Reading It

Badge tells Rollo he needs a lanyard. Rollo asks what for. Badge says: 'To prove you belong.' Rollo answers honestly: 'I don't belong.' The lanyard is an identity artifact for a community Rollo never joined -- but Inside doesn't care about belonging. It cares about proof of belonging. You've worn a badge that granted access to a building where you felt like a stranger every day.

Deeper Read

Belonging is an experience. Proof of belonging is a credential. The system only recognizes the second one.