Letters to a Young Contrarian 14 & 15

          Chapter 14 discusses a theme that will always be relevant to society; the power of the masses in relation to the influence of the individual. There are two quotes that reveal this theme, the first being on page 95. Hitchens states, "Those who need or want to think for themselves will always be a minority". This represents the relationship between the individual and the entire population. The majority is formed based on a common similarity between most of the people; whether it be a common race, a common belief, or a common social class. In terms of beliefs and ideas, the majority is formed when most of the people think the same thing. Most of the time people either don't agree with the majority or they have no opinion, but in order to fit in and feel like they belong, they will pretend to agree with the masses. This leaves those who chose to create their own path and say what they really think to be the minority. 
          Another quote that relates to this is on page 96: "People have a need for reassurance and belonging". This reinforces my statement that people often follow the crowd regardless of their own beliefs. People are willing to be fooled by common beliefs. Even if a person doubts what the masses believe, they would rather feel comfortable than enlightened and express what they truly think.
          I found a passage in Chapter 15 that resonated with me on page 111: "I don't seem to have said enough about the compensating or positive element of exposure to travel. Just as you discover that stupidity and cruelty are the same everywhere, you find that the essential elements of humanism are the same everywhere, too". This chapter consists of Hitchens discussing the importance of traveling the world and experiencing new cultures. But regardless of where you are in the world, humans are all the same. Obviously we have different physical appearances and different mannerisms and habits based on our cultures, but the underlying fabrics of our beings are all the same. It is fascinating to think that someone who is thousands of miles away might being feeling the same emotions you are right now. Certain aspects of human life are present in everyone, such as personality traits and emotions. It just shows how we are all connected no matter what is going on around us.