Sure. Go through the posts and see whose writing you like and invite them to be friends, have discussions through the message function.

You don't need to participate. Nothing wrong with reading and only commenting when you really believe you have something valuable to contribute. Alternatively, I'm sure there are users out there who you may jive with who may be willing to do 1:1 pm chats.

Carla, andygee already suggested what I was going to suggest. But I'd like to add, don't be afraid of reaching out to someone who you feel like corresponding with on any subject. I'm quite an introvert so it takes a little bit to coax me out of my ivory tower, but once I get to know someone and trust them, the words flow easily. Take a chance. Also don't hesitate to block someone if they are consistently rude and disrespectful.

OK, if I answer, am I messing with your person to person communication?

You can always use the messaging feature on this site. It is always only one-to-one. I have used it a number of times, with no ill results.

No one said that you have to engage in group discussions. Find someone to talk to and chat.

One-on-one discussions sound great. I think I can tell you have a love for words and a good relationship with your inner dialogue.

you can private message people by going to their profile or just read

I have not found the groups to be very large on any given topic, a few people at most

Perhaps you'll enjoy just reading through the discussions? If you want to drop in with a comment, it certainly doesn't mean anything other than just that....a comment, which might (or possibly, might not) add to the theme.

You can find one-on-one conversations on here, and just look in on the group discussions.

You don't have to participate in chat rooms. I don't. People will talk to you one on one, just engage them.

I haven't participated in any group chats, and I doubt you will experience pressure if you choose not to. Postings tend to be asynchronous and sequential, with first one and then another individual commenting. People seeking traditional dating site activities may be disappointed, while those looking for more in-depth exchanges may be pleasantly surprised. I wouldn't give up too quickly. You can always lurk on the edges of discussions while getting the lay of the land and identifying people who you may have interests in common with.

Totally your choice, you can choose not to go into chats, choose not to post, comment or read posts and comments. You can contact others seeking one on one discussions or if uncomfortable, you can leave the forum. ahhh freedom, gotta love it.

Although i am engaged in a few ongoing 1-1 conversations, i find my quick respondings to various forum posts, here, and at FB, help clarify some ideas, provide for many after thoughts, and give lubrication to my fingers. (Have posted a bit at Quara and Discus.)

I ALWAYS copy ALL of my posts to a documents saved on my computers. (mostly in word/excel docs, increasingly in Wordperfect/Quattro Pro files, and Scrivener projects.) I have nearly 30K words from posts to FB during the past 4 years. And many thousands from messages sent, and received, via OKcupid. Not sure about about total characters sent to here yet.

These posts have, and will, become fodder for stories, scenes, and dialogs, as well general reference..

(My main writing tool is spreadsheets. Nothing compares to the speed of entering ideas, and variations.)

I have some similar issues with group dynamics, and I haven't been on here a long time, but so far it's been easier to join in conversations that don't degenerate into confrontation than most other places I've found. I'm sure it'll happen eventually but there have been a couple of discussions where I thought I was going to see some kind of backlash and the worst that happened was someone pointed out a couple of poorly worded or vague phrases.

As a new member, I have insufficient data to form any reliable conclusions about this site or the people on it, but open criticism will help hone your writing skills, use of rhetoric, and logic far better than one-on-one discussions where a "friend" (or even enemy) is less likely to pick apart your argument, spelling, grammar, and writing style. Likewise, keeping your circle of associates small will likely limit the topics you are exposed to and "miss out" on some lovely chances for argument, I mean "learned discussion." Best of luck to you!

Good luck, seems like they all want to pounce on us and put us down.

I feel you should be able to engage on the level you're most comfortable with. One on one might be harder to keep continuity. I dunno why I feel that way, but that's my gut reaction.
Moving forward, I think with this method, the onus is on you to initiate with the individuals you choose. Hopefully, you'll find your comfort zone.

Are you seeking to be persuaded? Despite your claims, you made the approach ?

Rarely have simple answers

Interlocutor - New word for me. Thanks!

Sounds like you have anxiety issues. A low tolerance for stress of any kind.

I am not a chat room person either-do a lot of one on one discussions myself on messenger.