"Dead end" might be the wrong metaphor. I believe it looks to you more like you're at the edge of a cliff (which, I suppose, would be a dead end.) Jumping off feels life threatening, like you would be plunging into an abyss. But it's not a deep chasm. At worst, you'll get bruised . . . maybe get scraped. Say to yourself: "This won't kill me . . . This won't kill me." Nothing good comes to anyone who will not take a risk.

I'm not saying for you to go up to the next attractive girl and say: "How about being my lover?" or even asking for a date. First you have to adopt an attitude of liking people. Right now you are so hurt over the rejection that you assume is out there that you're at least a little bit mad at every pretty girl for not accepting you, before you even start talking to one. People pick up up that. Practice making believe that most people are pretty nice, even though you don't believe that yet. Think of nice things to say to people - girls and non-girls. Give people compliments, even though it may feel corny. Ask people for help, even when you don't need any. Like - ask for directions to a place you're not even going to. This is how you limber up.

Right now, the main way you interact with people is to argue with them. At least that is a form of contact, but it's getting you nothing that you really need. So on your gravestone they can put: "He never had a friend, but he was one heck of a debater." That's where you're headed. But age 27 is still early enough to change direction.

You're intelligent. You've got a decent basic education. You've got Internet access. (Actually, that may be a fruitless distraction.) Pick up some books on socializing and tips to dating. Join something. Adopt a dog and start going to a nice park. Stop talking yourself out of everything, before you give anything a chance. If nobody ever tried anything new, we'ld still be living in caves and hunting for our food. Wake up tomorrow and say, "What could I do today that would be a real departure from my usual plan?"

One day, when I was about your age, I got into a bus and rode it for 2000 miles . . . just to see what there was to see. I'ld love to be 27 again.