- - - merely (and sadly, often lugubriously) disappointed.

Having come from a different milieu, I can say -
I understand that. The trick is to not take the failings of dozens (or even millions) personally. It is your past and current folly: to do exactly that. Ross is correct, even if his style grates on you (since you perceive the New idea as Hostile: and it is! .. but only to your faux-'personality').

Yes, it seems... "reasonable" (that people *ought* to behave in this way) - but only via the silly standards of Right/Wrong you were taught as a child. If you cannot reinvent 'yourself': No One can do this for you, for reasons so basic as to be inexpressible. If you wish sincerely to reach adulthood some day:

Believe NOTHING of what you have been taught! Yes: NOTHING.
It is all.. conventional euphemism (the deeply ingrained habit of the society you find yourself surrounded-by!), a mindset passed on by the fearful ---> so as to create supportive New fearful-ones. "Treating fear" has recently become, even - an entire fre$h Pharm-chem Industry!

(Fact: There_really_is_Nothing_to be_afraid_of.)
Fear itself (except in certain necessarily visceral situations re physical survival == walking along the edge of a cliff, say) is always a symptom of not yet knowing What you are, never mind 'who'. Word, that...

All the rest is fake emotional fear. And the Larger-trick is to finally realize that, *all* emotional-fear is internally imagined, then reinforced by the prevailing bafflegab we call psychology; lately reinforced by a plethora of Designer Drugs, modelled upon the fictional Soma of Brave New World -- and overtly advertised! on that same Tee Vee:

even for those who experience er "shyness at parties", and the like: you can now bugger your 'doctor' to prescribe a brilliant New Drug, to go with your present soup. Just watch your Tee Vee Ads: you will see. Don't believe anything someone just "says"! (including me)

ie

Yes, you are quite Correct: a culture which emphasized cooperation would *indeed be* a vastly more mature one than the present callow, juvenile one we both sort-of inhabit. I confirm your observation FWIW (not much) - you have to discriminate All By Yourself. And that is something you have, thus far - little experience in relying upon - the trusting of your own perceptions.

Maturity will arrive: when you see the same contradictions, wish it were 'different' {sigh} -- yet also see "the world" as: working Exactly as "a world of duality In All Things": Would/Should DOES 'Work' !!
It could not be any different than the Way It Is. <<<





No. Don't reply: not until you have tried-out ditching much of the habit-baggage you carry with you in all situations (and actually Like..) and - have something New to say.

As in: later.

And if none of this makes the slightest sense to you - leave it for what you call the unconscious to either sort out, or dismiss. That's something I can't 'do' for you (either). If there's a third option, it is: never mind.



Luck.