In our world, we seek freedom, but from what? Many look solely to the overt tyranny of oppressive governments to blame for the lack of freedom. Then others see all governments as the source of the loss of freedom. However, I see a different cause for the loss of freedom: the narrow-minded outlook of human societies.
We humans thrive on societies, the structure formed by human interactions. However, inevitably in our societies, we believe some objects, things, or traits are more valuable than others. Therefore, we, as members of the society, seek to shape ourselves to society's ideals, rather than follow our own. This is a slavery like no other. Not a slavery of movement, nor a slavery of labor. It is the slavery of our selves.
Now, we are faced with choices, the two primary ones being: follow who we are, and follow what society thinks we should be. Following what society thinks we should be has one major disadvantage: it restricts us to society.
The structures put on things by society are enormously complex. “You may lie against the arm of the couch, but not sit on it. You must never use certain words in polite company. You can not put your elbows on the table, but you can put your saliva-ridden fork on it.” These are the petty examples, while some more important ones include: “Success is equivalent to money. If you lack money you lack success, and success is all-important. Therefore, money is all-important.”
We cannot limit ourselves to what society dictates for us. If I desire to die poor and lonely, then I would think myself successful should I do it! Should I seek to die among friends who will inherit everything I own, then I will be successful should I do it! My goals define me, and changing my goals for the benefit of society changes me. I do not wish to live by the standard for American society: minivan, safe job, wife, 2.5 kids, a house in the suburbs. I wish to live by my standard: itinerant, medical practitioner
in dangerous areas, and no children. Maybe my standard sounds unhappy to you, so here's the beauty of it: you don't have to live by it. You can live by your standards. Define them, and live by them. Do not fault somebody else for following their standards so long as they do not impinge upon somebody else following their own standards. Then we shall be truly free.
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