However, understanding our time can help us. When you come to see how contemporary anthropology shapes our desires, forms our society, and drives us to depression and despair, you are better able to resist its influence. There is tremendous power in the ability to rightly name things and calling the Responsibilities of Self-Belonging what they are—a lie—can be a great source of comfort. The burden to be someone, to live life to the fullest, to endlessly iterate and optimize and compete—when we observe these for what they are, it takes some of their power away.
