Someone who creates meaning for their lives doesn't simply adopt common meanings. They observe their place in the world by removing themselves from their historical prejudices and local attachments to judge the people within a given situation based on the degree of their humane commitment.

Of course it's impossible to do that completely because nobody can fully divorce themselves from their own prejudices and attachments. So it's a struggle.

On the other hand, most people lean into their prejudices and attachments. Many others are even unaware of them. They just adopt what they see others doing. So, if your friends like white supremacy, you will too. Or, to hit closer to home, haha, if your friends like ruby-on-rails, you will too ;)