So use that socializing to your advantage.Without getting into all that jazz there: it's not just a spaceship shooting game. There's a lot of other things to do.
If this was a complaint in say - Star Wars Squadrons - I'd be right there with ya
OP's original point was to understand the other aspects of why people seek social engagement with others in Open and run the gank risk. It's about encountering random new folks and - whilst there's a risk ofc they'll just kill you - they might do other stuff too.
I think it's wrong to characterise ED as purely a spaceship shooting game. It's a spaceship game, allowing interactions with others if you're lucky enough to see em.
How they choose to act is a different matter. etc. etc. etc.
We have players in the squadron too who don't like fighting.
Find escorts. Scout ahead in a courier, clear the instance. Get that ridiculous low trade bonus, do wing missions.
All this talk about social engagement. You can't only mean o7 o7 o7 o7.
This game thrives if people work together, and do their own thing. Ganking / PvP is just a small part.
And you'll only get ganked in ~5 systems anyways.