This is an excellent contribution to the topics of humanism and meaning in modern life. Whatever one believes, reading this will be a brirsk wake up call to think about where meaning arises in their lives. I have some trouble with the word "aesthetic" as the driving perspective in human value. I do not think of other people the way I think of a painting or a song that I love. There is a dignity and a higher value that demands more of me than simply flows from what I like or dislike when it comes to other people. Where this ultimately comes from is something I wrestle with. Nonetheless, I believe strongly in the dignity of others, where ever it comes from, so I approach this from a stand point of humility. Only in doing so do we raise ourselves up to the peace and joy that is possible for humans.