunting (e.g., "Vaikka kaipaan sosiaalisia suhteita, niin sitten kun niitä tarjoutuu, niin ei vaan pysty").
- Systemic Pressures: Navigating Finland’s welfare and employment systems feels punitive, pushing them further inward (e.g., "Työkkäri pakottaa hakemaan useampaan paikkaan ja työtarjouksia tulee ovista ja ikkunoista").
#### The Role of the Forum
The "/hikky/" section serves as a vital outlet:
- Venting Space: They share raw, unfiltered struggles (e.g., "Onhan tää nyt perseestä miten elämä menee hukkaan komerossa").
- Community Seeking: Despite isolation, there’s a desire for solidarity (e.g., "Ihan mielenkiinnosta, onko täällä muita tyty hikkyjä?").
- Advice and Coping: Some seek practical help or share strategies (e.g., "Kertokaa pro vinkit, miten pelata työkkärin tätiä tapaamisissa").
#### Summary
So, "what is with these people?" They are individuals grappling with a complex interplay of personal trauma, mental health challenges, and societal alienation, leading to a life of isolation. They’re not just "shut-ins" by choice but people shaped by experiences that make mainstream society feel inaccessible or hostile. Their posts reveal vulnerability, frustration, and a search for meaning or connection within the safety of an online community that understands their struggles. While some cling to small hopes or coping mechanisms, others teeter on despair, yet they persist in carving out a space—however small—where they can exist as they are.[Expand Post]
This is the essence of the "/hikky/" posters: a marginalized group navigating life on the fringes, bound by shared experiences of withdrawal and a yearning for something better, even if they don’t always know what that is.