Have to say this: don't put too much emphasis on the word "society". What you don't know about "society" would amaze you. Having lived a good bit longer than most of you, I've seen "society" and its changes, its unbelievable inability to be rational about some things, and its weak and strong qualities. Believe me, those are both there and a lot of pretension, as well, among some of the more authoritarian ones. Look for tyranny among a few, and see the compassion and helfulness of most of those who regard "society" as their "thing".

Most of its most beneficial qualities are those of efforts to keep the positive view uppermost and to cover up or hide the human "mistakes" of life.

I prefer the open honesty and integrity of people of deeper thought and greater compassion and thoughtfulness.

"Society" isn't really what many have a conception of its being, frankly, though its positive contributions to life are admirable when they are being done without with the desire to have individual rank and recognition.

I guess I've just seen too much in life.

As a human being, Dubblemonkey, you've got more understanding of human nature than many, many others of any degree of "social standing".