Hi Luke! Thanks for sharing a little glimpse of a beautiful setting and what sounds like a valuable experience.

Interesting perspective you hold, and a popular one I'm sure. I disagree on some points which will be a way juicier conversation than just nodding along, so here we are:

To say that hierarchy holds us back is disempowering in and of itself.
Hierarchy exists. It's natural - there is biological diversity, there is a food chain, there is survival of the fittest. Hierarchy exists as much as gravity does.
To fight it, blame it, judge it, resist it is to create the conflict. Without that reaction to nature, there is no conflict.

Some people are better at this or that, some people are worse at this or that. Sure, we all have potential and we all have value and in many ways we're the same, but we're not all equal. IMO, this idea that we should pretend like we are all equal keeps humans limited and weak.

A functional organization puts the right person in the right position to perform responsibilities most efficiently and effectively - it acknowledges, accepts, honors, and celebrates our differences! Some people are better suited to be leaders, and some people are better suited to wash dishes - a functional organization puts each one in the right place for them to shine their brightest. Both people are important and add value to the whole, but let's be real about who carries more responsibility and stop pretending like equality is the ultimate measure of freedom!