Whether we’re on the grid or off it, we’re all reliant on those around us. In part this is because virtually everything we use, from modern medical care to copper wiring, was made by or requires the expertise of many, many people, the result in part of the vastly increased technological complexity of the last century. None of us have the wide-rangi

Power in Community Across history, many schools of thought converged on this singular truth: none of us can flourish on our own. But our cultural narrative continues to romanticize the lone hero.

“Adults” are supposed to be independent, though of course no person actually is. We all rely on the hard work and social-emotional support of dozens of people every single day. You’re only seen as less adult, and supposedly less of a person,[3] if you need help in ways that disrupt the illusions of self-sufficiency.