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Christina Hernandez

Ms. Turner

AP Lang/ Comp 2B

10 February 2010

The Truth About Common Life

        Our world exists and operates with a complete sense of balance. Trees flourish around the globe providing the entire human race with oxygen to breathe, while humans immediately return the favor with carbon dioxide, which trees need to survive. What one does not need seems to be essential to another, causing effortless stability.  The balance of life continues even in common communities everywhere. Scott Russell, the author of “The Common Life,” believes “dwelling in a web of relationships” is a necessity and “essential to our humanity.” Though Russell seems to provide some qualifications to his bold statement, the idea is farfetched and a bit naïve. I disagree that a society can not function with people “who care about no one’s needs but their own;” I believe individuality and uniqueness are essential components to the healthy development and smooth flow of communities, and attempting to conform all people to act in a manner that mirrors each others’ eliminates all chance for this. Without these characteristics there would be no balance.

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        Russell compares people who “withdraw” socially from society as being selfish. The author believes the community will “eventually break down” if the proportions of such people significantly increase. What characteristics about these people make them at all selfish? The fact that they are different from the majority or is it because they enjoy living life without constant recognition? The ones demanding their attention reflect more selfish qualities for not allowing the individuals the respect and dignity of being who they are.  A community can become “vulnerable” for a massive number of reasons; most of which are entirely more threatening than ...

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