Bill,

I completely agree with Anonymous and rosamundi. Bill, when you talk about contemporary humans, you’re talking about a specific group of people living right now in certain parts of the world, not the whole of humanity in the present world. Not having a cool career is very much of a first world problem: created in the first world and aimed at the first world. But the answer to that is not to turn 180 degrees and decide that one shouldn’t have any expectations. Rather, trying to put everything in perspective and finding what actually matters in life. Work is important, but careers are for impressing other people and all about the ego.

I’d also like to make another point, if you’ll allow me. Imagine two boys, both idolising Superman. They both want to be like him, saving the world and helping people. One of them spends his time dreaming about how great it would be to be Superman and how admired he would be by others. If only he could be like that, then his life would have a meaning. He would be someone. The other one also thinks that it would be so great to be like that and help people. So he starts helping people. He spends his time doing small things here and there, and he speaks of helping humanity with such zest that others become inspired by the boy as well. He does what he can to help and he never feels as if his life wouldn’t have a meaning. Meanwhile the other boy grows to be bitter. Nobody ever gave him the uniform and the cape, even though he really wanted to help people and be Superman. He had all the credentials to be one, but never got a chance and the recognition. The other boy didn’t wait for someone else to give permission and actually did become Superman, only without the uniform and the cape. Still recognised by other people as a helper and making a difference in the world.