Thank you everyone for the replies. It's nice to hear voices of reason rather than mockery. I'm not going to stop hypermiling because nobody else understands it, I just wish sometimes that I wasn't looked at like I'm crazy.
I commonly "pass myself" for other drivers who tailgate me on the highway, temporarily switching to the center lane so they can accelerate and brake behind the next driver. I must admit it's tempting at times to stand on the brake pedal and collect the insurance money, but it's easier to just let them by.
I find it saves me a lot of stress to drive better than everyone else (that sounds conceited but it's how I feel!). Maintaining a space cushion, looking far ahead and striving to maintain situational awareness has a dozen benefits, not the least of which is fuel economy. It's important to note that it also benefits by keeping me alive, which in turn allows me to continue hypermiling.
The circle of hypermiling?
As a tiny note, I too suffer from tinnitus, thanks to frequent ear infections as a kid. It sucks. Mine's not super loud (don't recall the dB's, I was tested ~15 years ago), but it does tend to interfere with sleeping sometimes.
Anyway, thanks everyone. Maybe we're all crazy together.
