"We outsource the problem of sanity. People remain mentally healthy not merely because of the integrity of their own minds, but because they're constantly being reminded how to think, act, and speak by those around them."
He posits, and I think it makes a lot of sense, (and I am still reading through it) that human beings can achieve a lot of things by themselves, but it's in reality through others that we become regulated. He doesn't say it as such, but it almost sounded to me as though the value of having a network of individuals who are true friends, who want the best for you, who can point out to you when you're wrong, and reward you when you're right, is almost indispensable for any personal growth.
I suspect that what you are perceiving as an overly spent man is in fact a man who is cleansing his machine. The body has to be striped of its false energy systems before it can be regenerated with the natural normal energy systems. Since he was on drugs for depression he would have to purge that out of him and it would be a very depleting process. Overall, he looks like he is on the mend and looks great at his point on the journey back to full health.The conversation is one thing, but the state of the man is another altogether.
This is the picture of a man who ran his batteries right down to the very bottom in service to his work. -I clumsily think of Gurdjieff's description of the human energy reservoirs, with the dixie-cup sized vessel we all use for daily use and the swimming pool sized hidden reserves and what can be done with them. -And what happens when THOSE empty out.
This is true, but I think there have always been and always will be those who push the boundaries to achieve notoriety, and because of their perhaps creative nature, and that I think it's part of the job of artists and whatnot, and some of that is attractive to a younger mind who might be in the process of rebelling against the structure he or she grew up in. I think some of that is necessary, and I think it's the point that JBP opens up his new book with.It struck me a long time ago that people's environment/surroundings strongly determines how they behave with parental upbringing (in the past) usually the strongest factor, but since the advent of movies and especially television, people are very greatly influenced by the behavior being portrayed on the screen - and yes, I realize this is intentional programming. As both movies and TV, along with music/music videos, have become more graphic, violent, and toxic, these reflected behaviors have become more ingrained. That one's peer group is also absorbing the same toxic behavioral patterns, reinforcement is continuous. Social media has taken this concept and launched it to its apex! Bullying has morphed into full-blown cancel culture. And this comic certainly captures the essence of social media:
For sure - the term "prolonged adolescence" has been around for quite a while now as a descriptor of those who are failing in mass to mature into responsible adults. I have to think the large increase of divorced parents is a big factor also. My kids have said they were the only ones in their class with still married parents.Today people are encouraged to rebel to remain a teenager, self centered and egotistical, offended and constantly blaming the outside world for the troubles of life.