The more individually … and selfishly … motivated our public figures become, the less good they will do for the public at large and the more good they will do for themselves. And with everyone in society moving in the same direction—devoting more and more of our “public selves” to pursuing our own private interests, life will not reward you in the way it should. 

  French historian Alexis de Tocqueville, in his book, Democracy in America, warned that “the virtues of public life” could be destroyed by American’s growing sense of individualism, because “in the long run it attacks and destroys all others and is at length absorbed in downright selfishness.”   Physical attractiveness—slowly but surely—began to trump the virtues of talent. To be truly independent, as we all now see ourselves to be, one must stand above or separate from others in some recognizable way. And what’s more easily recognizable than a beautiful face and figure? No one can see your brilliant mind or well-developed character in a photo.   Be honest, be genuine. And be who you really are. Listen and learn. Listen to The Middle Edges.