Look confident - Hold your head up, be alert, look at your face in the mirror sometimes and make sure you don't look off putting, smile more, say good morning (afternoon, etc.) and if you're not confident, fake it and just act the part.
Make small talk - Ask someone how is there day, give a complement (I like your shirt, hair etc be observant), weather.
Look interesting/be interested - I know this is out of your control, you can't help if people don't respond, but perhaps wear a conversation piece? My hair seems to be a good conversation starter with plenty of strangers I don't know. I usually just mind my own business but people make conversation with it and I go along. If you look interesting, people do make note of that and strike up conversations, AND if you see someone that looks interesting, make note of that and complement them/ask about it.
Any clubs you can join? most people are easier for us to talk to when we know we have some common points :) how about volunteering? (you shouldn't have to do it everyday if you don't want to, I've seen places that let you do that once a week, you could look into that)
Meetups? If you live in an area that's big enough http://www.meetup.com has people that have get togethers.
There's nothing stupid about wanting to talk to people, we all like to talk to someone eventually :D keep practicing and trying, but try not to be too disappointed. Someone will make friends with you.
