The Illusion of Freedom

[Mixmaster <mixmaster@remail.obscura.com>]

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Kent Crispin wrote:
>On Thu, Nov 13, 1997 at 05:59:51AM -0000, [Nerthus] wrote:
>[...]
>> 
>> "I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, 
>> or give me death." -- Patrick Henry
>> 
>> What is life without liberty?  Abject slavery.  Any sane man would rather
>> die than be a slave.
>
>It makes nice rhetoric, but this is simply not true, you know.  Most 
>people correctly evaluate that you have no chance for freedom at all 
>if you commit suicide, whereas a slave *does* have a chance.

Assuming he recognizes that he *is* a slave.  Most people are oblivious
to this fact.

>But of course we know from game theory that being completely
>predictable can be a weakness.  So having a certain percentage of the
>population who will behave irrationally is probably necessary for the
>health of a society.  But if too many people act irrationally, 
>society will disintegrate.  (By "irrational" here I am referring to 
>behaviour clearly contrary to your own survival.)

'Tis true.  War is a perfect example of what happens when too many
people act irrationally.

I'm interested in avoiding war without becoming a slave in the process.
Anyone else?

Nerthus

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