Yes, and that raises the question: by what mechanisms do we change our habits?

I like an idea mentioned by James Clear (author of the "Atomic Habits" book) that each action we take is a "vote" towards establishing or breaking a habit.

There are connections between this notion and neurochemistry, such as Hebbian learning.

One important mechanism for changing habits is to join a community of people who are practicing the habits you wish to practice. A thoughtful, intentional choice of whom to associate with is one of the most powerful forms of agency we possess.

Zooming out a bit, local communities of people who practice virtuous habits are an indispensable cornerstone of society, for by them we gain agency to desire and do what is virtuous.

> Zooming out a bit, local communities of people who practice virtuous habits are an indispensable cornerstone of society

That's a pretty big claim, and I'm the kind of person that tends to challenge almost everything ... but heck, I have to admit that I largely agree. Well said.

I've lived many places, and the lived experience in some particular places, in some particular ways, just works better. It often has to do with most people being both trusting and trustworthy.

I would add that _locality_ isn't only about spatial dimensions. Some online communities have high degrees of locality, in a sense.

> for by them we gain agency to desire and do what is virtuous.

Again, at first I was going to push back on how you used 'agency' here, but I think I see what you probably mean: being in a better environment _helps_ an individual to choose from a better set of options, allowing them to be the best version of themself.

Sure, but what motivates that change in habits? Does it spontaneously arise? Does is trace back to some other event? Neither of these illustrate a degree of freedom.