It's a foreign concept to believe that neighbors would help you without seeking compensation. In the American city, you'd be thankful if they cleaned up the filth in front of their houses, let alone help you clean a playground or plant a tree.

I picked up a book called Hagakure the other day. In essence, it's the notes of a distinguished and wise scholar-samurai. I've only began reading it, but something to the effect of "The calculating man will always lose when they think too much" My neighbors sit around and wonder what cleaning and helping others will do for them. They weigh the costs and benefits and ultimately pick the logical decision to spend their time as they please, instead of jumping up and joining in on a unpredictable adventure to break the repetitive days with physical and mental satisfaction.