I find that western culture emphasizes the importance of agency at the expense of community. Kung fu panda, and most animated movies are good examples of where we see agency exalted as a desirable trait, and acts of rebellion are portrayed as “brave.” While rebellion is a necessary part of growing up, it is merely a manifestation of becoming comfortable with one’s agency in the world and nothing more.

The article explains why kung fu panda is a great movie by starting with a quote highlighting the pandas desire to break away from expectations to pursue his passion. By the end of the article, there’s a quote about illusion of control. It’s contradictory, and ultimately I think we’re ingrained to favor sentiments of agency and discount any notion of loss-of-control which is a shame.

Societies are created by individual pursuits towards “happiness.” I submit that societies crumble because of the same forces. By prioritizing individualistic endeavors, and cherishing agency, we fail to account for the need to compromise, and collaborate to fulfill societal duties (whatever those may be in any given time)