This is an interesting topic. I'm not sure how much response it will get in the Antisocial Personality forum though. Personally I'm not a deep enough thinker to have much insight into this. I guess I have empathy of a sort. But I'm a recluse. I just want to be left alone. I suppose it's a defense mechanism. Is it a mental illness? I guess so. I don't know. That would be for some mental health professional to determine I suppose. I don't know how "normal" people view me. And I really don't care.