Western culture often sells the myth of the lone hero—an ego-driven champion carving out independence and stacking up trophies. Alan Watts flips that script, arguing this version of self is a handy illusion. Like a hamster on a wheel, modern life keeps people chasing one achievement after another, mistaking motion for progress. Companies still preach that autonomy means having your own corner office, yet everyone remains tethered to unseen strings: social expectations, economic forces, even the algorithms curating every feed on TikTok or Instagram.

Watts borrows from Eastern teachings to show that “ego” in the Western sense is less a solid entity and more a convenient story. Imagine thinking a single drop of rain could claim credit for nourishing a forest. In reality, each drop is inseparable from clouds, soil, sun and air—just as personal identity entwines with the wider universe. Clinging to the idea of total self-reliance overlooks how deeply interdependent life really is.

That relentless pursuit of personal achievement often leads to burnout. Today’s hustle culture and “quiet quitting” trends illustrate collective exhaustion over the rat race. When success is defined by tallying promotions or followers, the joy of simply being gets lost. Watts warns against mistaking roles—parent, CEO, influencer—for the essence of who someone truly is. Those titles change, but the underlying awareness remains constant.

Choosing to step off the conveyor belt means recognizing that autonomy isn’t about total separation, but about embracing shared existence. Stripping away the “I” that demands to be the center of attention reveals a more fluid, less stressful way to move through life. In this light, personal achievement shifts from ego-boosting feats to moments of genuine connection—whether that’s helping a neighbor during a heatwave or finding stillness in a morning meditation session via Headspace. The trick isn’t to build a higher tower of accomplishments, but to notice how everyone already stands on the same ground.