Calibrating Our Sense of Freedom
A Reflection on Security, Expression, and Evolving Liberties
Freedom, in its quintessence, encapsulates the liberty to think, act, and pursue life's endeavors without undue restraint. It encompasses the right to critique authority and live without oppressive, tyrannical dictates. This conceptualization of freedom is not merely academic; it finds resonance in real-world scenarios, often exemplified by public figures who can voice dissent openly without fear of legal retribution. For all its criticisms, both due and undue, the USA upholds this fundamental empowerment right down to where it matters, as I’m about to paint a picture below.
Elon Musk publicly criticized the media and other powerful CEOs for ostensibly blackmailing his company (X) with the threat of revoking advertisements and advertisement revenue. Despite the media's disapproval of this incident, the public celebrated Musk's criticism, believing that freedom of speech allowed citizens to criticize influential individuals. This incident piqued my interest and highlighted a commitment to protecting the right to free speech, contrasting countries where criticizing those in power can have severe legal and social consequences. Granted, he is a powerful, influential figure in American culture, but this isn’t an isolated anecdote. I often see ordinary people expressing their dissatisfaction with government officials by displaying inflammatory banners on their porches or criticizing influential figures in video podcasts. Although their opinions are not always taken seriously, the fact remains that they have the right to express their grievances - something I dare say I witness in my dear country of India!
There is a lot of debate around the concept of freedom - as there should be! A phrase uttered by thinkers recently in America that has troubled me is, "People want security, not freedom" and has led me to think deeply about what freedom means. At a personal level, Freedom was sold to me as a precious value that was won by the Indian freedom struggle movement against the British Raj. However, after more than seven decades of “Independence,” I have realized that our freedom is primarily political, not the unfettered freedom to criticize authority or powerful institutions, speak out against authoritative bureaucracies, etc. This, by the way, is explained away by straw-manning the necessity for absolute freedom of speech - if everybody spoke up, then wouldn’t the terrorists on our borders conspire and weaponize it against us? Do we see a problem with this strawman? How often do scams and scandals rock our nation perpetrated by our politician brothers and sisters? How often do we witness corruption at all levels of our bureaucratic apparatus, including those who administer death certificates to us citizens (moral bankruptcy, anybody)? A Wikipedia page was dedicated to capturing mega-scandals over the last few decades since independence. I hope it gives us pause on our dearest assumptions about the state of affairs.
India ranks in the bottom 10% of countries in press freedom - an essential and bedrock ingredient of a thriving democracy and rational public discourse. Why isn’t this ranking challenged or discussed publicly? Why aren’t we concerned about this rating and hold our authorities accountable - even if it was a manufactured rating designed to soil our reputation (as some claim it is)? In my opinion, this very dysfunctional system has led to the rise of many OG influencers, aka Spiritual Gurus, Godmen, Quacks, and Subpar Ideas circulating in our societies.
These are not just damaging to our material economy but a whack at our morale and happiness in the big picture - how often have we witnessed a Godman offer extremely parochial and simplistic advice to somewhat of a complicated issue such as marital strife? The masses often consume these claims uncritically because they come from enlightened persons of God - but we find out repeatedly that these Godmen often have troubling skeletons in their closets. I am not advocating against godmen or spiritual gurus. On the contrary, we should take all the knowledge and information they’ve acquired, test it through our intellectually rigorous apparatus, and then live fulfilled lives!
Anyway, I’ve strayed from my post's central theme - freedoms - the freedom to think, challenge, act, and speak out.
The narrative of freedom in America is a testament to the nation's foundational rebellion against European monarchies and aristocracies. The Constitution, with its provisions for free expression, directly responded to the desire to escape oppressive regimes. This ethos of questioning authority catalyzed significant societal shifts, from the outrage against the Vietnam War to the revelations by whistleblowers like Edward Snowden (although his destiny seems a bit more tenuous given the fine line between whistleblowing and exposing state secrets), highlighting the indispensable role of free speech in fostering a conscientious society.
As an immigrant, the dichotomy between freedom's theoretical and practical manifestations becomes starkly apparent. The American promise of liberty, allowing individuals to challenge authority and express dissent, contrasts with the realities in places like India, where freedom, especially the freedom of expression, is increasingly getting curtailed - A UAPA umbrella (Unlawful Activities Prevention Act) allegation could be slapped on anybody on very loose grounds. This diminishing space for dissent underscores the need for continuous vigilance and amendment of freedoms to ensure they serve the common good.
The discourse on freedom, particularly in the Indian context, underscores the necessity of venerating freedoms and critically examining and expanding them. As we navigate the complexities of a pluralistic society, the commitment to continuously refine our liberties remains paramount. The ability to question, challenge, and speak freely defines our society and acts as the very mechanism through which we can aspire to a more just, equitable, and truly accessible world.
In conclusion, I want to draw an analogy from my Engineering days, particularly in Control Systems. Society (just like physical systems) functions optimally when it has feedback mechanisms—like a free press—to question, critique, cause course adjustments, and foster collective reasoning. This "servo mechanism" ensures that society remains aligned with its values of true freedom, prosperity, and self-actualization. Without it, the most powerful voices dominate the discourse, sidelining the essential corrective feedback that fosters justice and equity.
#Freedom #Democracy #FreeSpeech #Society #Liberty #Justice #ImmigrantPerspective #America