THUNDER BAY — Ava I. Penney began to form a social theory when she was in her Grade 11 anthropology class.
Now, the 19-year-old has a published 10,000-word essay, which is in book form, about a phenomenon that can affect anybody — Social Erosion.
“It's about people, it's about society, it's about sociology, it's about life, basically. I think that it applies to everybody. Anyone's prone to it,” she said.
The book begins with the line, ‘what if you were told that your sense of self was being destroyed?’
“To give a summary on the social erosion theory, it's basically when people begin to lose their senses of self when they're in group settings. It is similar to the deindividuation theory and psychology, however, it's more long term, it goes back, in my opinion, to our primitive ancestors," she said.
Penney argues there is evidence of social erosion around the last ice age about 12,000 years ago.
"Humans began to lose their self-reliance because of the increasing number of civilizations in the world," she said.
“It's mainly about losing your sense of self when there's so much noise around you.”
Deciding to write a book was really daunting, Penney said.
“It was like, there's this long road ahead of me.”
Penney said the book is for all ages, all audiences and is applicable to everyone.
“I wanted to be a writer and have a book published since I was 12 years old. It's always been a dream of mine.”
She said it feels very refreshing to have her first book published.
“It's like a weight taken off my shoulders. It feels like I have a reason and a purpose to serve society at large.
“I feel like I'm making a difference in the world,” she said.
Penney found a local editor in Thunder Bay.
“We're really good friends today. I actually cited various thinkers and philosophers and psychologists to help back up my point, given that I'm only high school educated, she helped me make my book as presentable as possible.
“She said that compared to a lot of her adult clients I'm very well written, I'm really well spoken,” Penney said.
She had a book launch at the Arthur Street Marketplace, and her book sold out.
“I just want to thank everyone in Thunder Bay who always believed that I could be something. I would like to thank everyone – teachers, co-workers, family, friends and strangers who helped me have my first sold out book signing last week.
“Just a big massive thank you,” Penney said.
Social Erosion Is available at Entershine Bookshop and Amazon.
