Part 13/16:
Brown reflects on the importance of narratives—both cultural and personal—that imbue life with meaning. He mourns our disconnection from awe-inspiring nature, such as the starry night sky, which once reminded humanity of its place in the cosmos. Light pollution and urbanization have severed many from these natural experiences, dulling our sense of wonder.
He emphasizes that traditional spiritualities once provided embodied journeys—rituals that connected the individual to the transcendent—something that contemporary society has altered or lost. Now, we seek temporary retreats—through psychotropics, entertainment, or superficial community—that lack the depth of ancient rites but still attempt to evoke that sense of universal connection.