Um, I'd have to disagree here. I'd say it's extremely uncomfortable to hide your true self in the pursuit of fitting in. However, social acceptance is so valuable a resource that many people will go to extreme lengths to achieve it, regardless of how uncomfortable it makes them.
As far as pushing oneself to new limits... that's an internal commitment, not an external one. A mentor may be useful as a guide, but you know the old saying, "you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink." Try to push someone who's not ready to push him/herself, and they'll just push back.
I'm also puzzled about the "dirty politics" comment. Do you mean literal politics? Those that run the city, state, and federal government? Or do you mean "politics" as in social or school politics - how the popular kids treat the unpopular ones and that sort of thing?
One side I'm in agreement, and the other, we don't see eye to eye.
Living in the real world, I've seen a lot just like many on this board. I've seen the highs, the lows, and everything above, beneath, in front, and behind it all. I've seen the side to side too - basically an entire sphere worth.
Contray to popular social media and modern day times belief, not everyone tries to fit in. Some people really are content in their own skin. That was touched on in the book. Fitting in can be a positive uplifting resource, or it can be a parasite eating away at the good the world has to offer.
The dirty politics that I speak of in this instance is fear - fear that another may be more stronger, faster, smarter, adaptable, and sucessful than the next man or woman. Professor Crawford is a prime example in this instance.
EDIT: In addition, fitting in for some means not being true to themselves. For some, if that's who they are at heart, they will not be uncomfortable. For the followers or lemmings instead of the path carvers, the road is mostly a smooth and a
cobblestone free like ride.
However, the diversity in the world ensure we have the likes of all kinds. That's what makes it so great.