So many thoughts in reply to you Scott!
Not least that need to feel part of something – to contribute to the world – be seen and heard by the world.
No wonder that those we exclude fight back so fiercely!!
For me – first in family to go to university blah blah … still did not really get it – whatever it was… then had the mad idea with my partner to make a feature film (!!) – and we did – could not sell it (it was quite bad) – went broke – got homeless – BUT – oh finally felt in the world. And though we lost everything – have no regrets whatsoever!!