I agree with most of your points and appreciate that you’re willing to look at things like more government regulation in the market, say you’re leary but also recognize that maybe it’s the next step to take.

Personally I believe the only way to cultivate a truly sustainable society is for it to be based more on culture than institutions. I see big government as more of a wet nurse than the finished product.

Right now we have people who are so conditioned by propaganda they get sick at seeing homeless people because they think they’re just lazy. There’s little we can do to make a better society with so many people in this poorly cultivated condition. For now, the government can step in and reallocate resources. With time, if we’re lucky, we can develop a culture that would promote human decency and healthier communities.

As you say we stepped away from religion before we really integrated the scientific understanding of self and society. That has done a lot of harm. (Though personally I feel spirituality and healthy religious institutions will always be important.)

Thanks for your thoughts!