As humans we are naturally social. From birth, we depend on others for survival, learning, love, and even to figure out who we are. No one grows up in a vacuum, and communities give us the environment we need to develop and thrive as individuals.

Being part of a strong community means you’re not alone when things get tough. Whether it’s a laugh during a hard time, a helping hand with finances, or just someone to talk to. Having people around you makes life more manageable. Looking back at my life, my favorite memories are around my people. My family on a camping trip, or my roommates laughing on our balcony. To me those memories highlight my life.

When people come together, they can do so much more than they ever could alone. Think about major social changes or big scientific breakthroughs, most of those didn’t happen because of one person working solo. They came from teamwork, shared ideas, and people supporting each other toward a bigger goal.

Communities also help us stay grounded. They create a shared set of values and expectations that guide how we treat one another. Without that, too much focus on individuality can sometimes lead to selfishness or even harm, especially when there’s no one to hold people accountable.

Capitalism, at its core, is built around competition, profit, and individual success. It rewards people and companies for focusing on their own gain, often without much concern for how their actions affect others. While this can drive innovation and economic growth, it can also create division, inequality, and a mindset of “everyone for themselves.”

In a capitalist system, people are often encouraged to think of others as competitors, not as members of a shared community. Success is usually measured in money, not in how well people support each other or take care of the environment. This kind of thinking can weaken social bonds and make it harder for communities to stay connected and look out for one another.

Capitalism also tends to put essential needs, like healthcare, housing, and education, behind a paywall. This creates a system where some people thrive while others struggle to survive, not because of lack of effort, but because the system itself is built to favor profit over people. When basic needs depend on how much money someone has, it undermines the idea of fairness and shared responsibility that strong communities rely on.

In the end, while capitalism may reward individual effort and drive progress in certain ways, it often does so at the cost of our collective well-being. To build a healthier, more just society, we need to prioritize connection over competition, and care over profit. Communities thrive when people feel seen, supported, and valued, not just as workers or consumers, but as human beings. I want a future where everyone has the chance to grow and belong, we have to rethink the systems we live in and put people back at the center of our values.