Is there really any way to be free?

[Faronnia]

Humans with no rules are just like a herd of sheep.

Hum, I actually think its the very opposite. Just my opinion. baaaah.

It's not a struggle. I am aware of my freedoms, and my restrictions and, for the most part, I accept them. The times I don't are when I can see that a large proportion of people are unhappy with the freedoms afforded to us, or to others. At that point I join with them protest. Because I have a legal rite (or freedom) to do so.

Here's an example of a freedom no-longer afforded the richest man in the world. A slave of the Roman Empire was usually free to kill another man, provided he was prepared to pay that mans's owner for his cost, if the victim was also a slave.

Here's an example of a freedom most of us are not happy about. Banks are free to loose the money we loan them and charge us for that, while at the same time charging us for money they lone us, even if we use that loan responsibly.

I'll offer another. Companies holding Genetic Patents can take legal ownership of your neighbours crops if you buy their seed stock and it cross-pollinates with his crops while he had not entered into any contract with them.

More generally, the cost of freedom is responsibility. Each society decides what freedoms it wants to take responsibility for. The United States created a constitution to preserve certain freedoms for it's people against all future legislation, and there are many benefits to that. However, it also restricts their ability to quickly adapt their legislation should the population demand it. And even that is an implied "freedom from change" or "freedom of continuity across leadership" which nations like mine (with no written constitution) do not have.

Thanks for the reply, enjoyed your answer, very true

[bobsobol]

Humans with no rules are just like a herd of sheep.

Here, I agree with KingLordMaster. Humans living under undue oppression are like a herd of sheep.

My wife and I obey the rules laid down by our opposite in order to find companionship. That is the responsibility of that freedom. A player would not accept the restriction of devoting them self to one partner, for example, in return for knowing that person is always there for them. Total freedom would, for most of us, require you to be the last human alive, and you would still not be free to hold a conversation, or share a kiss.

Most of the freedoms our societies have ring-fenced for us were won through civil disobedience or out-right rebellion. And while the ultimate freedom of expression is complete anarchy, most of us remain too greatly attached to social activities to sacrifice community for that.

Thinking of "communities", here is a freedom: How would you like to see RaGEZONE without moderators, or even MentaL keeping control? How long would this community hold together, how would it flourish?

[Faronnia]

Without MentaL there would be no dirty porno forums, which would reduce ragezone's user visits and overall traffic by at least 50%.
...

[Justice For All]

Freedom is purely subjective. I want the freedom to drive at whatever speed i want, and pedophiles want the freedom to rape all the kids they can find. But eventually my freedom of speed will collide with someone's freedom to sleep in the middle of the road, and the pedo's freedom to rape kids will impede on the kid's freedom of not having a strange mans penis in their rectum. Like i said, if you give everyone freedom they will start ultimately start impeding on each others freedom and then rules and laws and governments will have to be formed which brings us right back to where we are.

/thread

[404]

Uhh yea, sure they can be. With enough money you can have absolutely anything you want in this world, there are people on this earth who are free to do whatever they want whenever they want wherever they want without consequence. But they don't. Just because they can do something but chose not to does not imply that they have lost that freedom.

What's your point?

[AncestraL]

freedom is the possibility to get up 1:00 pm every day, work as web design every day and earn 1k every month.

thanks.

[Retro!]

Maybe you should see how free you truly are compared to other countries.

[Rishwin]

freedom is the possibility to get up 1:00 pm every day, work as web design every day and earn 1k every month.

thanks.

Maybe you should see how free you truly are compared to other countries.

These, both of these.

First world people worry about having the freedom to do what they want when they want, without feeling like "the establishment" owns them or controls them. People who don't live in first world countries want the "freedom" of not having to worry about putting food on the table every night and knowing that they are healthy. This guy want $1k per month, i bet if half of you only had $1k per month you would all be homeless and not be able to pay your bills.

[Negata]

You can find freedom within yourself if you are able to overcome all your cravings and wants. A person who needs nothing is free from the physical.

The easiest way to get everything you want is not to work hard to get it but to want nothing. :)

[bobsobol]

You can find freedom within yourself if you are able to overcome all your cravings and wants. A person who needs nothing is free from the physical.

The easiest way to get everything you want is not to work hard to get it but to want nothing. :)

Deep. I like it, and it basically equates to my earlier statement that you can feel free just by not wanting anything more or less than what life readily provides you with.

If you want lush crops and never a day when it rains, or the freedom to fly like a bird without mechanical aids, you are always going to be disappointed. ;)

[404]

The easiest way to get everything you want is not to work hard to get it but to want nothing. :)

That makes no sense. So would I have to want nothing to get everything? Is that what you are saying?

[Danny]

The way I look at it, is you have to work hard get an education, get a good job and the reward is retirement.

[Daedius]

Are you paying taxes?

If yes, then you're not free... ;)

[Negata]

That makes no sense. So would I have to want nothing to get everything? Is that what you are saying?

Well how does it look? No, it's not what I'm saying. I don't mean it metaphorically or anything, it's all there.

Human beings tend to always want more and more regardless of what they already have. You can't satisfy this hunger by following your wants but rather by finding contentment in what you already have (and not clinging onto even that). The way I understand it, this is for part what the Buddhist discipline means with life being a suffering.

[cycoextreme]

my dad is now free, may he Rest In Peace

[cypher]

You are FREE to do as WE tell you, which part you didn't get?

[bobsobol]

You are FREE to do as WE tell you, which part you didn't get?

Sadly Patrick McGoohan died in 2009. I really want to hear him read that. Perhaps as part of his electoral campaign for the position of No. 2. XD "6 of one, half a dozen of the other. 6 for 2! 6 for 2! 6 for 2! Vote 6, and be a person!"