The human heart and soul, EEE notes a loss in, began with our hunter- gatherer ancestors when three or four familiies formed small communities, each person of which felt a part of, contributed to and received from others members with whom they felt a connection.

It is that feeling of belonging, that sense of community that those who become addicted to dangerous drugs, either prescription or no, have lost, especially the unemployed who no longer are able to contribute, some not even able to support their family, the first community formed by man.

It is useful to consider the polls that tell us which peoples are most happy. It is those who form close communities, who observe every day, The Social contract which forms goverment--that community for all-- through which basic needs are cared for, mainly health and education, where the division between the rich and poor and the difference in wages for the CEO and janitor are reasonable.

Looking closely, one might consider our country diseased, that those who suffer the most from it, no job, lack of education or training, along with health problems, feel the most alienated, seek refuge in drugs, and too often die, are its symptoms. It's hard to say they create their own "void."

And, of course, drug companies and the 20th century doctors they lobby, treat symptoms, not causes. I guess, in this case, it's not their job; we need politicians who seek to improve conditions. Trump waves a wild hand. (Maybe the Parkland young people are a start.)

Adding to the unemployed are the technology addicts, who not only seldom see their correspondents, but often fail to "see" members of their own family in the same room.: community connection breaking down at every level. They don't realize that the human being's physical and emotional apparatus hasn't evolved much from that bequeathed to us by our hunter- gatherer ancestors, for whom community was face to face. Electronic connections just aren't the same

Cheever's quote, especially that which says: We seem tragically unable to help one another, to understand one another. The condition he saw then has been exacerbated by, ironically, smart phones.

We need to find a path for ourselves. It begins with good diet, regular exercise, low stress levels, and social contact. My path began with the book "Aerobic" in 1968. I wish all of you well.

Finally:

Frances Moore Lappe "Community – meaning for me 'nurturing human connection' — is our survival. We humans wither outside of community. It isn’t a luxury, a nice thing; community is essential to our well being."

Weather change and potential trade wars whisper to us that our community includes global.