Solitude?

In a modern world filled with internet and instant messaging, is there any where that solitude can be found? Improvements in transportation and communication have truly made the world smaller, privacy is becoming a thing of the past and solitude is disappearing. The only place that allows for true isolation is in the mind. The mind allows for thoughts and feelings to be truly expressed, outside distractions can be ignored and avoided. This is much easier said than done because to cleanse your mind from all the corruption and filth of the world requires a lot of focus and effort to block out these outer disruptions. If one can manage to clear their mind then their sanctuary is underway. Solitude can be found only in the thoughts and opinions and reflections that one makes, these can not be altered or revealed if one is determined to maintain their privacy. No matter the outside pressure, it is impossible to force someone to disclose their inner workings if they don't want to. The mind is the only place left in the world where solitude can be established and maintained. This relates to Metamorphosis in how as Gregor devolves his appearance may become unbearable, but his thoughts remain his own. Even alone in his room, the outer noise and family impress feelings and new ideas onto him, they even end in his death. If a bug can't even find solitude anywhere but in his own mind, what chance have the rest of us?

Crime and Punishment

Crime and Punishment relates to this question and different people relay their different views on the subject. People like Razumihin feel that man is generally good and feels that certain errors must be overlooked or else everyone is bad, and others like Rodya and Svidrigrailov seem much more pessimistic about mankind. Which do you think is more right in relation to the book and do you think this is also true for real life?

Is Humankind Inherently Good or Evil?

Long has the question been pondered of whether man is inherently good or evil. Is man born one or the other or does his environment nudge him towards a path one way or another? This question is even broken down to a religious level, with some saying man is evil and in need of a God, and others that man is able to control and better his own world. This question can be seen from many different angles, but in the end which is it, is man inherently good or is he evil?