I found a question I had written in my notes that never made it to the forum. I am interested in what you may think.

If the book is to be taken literally, the story of the takers and leavers will never meet- Will they ever parallel? Takers will never be leavers, but will they ever become less takerish?
AND would it take a "natural" disaster for this transition to take place, or will the takers blame it on nature rather than the consequence of what they've, (we've), done?

As I was reading back through the posts I saw that your questions was still unanswered. I don't have an answer or really even a good opinion as I don't think I really understood this book the same way everyone else did. But I would agree that they would never change their ways... possibly even if a natural disaster came through. )

I am not sure that I understand your question, but I will try to answer what I think you are asking. I believe that the story of the takers and leavers already exists in Ishmael. I am not sure what you mean by parallel? As far as the part about takers becoming less takerish or becoming leavers I have to hope that those two outcomes are possible. If neither were possible, then I don’t know what Ishmael would have attempted his teachings. The book seems to stand as evidence that human beings have the capacity to learn. Ishmael’s students can learn and we can learn right along with them. Learning and awareness seem to be the first steps toward change.