Free Hugs

Like many, my Fourth of July celebrations included reflecting on the ideals of liberty, opportunity, and self-government that bind us together as Americans. Inevitably, these reflections led me to lament the political disagreements that appear to have become more personal and extreme. Social media often rewards negativity and serves to amplify our differences, even creating a sense that our neighbors occupy entirely different and opposite versions of reality.

Decades ago, famed investor Charlie Munger cautioned against strong ideological allegiances. His concern was not conviction itself, but the way strong ideology can lock the mind into rigid patterns and distort judgment. Heavy ideology is one of the most reliable ways to degrade thinking over time. Excessive certainty inhibits judgment and limits the acquisition of wisdom.

Munger believed that it is possible to be firmly committed to accuracy, diligence, and objectivity. The problem arises when confidence turns into certainty about complex systems and the belief that a particular intervention will clearly do more good than harm. The more complex the problem, the more intellectual humility matters.

In Tribe, author Sebastian Junger thoughtfully discusses that humans are adaptively wired for community and interpersonal connection. Across history, people have drawn meaning, fulfillment, and resilience from being part of something larger than themselves, from belonging. Paradoxically, he argues, while modern wealth and convenience have made life safer and more comfortable, they have also introduced a quiet form of isolation. As daily life has become more individual and digital, the role of face-to-face community has steadily weakened along with trust in legacy institutions.

Junger highlights the theory that autonomy, competence, and community are three pillars of well-being. We tend to focus heavily on the first two while underweighting the third. Yet community often gives the other two their meaning. This sense of unity is essential to our well-being.

On that note, New York recently experienced something it had been waiting decades for, a championship for the Knicks. The city was filled with people embracing complete strangers and celebrating alongside neighbors they had never met. Similar scenes unfolded this week across the country after the U.S. defeated Bosnia in the knockout round of the World Cup. Fan zones for other games also erupted with celebration, with people gathering in bars, parks, and public areas to share cheer and fellowship with their opposition. Sports can offer a quick and easy way to participate in something larger than ourselves, but they are hardly the only venue. Collective experience and shared public meaning are deeply valuable to us all.

Perhaps one of the most important acts of patriotism is simply to participate. Attend the neighborhood gathering. Go to the ballgame or house of worship. Volunteer. Join a civic organization. Invite someone over for dinner and spend time in the real world. Part of what has allowed the country to endure is a willingness to continue the conversation, even when we disagree. Let us celebrate not only our milestone of freedom, but also the communities and relationships that give that freedom meaning.

Aaron Jeffries