You're just Wrong, Godin

See?  I don't always agree with Seth Godin:

Self sufficiency appears to be a worthy goal, but it's now impossible if you want to actually get anything done.

All our productivity, leverage and insight comes from being part of a community, not apart from it.

(From Seth Godin's blog.)

Au contraire, chauve monsieur ... 

You have to do both.  You must be self-sufficient within the community to get anything done.  Rely on the community, sure, but rely on yourself first.  That's what makes you of value to the community: the ability to originate an idea, take action, and produce something without the permission, oversight or approval of others.  Having value to the community greatly enriches your ability to exchange leverage and insight with others.

If autarky were truly dead, that would mean all possible trails had been blazed.  Do you believe there are no further innovations to be had?  Tribes need leaders, n'est-ce pas?

The goal is to strike the right balance of self-sufficiency and community, stubbornness and generosity.  (That's also a problem we face in theatre.)