Some people are just not all that interested in people. Science fiction is one of the few genres where it is somewhat acceptable to write stories that explore ideas and not feelings.
Indeed. Most fiction is ultimately about social relationships, someone's inner life, or personal growth. There are many stories, however, where those concerns are not the primary motivation for writing or reading the story, and SF has a disproportionate share of those. A fair number of "hard SF" stories are basically travelogues.
I found the dispossed to be actually a hard sci-fi novel, when it comes to people. The truth is that many people want emotional-porn, disguised as worthy literature which allows for "felt" adventures without actual challenges to the mental cosmos.
I still wait for actual hard-social-sci-fi - but its author(ess) would be hunted down the streets by the mob. Because humans are deeply flawed, and exploring those bugs and the hacks used by meta-organisms (like companys & states) would make for a thoroughly uncomfortable read.
TL,DR: There is very little hard, uncomfy social scifi. Because we rage when dragged out of our mental comfort zones.
