AdlerTheCourageToBeDisliked The philosopher now explains that everyone is connected to a community, no matter how disconnected from a local community they are or how much they fail to take on their life tasks. He uses an example that when one buys a loaf of bread, they are contributing money that goes towards all aspects of the process of making that bread: the producers, farmers, deliverers, oil-producers etc.
While I agree with the point made, it is hard for it to resonate with me currently. Years ago, when the connectedness of all mankind and of all things in the universe was a focus of my worldview, this would have inspired me. Now it feels vacuous, if not obvious. It seems like a cheap offering, in place of the promise of a feeling of belonging in the world. What is the philosopher getting at?
He then describes a situation where a student places there whole identity in school. When adversity hits, they are rejected socially, they can’t keep up with the work etc, they will not find a refuge within school anymore. This refuge is a sense that “it’s ok to be here”. He points out there is a larger world outside of school, and in reality it is a very small community.
“All the hardship you went through in school is a storm in a teacup. The moment you leave the teacup, that raging storm will be gone, and a gentle breeze will greet you in its place.”