Guys, Individualism is a DOOZY

If you want to learn more about it, you'll LOVE James F. Richardson's book, Our Worst Strength

Happy pub day to James F. Richardson’s “Our Worst Strength” [Amazon link here.]

Now available on Amazon!

I first came across Dr. Richardson’s newsletter Homo Imaginari a few months ago. His post “The Decay of Adult Friendship in America” caught my eye.

He had me hooked here:

As I lived in Tamil Nadu in the late ‘90s, I often reflected on how sad the state of adult friendship for men had become in America. As men become more wealthy and educated, they tend to make their spouses their best friends. And hardly any other friend can even be located. This is especially true for the introverted.

Why is this?

His answer:

American society’s extreme individualism, electronic financial system, and thoroughly impersonal consumer retail setup mean that most adults can obtain 99% of their essential needs without real social networking of any kind. The system we live in is established mostly on impersonal trust. Every ordinary product or service in America is available without fear of corruption (unlike venture capital terms sheets). Leveraging high-trust friends to get things done is almost unnecessary outside of sophisticated business activities. No lifestyle transaction requires the help of a friend. But more importantly, the more affluent we are, the less we prefer to ‘impose’ on friends for anything (unless we are in college).

His work helped me see how this extreme individualism in our society doesn’t set our friendships up for success. It chips away at community and a common good.

I was elated to receive an early copy of Our Worst Strength. In the book, Dr. Richardson examines all the ways America’s unchecked individualism tears at the fabric of society. From our diet, to social relationships, to work –– really, it’s touched every sphere of modern life.

In fact, I like this book so much that I even blurbed it. If you’re interested in learning more about the impact of individualism, if you’re looking to connect the dots, read this book.

Besides that, I’ve been playing a lot of DAVE THE DIVER on my Switch and I’m OBSESSED with it. It’s so fun and so calming. All I wanna do is pop a gummy and swim around looking at pixilated jellyfish.

What have you all been reading / watching / playing? Tell me in the comments.

Have a great weekend!!

Yours,

Anna