Refugees from the anthill

I have just made the startling discovery that many people view themselves as integrally part of society, and not really separate from it at all.

Now, I realize that this will not be a shocking revelation for most, but I had simply never considered that most people do not view themselves as being inherently outside of society, a participant in instance only, not an inseparable member.

I had this epiphany watching ants, trying to imagine myself as one. An ant cannot survive as an individual, and ultimately neither can humans. So, as an ant, I would interact and participate in whatever ways met my needs, and allowed for my continued participation, but would also pursue my own, separate agenda. But I could not live in this way were it not for the other ants, dutifully following orders from the queen, so I realized that essentially that made my ant counterpart a symbiont at best, parasite at worst.

And so it is with me. I interact with society as meets my needs, and I contribute as I desire, but view myself as essentially separate - A refugee from the anthill.

I realize that this paradigm has its dangers -it is essentially sociopathic in nature. I think that if one were to study criminals, politicians, and leaders in business and industry, one would find a high occurrence of this or a similar worldview.

hmmm. food for thought.

If there are any other refugees from the anthill out there, I'd like to hear your views on the subject, so please comment.