The second retreat sounds like a great idea! I especially resonate with the ideas of people who are incapable of "coping" only have the choice of leaving or changing the world. That turned on a light in my mind of what makes me think of leaving the world, believing there's nothing I can do to usefully change it... it's tiring always swimming against the general current of society. Also the barometer species allusion. I love finding posts that put intangible ideas into words. And the last sentence is so true: "There is no other way to live than to follow the current of your own river." ??