Freedom vs. Force - The Individual and the State

Access 49+ membership videos (more added each month) ► academyofideas....
*Join via Paypal or Credit Card*
===
Get the transcript (and a gallery of the art work) ► academyofideas...
===
Podcast:
Subscribe to us on iTunes: podcasts.apple...
Subscribe to us on Spotify!
===
Follow us on Instagram!
/ academyofideas
===
Patreon ► / academyofideas
Bitcoin ► 1P6ntukFENP1nvEf4bJNj3tsDEuiSyUFW6
Paypal ► www.paypal.me/...
===
Sign up for our newsletter ► www.academyofideas.com/newsletter/
===
Some of the images used in this video are courtesy of www.stevecutts...

[@academyofideas]

Access 49+ membership videos (more added each month): academyofideas.com/members/ Thank you for the continued support.

[@gowithintogetout1542]

Is it ok if I share this content & talk about it in my videos?

[@academyofideas]

@@gowithintogetout1542 Yes please do.

[@NothingHumanisAlientoMe]

I'll buy a t-shirt when am less skint lad, amazing channel - Never stop making content.

[@fatpotatoe6039]

I love how subtle your channel's libertarianism is... slowly convincing people, I see. If they share the same values and dignified freedom-loving mindset, the rest is much easier for others and yourself to then argue.

[@Hoireabard]

G. K. Chesterton wrote, "Herbert Spencer really went as far as he could in the direction of Individualism, just as Karl Marx went as far as he could in the direction of Socialism. He left only the gallant and eccentric Auberon Herbert to go one step further; and practically propose that we should abolish the police; and merely insure ourselves against thieves and assassins, as against fire and accident.

[@charlesthedeadlifter4376]

"I'd rather die on my feet than live on my knees." Emiliano Zapata

[@Lewisevans1618]

Beautiful

[@vertiguin2]

I don’t have feet should I die ?

[@justinrunewicz7291]

"I bow to no man" - Riddick

[@methodicalmysticbutterflyi2669]

Amen!!!

[@TheTenthLeper]

¡Viva Zapatistas!

[@twinfrei]

"The welfare of the people in particular has always been the alibi of tyrants" I like that one

[@methodicalmysticbutterflyi2669]

Bam!

[@notbrad4873]

Isn't it also the reason of anyone, though? Tyrants always co-opt the right thing to say from the people who genuinely mean well. Like the whole 'pro-choice' argument is co-opted liberty (except they don't use the word liberty)

[@twinfrei]

@@notbrad4873 There is some truth to that also. Everybody needs the acceptence from the people in order the change something in a social environment. I guess you just have to arm yourself with a healthy amount of skepticism.

[@notbrad4873]

@@twinfrei see what they do, not what they say

[@moniquevamado]

That one struck me most as well.

[@davephilpott4543]

I just found this KZbinr and I am astounded how good it is! This should be required in all public and high schools. Unreal how far we've slid into tyranny.

[@benzun9600]

Used in Homeschooling. Public schools cannot teach these truths

[@debbiecooper3661]

Because Great Britain and Africa planned destruction of America. And to rise satan to be king of God's Kingdom. New world order brought to America to rise satan. Serpent rider bottomless pit king hidden behind Noah's cloak Obama. God is jealous God. Moses and Arrons family standing in America and 10 lost tribes. Who never free who is promised this land . Mark of the beast being passed out. Red dragon exodus at Mexico and Jerusalem America border . Serpent rider fixing to rise. GREAT CRIME HAS BEEN COMMITTED ON GOD'S KINGDOM.

[@debbiecooper3661]

All religions are treason and tyranny on God's Kingdom. When all religions from around the world gifted no mercy slave masters hands as 10 lost tribes. Opened lost tribes eyes . Be good to them because God said they was mean to them. And they are.

[@debbiecooper3661]

They fled your nations. Be Good to them. Branch off God . Everybody recognized but them .wow unbelievable

[@debbiecooper3661]

Mark of the beast. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qqe1fYaCYr6doJo

[@Dan-qk3mt]

I literally drop everything when the Academy drop a new vid. Best channel on KZbin.

[@PalmaPalmowa]

I’ve just discovered it and I’m pretty impressed!

[@g0dzilla_au]

Don't go holding any babies!

[@JD..........]

Top 10, and that’s saying something

[@andrelousada]

I agree!!!!

[@fatpotatoe6039]

Must have a messy house.

[@nicoleonfeels]

Freedom is an essential, not optional condition, for a prosperous society. 💯 🙌🏽

[@mitchellmeyer5303]

But isn’t it that very freedom that makes it impossible to obtain a prosperous society in the first place? Freedom is most always used by those who think only for themselves, hence its meaning: The power or right to act, think or speak as one wants. Thus, freedom is abused by those who wish only for themselves to prosper, not the society or the community. Understandably, a society without freedom is a prison that sacrifices liberty for security, thus making that very security redundant. Yet, without order, or rules to guide others, what would be the point in learning anything. Why bother learning, when you have the freedom to choose not to? Why bother helping others when you have the freedom to help yourself? It’s not a question of Order vs Freedom but of Moral Values.

[@nicoleonfeels]

Mitchell Meyer great point. Like all things in life, I think it requires a balance.

[@overseer3072]

Round and round we go.

[@overseer3072]

No new arguments here same cycle over and over again

[@bainmarch9322]

@@overseer3072 It will continue until the next generation comes and takes control again. It's plain as day now that we got to accept that we can't beat the elites.

[@mrwhitten7704]

Probably THE most important video and commentary of 2020!!!!

[@savvysista14]

Totally agree.

[@sean..L]

That is wrong.

[@altrimnell]

Read 'On Liberty' by John Stuart Mill' it is on this very subject and though 150 yrs old more relevant than most the current tripe out there.

[@ianalanneilgrant4626]

The illustrations are also illuminating!

[@elvisnarcisomedina9298]

@@sean..L you must be a cypher

[@lmn6440]

"I'd rather be a freeman in my grave than living as a puppet or a slave" Jimmy Cliff

[@kiwis.4228]

I am in the middle of an existential dread and I have to say your videos are helping me. It’s comforting to know that you are alive at the same time as me.

[@simonshaw5119]

Necessity of public safety is always the plea of governments for every infringement of human rights. The problem we have now is that people don't just accept the chains of their own enslavement, they demand them.

[@betacuck3145]

L E F T I S T S

[@ilovebutterstuff]

I hear the chants of the Left almost incessantly. They think they're chanting one thing but what they're really clamoring for is slavery. You hit the nail on the head, bub.

[@Lennis01]

Not just the leftists. Remember the Patriot Act. The enemies of freedom are everywhere, and wear more than one color.

[@falstmusic]

More people need to hear this. Society is showing itself too easily manipulated in this pandemic.

[@lostinmyworld5499]

Infact, agree

[@nupraptorthementalist3306]

The political psychosis was only exacerbated by the pandemic, and only insofar as it's being used for political purposes; it's not the pandemic. It came from University.

[@yootangclan]

Eris true, I had a couple do exactly that when I told them covid is a lie because Walmart never closed. They said it’s because Walmart has special ventilation systems that prevent covid and then called me a stupid conspiracy theorist.

[@stiqula]

@LIFTING THE VEIL Planned? Next you're going to tell me tornados and earthquakes are planned to eh?

[@Yunghamz]

'You can basically do anything you want as before, just wear this harmless mask if you're going indoors with other people' "OMG, THEY ARE TRYING TO CONTROL US. IT IS JUST LIKE CIA DECLASSIFIED STUFF!1!!!"

[@lyceumofphilosophy9392]

Yes, Freedom from tyranny is one of the things that people across all cultures commonly cherish, like gold, from the west to the east since ancient times. The biggest difference, however, between gold and freedom is that the price you pay to get freedom back is steeper than the price you receive when you first lost it

[@TheJester-ct5pi]

Why do you think people cherish freedom to begin with? Is it to remain an autonomous being who can chart their own path in life (relatively speaking), or is it to avoid responsibility, the suffering of existence, the ability to seek comfort and pleasure?

[@o0GrayMatters0o]

the comfort and security awarded at the exchange of a peoples sovereignty or self-governance is all but a fleeting illusion- it works this way all throughout the eschelon of the seen and unseen worlds as well. the saying, serve in heaven, or reign in hell, is a great example of the fallibility of this philosophy. arrogance begets destruction. pride before the fall. the only real solution is to remove corruptibility from the heart of man. i'm gonna go enjoy my vices to escape from that impossibility in the meantime.

[@josephzanes7334]

If a small bit of slavery is not evil, then neither is complete salvery

[@janeofthejungle4]

Pez - I like that! The “half sheep” thing. You’re correct. Most people aren’t stupid and are aware that they’re sheep, to some extent. Tbh I believe that this shut down has afforded many people the down time required to do a little more research in that area. I’ve even wondered if part of the waking up of people is what all this unrest all over the world, is really about, over all. I mean, we all know what’s going on but very few folks even know where to begin, to try and fix it.

[@sean..L]

Lyceum of Philosophy I do not cherish freedom from tyranny.

[@SlapShotRegatta22]

No hyperbole. The most important channel on youtube.

[@chris432t6]

Absolutely agree. Thank you.

[@cleareddirect7013]

Every American needs to watch this

[@vsupreme9386]

Price of freedom is constant vigilance.

[@mitchellmeyer5303]

And the price of constant vigilance is paranoia and fear. Thus tyrants rise to power to “quell” those fears. Then freedom brings these tyrants down but freedom must be monitored to ensure the tyrants don’t rise again, creating another tyrant. It all falls down to morals, not freedom or order but the consistent understanding of what is right and wrong. But then again, what do I know?

[@vsupreme9386]

@@mitchellmeyer5303 disagree. Constant vigilance isn't paranoia and fear. It's interaction and accountability. It's actually being aware what's going on around you. And morals are subjective not objective. Not a good starting place. Definitely a horrible ending place. People always assume they have the moral high ground. No one thinks they're evil. Every POS dictator, king or genocidal warlord all thought they had the moral high ground. Right and wrong are opinions, points of views. Not concrete facts.

[@falstmusic]

@@mitchellmeyer5303 loved it

[@o0GrayMatters0o]

@@vsupreme9386 liked and agreed with original post but strongly disagree with your reply to Mitchell. "No one thinks they're evil." You got a lot to learn my friend. "Right and wrong are opinions, points of views. Not concrete facts." Hahaha. WRONG. Inalienable RIGHTS granted by God are RIGHT. Concrete fact. Killing, stealing, lying, or otherwise encroaching upon another's boundaries of innocence and/or personal moral or ethical RIGHT to self-governance is WRONG. Concrete FACT.

[@o0GrayMatters0o]

@what his/her 70 likes/votes is the same illusion of power that allows every "POS" to argue against the truth rather than humble themselves to it.

[@chazzmccloud36]

Fauci was just on CNN where he told Anderson Cooper, regarding vaccine mandates; "I respect people's freedom, BUT when it comes to a public health crisis.... the time has come, enough is enough." I'm getting seriously tired of these daily erosions of our freedom under the guise of "public safety"!

[@chris432t6]

This channel is carrying the torch for truth and knowledge while also beautifully artistic at the same time. Love it!!🌝🌞

[@tiberio1352]

Amen.

[@FutureMindset]

There is nothing further removed from freedom than ignorance. The most powerful weapon in society is the education system. When you have the power to teach young, impressionable children with anything that you wish to do so, that becomes the most powerful tool in a society. If kids are taught how to think rather than what to think, society will prosper and freedom will reign in that society.

[@simonshaw5119]

I've said something similar for a long time. Get the yound developing brains, but first teach them to respect authority and don't ask questions. Sad times.....

[@ramonbril]

nicely said.

[@WowRixter]

You've so aptly described what's happened around the world during the COVID pandemic

[@elsanto8879]

“Beware of the scientific and technocratic elites”- Dwight Eisenhower, 1961

[@matildamarmaduke1096]

The same man that his Israel's attack on a unarmed reconnaissance ship off the coast of Egypt killing many US SOLDERS UNARMED ya whatever CK 4 ur self USS LIBERTY

[@elsanto8879]

@@matildamarmaduke1096 I think that was LBJ. It really doesn’t matter. All US presidents are war mongers that bow to Israel

[@matildamarmaduke1096]

@@elsanto8879 it would appear So. If we look deep really deep we see another "Empire who also used the same play book & Empire after Empire use it and Fail until a truly evil buch suck the life outta the earth and it's inhabitants. Most evil one left in power to long and corrupt the peoples minds as the are doing now.and they will keep coming keep pecking at our fears it is then & then is now B4 the can take us over we now know better we see the enemy and we have defeated him before. Once again we must clean house so to speak. It's out with the bad we all over the world HOLD FIRE UNTIL U SEE THE WHITES OF THEIR EYES. SAID ONE GENERAL LONG AGO..... ONCE AGAIN WE FIND OUR SELVES THERE. MAY THE GODS BE WITH US ALL.

[@marcdemell5976]

SCIENCE has no CON---SCIENCE, HalleluYAH!!!

[@spfcasual3786]

@@matildamarmaduke1096 lol delete your original post since it's wrong

[@StaRMaestroS]

True freedom is an ideal, an illusion. What we call "freedom" comes with massive burdens of responsibility. You have the responsibility of yourself, to take care of yourself, in a dangerous natural habitat. You have the responsibility to defend your freedom. You have the responsibility to respect the freedom of others. You have the responsibility to defend the freedom of others. The courage needed to be free is so intense and consuming that it's only natural for people to seek the comfort of obedience. Following instead of moving on their own. I will leave the immortal words engraved on the grave of a the great writer Nikos Kazantzakis. "I hope nothing, I fear nothing, I am free"

[@degla232]

I will start beleving in anarchy when everyone moves away from the emergancy ambulance.

[@jonathanadamson]

Your characterization of the environment as "dangerous" already sets people against themselves. It's no more dangerous than their own mind. Human beings emerged from nature and are part of nature. To go about organizing a society that is at war with nature in order to conquer and control it and take the spoils would just reset the clock on the very situation we now find ourselves in. Going to battle with nature IS going battle with ourselves. We need to extend our responsibility to the environment, and all the other beings who inhabit if social freedom is to ever be realized.

[@degla232]

@@jonathanadamson but isnt nature in itselfe dangrous ?

[@StaRMaestroS]

@@jonathanadamson Yes that is true. You however don't take under consideration self-awareness that is unique to humans. It's easy from the safety and comfort of your home to think about humanity as "part of nature", and think of "death by nature" as perfectly normal, and i sympathize with the thought and sentiment and i agree. But it doesn't take into account the feelings of self-preservation of the individual towards himself and his loved ones. It's those feelings founded on our self-awareness that make us susceptible to the allure of safety against a dangerous world, and make us vulnerable to limitations on our freedom.

[@jonathanadamson]

​@@StaRMaestroS Actions taken based on feelings of self-preservation are determined by the concept of self which one holds. If our concept of self included our environment rather than splitting it off as separate, it would produce a different set of actions. Those actions would include preservation of the environment as part of preservation of self. All I am saying is that this responsibility toward the environment is another thing to add to your list. Recognizing the risk inherent in embodiment (namely that it is a finite experience) could mean developing a healthy respect for forces greater than the thinking mind of man, which creates a finite "self." And as I said before, nature is no more dangerous a playground than the human mind. We've seen how one corrupted human mind could lead to the genocide of millions of human beings. Nature is a reflection of consciousness itself. Specifically, it is the physical representation of the unconscious-- the unknown part of the mind. As the finite human thinking mind comes into greater awareness of this yet unconscious realm, it can begin to act as a catalyst for bringing the formless into form and contribute to the evolution and expansion of consciousness. That evolution is manifested in the material realm and produces change. In other words, "nature" is not static. So ascribing "dangerous" to nature may be a way to talk about the unconscious and the respect with which it should be treated, but it can be fatefully misleading without context. It does not mean that exploration should be avoided or that one should deny that it is part of his own being. If we imagine that the danger lies "out there" and that it has no correlation to the danger lurking inside us, we can fall into the illusion that the two are separate. And therefore, we come to believe that we can and must conquer and control the unknown, the unconscious-- the natural world, using a finite thinking mind. This is not the way to expand freedom. The expansion of freedom comes with the expansion of consciousness, which cannot happen if we set ourselves up as enemies of that which lies in the dark forest of the unconscious.

[@TheLiam85]

I feel ike this channel deserves my sociology degree tution fees more than the uni

[@broken2bones]

Outstanding video sir. Thank thank you. People need to listen, now more than ever

[@n8tiveissues821]

Amen

[@VC-tn5ul]

“In order to be free, a person must create his/her own laws (ideally virtuous) and follow them diligently.” I forgot where I heard this from. ✌🏼😅

[@robertdabob8939]

I'm not sure either, but I clearly hear the narrating voice of Academy Of Ideas as I read it.

[@inridlcruz5023]

It is my guess from McDonald's happy meal,, the law is the sum of the moral and ethical of a being therefore you can't be be free from you and or a slave at the same time ,

[@shimok9102]

Thank you for your videos. I'm from Syria where the things talked about in this video and other videos are a reality not just old quotes. You always bring valuable information to us, and your culture needs that so it doesn't become my culture.

[@lovepeace9136]

I literally needed this right now!

[@MrBbouas]

Same. The timing is perfect

[@jordanm6940]

I figuratively needed it.

[@yootangclan]

Same

[@Stephan2P]

@Andorian Nationalist Sheeple

[@Kylemathews1]

@Andorian Nationalist lol that's what i just commented. NPC's /zombie robots.

[@paulmatolsy4593]

Whoever put together this video has managed to elegantly encapsulate thinking on one of the world's most pressing topics. I can't say enough about this channel. It should be required watching for citizens of all nations.

[@stephaniesomer5934]

THIS should be required on the syllabus for public schools nationwide!🤗❤️🇺🇸 PS- I’ve been sharing the 💩 out of this channel’s videos.

[@theanti-corporation]

Very well put together have to say one of the best presentations I've seen thus far in regards to the principle of natural law - defense force, vs violence, and coercion, and the clear demonstration of the correlation of MORALITY and it's direct relationship to HUMAN FREEDOM. Standing ovation 👏 keep up the GREAT WORK!💚💯👊

[@ilovebutterstuff]

This channel definitely has it's head on straight. Love the quotes, sometimes I write them down.

[@rkba4923]

"If the government becomes the lawbreaker, it breeds contempt for law; it invites every man to become a law unto himself; it invites anarchy." -Louis D Brandeis.

[@sjuvanet]

centralized gov't ://// reminds me of the whole "thomas sowell should've been the first black president" thing. a man like thomas sowell would never run for public office because he's got too much humility.

[@jacbug-7349]

The goat

[@Yunghamz]

Nice sarcasm.

[@rj9617]

So true. But instead we got stuck with that arrogant idiot obama.

[@ramonbril]

And that is why democracies always fail.

[@codyvandal2860]

@@ramonbril Always.

[@PaulJoseph]

Well sourced, philosophical, historical and always relevant to our current condition - this is why Academy of Ideas is one of the best channels in social media.

[@metal0n0v]

Freedom does not come from some violent action but from refusing to obey.

[@moniquevamado]

Your content is incredible and this one in particular is shrewd and timely. I'm encouraged to see how many subscribers you have. Makes me see that there are more people awake than it currently seems. Not sure if you've included this quote in one of your other videos, but it fits here as well: "It is not in the nature of politics that the best men should be elected. The best men do not want to govern their fellowmen." - George MacDonald

[@lorrainewilliams7896]

I feel like I need a good cry now. The description of ciphers explains a lot, including why I don't get along with most people. #freethinker

[@ramonbril]

But you probably have real friends, something most cyphers have not.

[@luckyupadhayay7150]

1:35 "We need freedom" Shows Hong Kong's skyline *THE SUBTLE ART OF PROTEST*

[@Mohawks_and_Tomahawks]

"Give me Liberty or Give me Death." ... "Live Free or Die." If you don't feel this way, you do not deserve Freedom. Freedom is not Free, it has the highest price... Life. Happy Remembrance Day / Veterans Day. Lest we Forget.

[@sherlockman]

“Give me liberty, or give me death!" is a quotation attributed to Patrick Henry from a speech he made to the Second Virginia Convention on March 23, 1775, at St. John's Church in Richmond, Virginia.

[@joekuntzman4016]

As 2020 began to take shape, I bought some stick on letters for the back of my car. I wrote 3 words. "Freedom IS Life" I hope more people will take the time to listen to this. Great video 👍

[@TheArtyninja]

The problem isn't centralised government, persay, but absolute control with no checks on power, with exclusive representation, extractive economic institutions, and a chokehold on information. The ideal state not only defends liberty by force, but asserts liberty to ensure justice and equality. Providing mediation between positive and negative liberty.

[@craigscott3763]

Negative liberty leads to degeneracy. Just look at people who claim it is their "right" to abort their children in pursuit of their individual interests.

[@oliviertheveniot2896]

Your videos are always so rich and so insightful. Thank you for bringing so much awareness. If there is one thing though that I think is missing, is références to the beautiful paintings that you use. Just an idea.

[@academyofideas]

We provide references to the paintings on our website: academyofideas.com/2020/08/freedom-vs-force-the-individual-and-the-state/#art

[@jamiedorsey4167]

I'd say we also need to be concerned about "bottom up authoritarianism". Our fellow citizens can enforce norms that become oppressive too.

[@lexozardiashvili2331]

I have never left a comment on KZbin, but have been watching (and listening) your videos for more then 3 years now and I have to say: you are great! You basically chew for us the vast information into digestible ideas. Really impactful work guys! Thank you so much for this. Please keep going!

[@joeorca5087]

Goooooood. Now, start thinking crically.

[@TheJester-ct5pi]

I'm starting to think the end goal, what we call progress, is an all encompassing totalitarian state. From complete natural liberty as hunter-gatherers, to complete civil liberty under some authoritarian regime. For thousands of years we believed in some higher entity which gave our lives meaning and purpose, that we would be judged for our actions and our afterlives determined. We called for God, but he did not exist. So we as a species are striving to create a utopia on earth, the rise of Fascism and Communism a response to the existential movement of the late 19th early 20th century, a new myth to unify the people and promise some sort of salvation. I hope some people discuss these ideas and others under this thread, would be fun to hear people's ideas

[@deborahsinico9732]

This is a Spiritual Warfare & many are Spiritually Retarded! They have no faith & have lost their way! Every Civilization who has lost their Soul, has lost their right to exist! You can learn a lot from History ~ Read the Rise & Fall of Rome!

[@olgamarinho]

It is essential for the totalitarian state to ban the knowledge of God from the man's soul. They achieved this successfully through the ideology of materialism.

[@wesfortney5294]

@@deborahsinico9732 It is interesting that you mention faith as the key to having a determined path. So often, it seems, faith is seen as a fool-hearty preoccupation, when in reality faith is what keeps us centered in a path that delivers uncompromised cooperation. Only faith can allow one to experience the profoundest trespasses and to then shrug them off as trivialities. Faith also carries one forward when there exists no certainty of result. Sorcerer's and sages seem to meld the application of faith and force to create an existence independent of manipulation but reactive to attack when appropriate.

[@astroguardian11]

Maybe if people stopped looking "out there" and instead looked within as all the great spiritual masters--not religious suggest, then maybe humanity might have a shot. Until then were most likely doomed.

[@astroguardian11]

@jeremy Lyons Well, I can honestly say i'm far from being any kind of spiritual master but coming from my own personal experience, growing up in a non practicing catholic house hold, to eventually becoming a christian for a time--going to church and studying the biblical texts along with other apocryphal books, and like so many of us though our own education/religion and personal studies I was introduced to Astrology--specifically Vedic astrology several years back and learning a little bit about alchemy and the power of intuition or 3rd eye, which allowed me to see how polarized modern society has become on a plethora of issues. I can only say that if you begin to learn you own personal nature and how nature and the universe are all tied into each other, it kind of opens you up to so many existential possibilities.

[@Bmorgan1220]

@Academy of Ideas Your channel has helped me improve myself and my life is getting better. Thank you for being a beacon for positive change.

[@joshuathinkingoutloud]

I really enjoyed this. Videos like this are what keeps us smaller channels forward leaning. Thank you! 🌿

[@markh4926]

Maybe that's why people think I'm strange! I simply like living in my small cabin which isn't quit up to the ideal of those people, however I've been here for 25 years and haven't ever thought I need more, I have enough. While in the hospital my family took the opportunity of tossing all my stuff in the dump. They tossed out tools and materials I've been using over the years to maintain my life here. Earlier in life I was ostracized from groups because I wouldn't and couldn't believe in their nonsense. This is a quote from a preacher, "You can keep your mouth shut or leave this church!" I left and never regretted that decision.

[@awakeningmusic4267]

If you want the convenience of a society, you must compromise some freedoms. *If you value freedom over all, you must live outside of society.*

[@paulatreides0777]

Awakening Music goodbye society.

[@explosives101]

There is no such thing as society.

[@thegram9207]

We must obey only two rules : the golden rule and affirmed consent .

[@awakeningmusic4267]

@@explosives101 noun: society the aggregate of people living together in a more or less ordered community.

[@doorswhofan]

@@awakeningmusic4267 I think what explosives101 means to get at is that "society" is a concept, not a substantive thing. Only individuals actually exist.

[@enlighteneduk]

Far and away the best KZbin channel exploring and explaining the psychology behind the situation in the world today. Thank you!

[@Mullet-ZubazPants]

11:00 It sounds like Auberon Herbert is describing technocracy. A technocracy which has recently revealed it's intentions during this "pandemic"

[@jeremypiland1908]

this is the hill I will die on! I think we should ALL be considering what our limit is as well. Great video, definitely going to share.

[@AJRMediaAgency]

Perfect timing of the video, freedom is a must!

[@hikari6706]

My man Academy of Ideas knows what’s up. Enlightening videos.

[@Yunghamz]

As soon as I saw the topic of the video, I knew the comments section would be mostly populated by a certain type of person. Thank you for bringing them into one place, they make me feel good in times of trouble knowing that I will never be as pathetic as them. Great video and keep up the good work!

[@concernedcitizen803]

Another brilliant video I always read the books you quote from I wished you would publish a reading list

[@academyofideas]

Here academyofideas.com/books

[@concernedcitizen803]

@@academyofideas thank you very much. Socrates as described by plato taught me how to debate, but Marcus whom I discovered from your channel, taught me to live

[@motemints]

I was listening to you and not knowing why this thought came to me: I could bear this information, this truth, because of the gente sound of your voice. Love this channel

[@craigagar4527]

Hey man I'vetuned into quite a few of your videos now, I just have to say man please keep going you do a really good job and you are one of the lights Illuminating this Dark World

[@silverswordstudios7334]

Libertarianism in a nutshell! Thanks for the content - it really helps!

[@shader3020]

Libertarianism would just let all power go toward unfettered capitalism and turn the earth into a wasteland because everyone is trying to fuck the other person over.

[@silverswordstudios7334]

@@shader3020 I never specified which form of libertarianism. Also, you're confusing unregulated free markets with monopoly-based corporatocracy.

[@shader3020]

@@silverswordstudios7334 Fair enough and possibly true but it doesn't take monopolies to do such a thing.

[@silverswordstudios7334]

@@shader3020 competition, a major component of free markets, brings about a greater degree of protection for consumer and, in doing so, environmental concerns. The people one-upping each other are the businesses, and by conducting such competition, they are creating greater quality of good or service.

[@danielpotyok7446]

I can't thank you enough for this channel. If those of us with kids can get them to watch these videos we may yet have a future. The status quo is a grim trajectory.

[@digitaldharma]

Whoa! I wish I can be as articulately angry yet calm like that when I revolt on oppressing ideas/sittuation. This one of my new favorites in this channel. Im excited to see the slow and steady growth of the number of men and women awakens in this interesting times.

[@ezsovereign9781]

This channel is literally the only thing that gives me hope for the future. I think about all of these things these videos mention ona daily basis. An then all of sudden it’s all set in front of me within these videos, It really makes me wonder ...

[@jonathanadamson]

The problem is that a "Sipher" or "Mass Man" or "Sheeple" never thinks he is one. It's always the others. The reality is that most human beings are meme replicators. Even an idea that runs counter to the mainstream narrative like, "the government is bad" is merely a meme that has possessed the mind of the one who thinks he is free. This speech is so narrowly focused on a particular bias that it leaves out information that would act as a counterweight to all the hyperbole. I agree that we need new decentralized systems of organization, but that doesn't mean "the state is a freedom killer." It means the way we are organizing ourselves produces maladaptive human behavior. Remember that it was the State freed the individual from the tyranny of the family (particularly the father), who could beat, rape, kill or sell into slavery any one of them without justice. It was the state that guaranteed rights to the individual who could seek justice, and it is the state that enforces laws that empower the individual in the face of a tyrannical father. Don't make the mistake of assuming that because you feel the state has become a tyrannical father that we'd do better to dismantle it. Furthermore, you can't separate the State and Society as if they are two islands. They emerge together and interdependent. You crush the state, you crush the society. If you broaden your view a bit, you can easily see that this phenomena is not limited to government or politicians. Megalomaniacs are found at the top of every power structure-- corporations, religions... EVERY human institution. Look how corporations bloat up, grow larger, gain power over lives and livelihoods and shape our reality. Or the banks. While you are busy being cynical about politicians and crying "bring down the state," (and there is plenty to be cynical about), the people with real power who actually pull the strings get stronger. How do you suggest we bind the growing power and wealth of multi-national corporations and banks who fund politicians and get them elected without a State? What entity could we organize can free us from THAT tyranny? From being perpetual slaves to the machine? A bunch of free individuals? You think Facebook and Apple and Google and Amazon and Microsoft and the other multinational corporations are just gonna do what is right for individual freedom once the State implodes? No! The idea of individual freedom is a counterfeit idea produced by the cult of individuality. It rests upon the notion that my existence is fundamentally independent of yours or any other being. It produces a distorted, unconnected, individual, selfish kind of lust for liberty that is actually at odds with justice. Real freedom is what Edmund Burke calls "Social Freedom." Because human beings are social beings. We can have no concept of "self" that could seek freedom without a group of humans reflecting one another. Burke says that "social freedom is secured by the equality of restraint." He goes further, saying it is "a constitution of things in which the liberty of no one man, and no body of men, and no number of men, can find means to trespass on the liberty of any person, or any description of persons, in the society. This kind of liberty is, indeed, but another name for justice; ascertained by wise laws, and secured by well-constructed institutions." Look, I get that the power dynamics built into our systems of organization are going to be the end of us if we don't restructure. I agree that we need decentralized forms or organization. But we do need to organization. We need institutions. There does need to be collective power. So, in my opinion, the all the blame isn't rightly laid at the feet of government. There is enough to spread around. We should think very hard before dismantling all our institutions and throwing everything into chaos and start looking at what aspects of our institutions are good and should be kept as we update them for a new world. Our institutions cannot continue as they have, but we could not be where we are without our institutions. There is a time and a season for all things, and we are in the winter of our conventional way... the wind may pluck the leaves from the tree, but if you cut it down, there will be no bloom in spring. Only desolation.

[@RAINIBEAR]

Individual freedom is good enough. There is not much freedom in social freedom because society and government will force their laws upon all people. I like Japan but look at it. Individual desires are subdued for the sake of the nation. People are overworked and don't enough have money for raising children, leading to declining birthrates. Individualism is not a cult; it is one of the principles on which America was founded.

[@cheeseburgerinparadise7124]

Dude you're insane. I didn't even read once you said tyranny of the family and then mention particularly of the father? That's more than a little deranged bro

[@jonathanadamson]

United States of Anime My argument is that “individual freedom” is a farce. For there to be such a thing, you would need to show that such an “individual” exists independently of others. But as I mentioned, the idea that we construct of a “self” is dependent on other human beings. Remember, we cannot even begin to construct the concept of the “individual” without language. But language could not be developed by an individual. It necessarily requires at least two people for language to ever come into existence. It is only that particular concept of an autonomous, individual self that imagines it can achieve “individual freedom.” Individualism is an abstraction. Abstractions can certainly be useful, but they can also trap us in the illusion they are real. "Individual freedom” is an idea derived out of the concept of the “individual," which falsely claims that there is actually such thing as an unencumbered individual. We can't secure freedom for a false concept of what we are.

[@jonathanadamson]

Scott Isaak I take that as a compliment.

[@nate6662]

Thank you for for being a much-needed counterweight to the hyperbole found in this video. The videos on this channel usually have thoughtful and nuanced discussions so I was surprised by how unsubtle and exaggerated this one was. There’s a quote about how one should be suspicious of people who paint the world as black and white and demand that we choose a side. I think your point about how power-hungry people are common in hierarchies across society and not just in the state is well taken. And thank you for bringing up the power of multi-national corporations, some of which have more wealth than some countries’ entire GDPs! I was wondering how a video attempting to explain the current conditions of individual freedom and state coercion could be made without touching on global capitalism and its destabilizing effects on individual identity, national cohesion, and traditional state power. I find your arguments in favor of decentralizing power, strengthening institutions, and how liberalism has not just stolen freedoms but in fact bestowed new freedoms on individuals as well to be a lot more compelling than the arguments in the video.

[@TheUnnamedAssailant]

Mana for the thinking man, that is what this channel is. I’ve watched this twice, once for the listening, twice for the researching.

[@elizabethcablesings]

SO good. I would love to creat a reading list from all of these quotes...or I should say MOST of them. Thank you

[@mypositivetrueworld]

Absolutely awesomly amazing!!! Needs to be shared world wide!

[@tempestangelslayer2295]

Brilliant! Thank you for your work!

[@coryharasha]

Thanks for sharing these beautiful ideas in a time so critical as this! "I prefer dangerous freedom over peaceful slavery." - Thomas Jefferson

[@CosmosGatito]

Ciphers are quite literally anyone and everyone who refers to themselves as Republicans or Democrats. You can guess who the political class or elite are.

[@deborahsinico9732]

Neither! And they play both sides!

[@lorrainewilliams7896]

Those political parties and street gangs have a disturbing amount of similarities.

[@rickeybernard8156]

@@lorrainewilliams7896 countries too. I've always said this. I'm glad someone else noticed as well.

[@CASH10K]

I don’t think I agree with this. Those are just labels to put you into a specific group of ideas. If you have x belief then that is a republican belief but if you have y belief then that is a Democrat belief. You can be either or and not be a zombie like drone that just accepts whatever the government tells them

[@missmia196]

@@CASH10K but the two party system is a lie, so you can see those who tend to proudly stamp themselves with a label like that maybe aren't that far from sheeple 🤔

[@zilinliu6758]

Thank you guys so much for standing with Hong Kong.

[@myrtlebeachtv]

Freedom is so elusive in these times; those of us who yearn for it suffer immeasurably from its loss.

[@azhadial7396]

I think it is important to point out that governments are not the only institutions enforcing force and limiting freedom. Every company does it too. Companies have constitutions, they have rules, and they can pressure the workers to do anything (in a way comparable to blackmailing). Companies give orders. But the difference is that, in our current capitalist system, governments may be to some extent democratic, but most companies are authoritarian and all the power rests inside the hands of a CEO (sometimes the power is even dynastic as is the case for companies like LOréal or the Trump Organization). Limiting the power of government is not the solution. It would only allow the companies to fill that vacuum and gain more control over the people who depend on them. Maximizing freedom cannot be done by just limiting the government, or in the contrary, to make the government strong and authoritarian enough to limit other institutions (like companies) capable of limiting freedom. The solution is to make all those institutions, governments included, ruled by the people and make follow the will of the people. But to prevent any form of tyranny of the majority (the majority being free and using its power to limit the freedom of the minority), decentralization, or more precisely the right to decentralize or the right for one group or one individual to move from one authority to another (if they disagree with the former one), is also necessary (that is to say, allow any group of people, possibly even individual people, to freely chose for themselves). Currently, employees are dependent on their job and cannot freely change jobs, but they have some right to change job if they disagree with their companies' policy; however they do not have the right to form an autonomous community in their country (at least without the unlikely approval of the congress or any centralized political institution of the state) and their right to change country is very limited (it is very difficult for someone to move to another country, gain a residency permit, etc.): one of these two rights must be accessible to every person at every time for each institution which has authority on the said person. Decentralization is also mathematical: if half of people agree with X and half disagree with X; if we allow those two groups to chose to apply X or not for themselves instead of together, we will satisfy everyone (if it is absurd for each household or each person in a country to chose its/their own laws if it/they disagree with the state authority, they should be able to change from one authority to another. And it is completely reasonable to allow each community, each region to have the right to disagree with other regions and choose for itself). But there is one more element to freedom we must take into account. A person who is free on paper but was born in poverty will not be able to choose their education, to choose to travel to another country, to choose the path they will take, they will have less job opportunities, they will not be able to take any financial risk if a decision requires it (they will just not be able to take such a decision). Freedom can only be fully accomplished when people have equal access to opportunities, when people have an equal access to education, to healthcare, to travel, to employment. That is to say inequalities (especially poverty), all forms of oppression, etc. must be addressed. Thus, to maximize freedom, we cannot just remove one existing structure of power which is the state. Power will always exist, and will only be compatible with freedom if it is in the hands of the people. Freedom can only be fully achieved through democracy, not just representative democracies (as argued in the video, politicians tend to be corrupt, narcissistic and thirsty for power) but direct democracy: democracy in all institutions of power, including companies (working people need to own their company. A CEO may still be needed but they should be able to take decisions only with the approval of the workers). Democracy is not enough, decentralization, or more accurately the right to decentralize or to move from one democratic authority to another, is also necessary. And equal opportunities is the last necessary step and can only be achieved by equality through solidarity (fortunately the democratization of companies will prevent any one individual from becoming absurdly richer than their employees and will allow for more equality). This is socialism but is fundamentally different from the authoritarian centralized undemocratic form of socialism which has historically been tried (and it will probably be viable since the main engine of economic success in capitalism is competition; in a decentralized socialism, companies will continue to compete with one another contrary to what happens in state-centralized authoritarian socialism).

[@TRUTHF0RCE]

On the beggining of your comment, its apparent to me that you dont realize that you're not forced to join a company. You voluntary choose to accept the terms and conditions of job or company has set out for you to follow and agree. Later on you say how poverty and the place where people are born limits their freedoms, but the underlying problem is people inhibiting other peoples freedoms using force/threats of violence in today's societies. You say: "Freedom can only be fully accomplished when people have equal access to opportunities", this cant be the definition of freedom since this would mean nobody is free. No one has the equal opportunity has everybody else to: have a job, get a girl, have a nice body, be free of a genetic disease, be smart, die before her 30's, to ride a boat, enter college. We are all diferent, and the way we are born. And how would this equal acess to opportinities? By some "goverment" using threats of violence to take something from some and give it to others(to fix poverty)? To lower the standarts of something(to enter college). There are factors and conditions already set upon you since your birth and existence, and that can be a part of you forever, or it can be fixed(by doing your choices and better your conditions). Nobody set a law to make you poor, nobody set you up to be poor/dumb/introvert/have a genetic disease by birth. But it's you. It's your existence. You can be born in a certain way, but it wasnt anyone "fault" by your conditions. You are confusing freedom in those examples with POSSIBILITIES. Opportunities. And everyone, doesnt have the same opportunities. We all have different lifes. But if someone uses unjust force upon you(exorting you, beating you up), that's a direct immoral act. On that fact that nobody has the right to touch your body or steal/use your property without your consent. Breaking your personal rights = interfering with your liberties, with your peace. You have freedom when you are free of harm/conflict from any other person, and having "the freedom to" means the chance to do something that no other person can say that you cant do. You can say whatever you want to say, dress, eat, swim, run, own, etc as long as youre not forcing/threatening/harming other people. Once voluntary interactions are broken, liberty is being broken. Only people can interfere with other peoples freedoms. "Freedom can only be fully achieved through democracy" are you really free in democratic societies? Democracy means that there has to be a goverment, if theres a goverment there are people governing you(thus you are not free) In your choices, habits and possibilities. Democracy is mob rule, is mob rule moral? Just because a lot of people agree with something that makes it true? No. The whole world can believe in a lie and think its a truth, but in fact its a lie. People need to discuss until the most true statement/choice/solutions is found. Anything can be justified if mob rule is in place, and that can be dangerous. I agree with decentralization.

[@M64936]

Some companies are horrible, I worked for one and then I quit. Now I live under a horrible government, how do I quit my government?

[@dewz0010]

There is an oppression inherent in existence. I would be wary in advocating a redistribution of resources to help those less fortunate outside of the choice of individual charity. Power will always exist, it’s is only compatible with freedom when it is in the hands of the individual.

[@azhadial7396]

@@TRUTHF0RCE Unemployment is high. The employers are in a position of force toward the employees/unemployed. The employees/unemployed are dependent on getting a job to live. They cannot choose the best job unless they have enough money in their bank account to be able to survive for months. Many people are forced, for their survival, to choose the first job they have access too; not doing so would be a highly dangerous decision for them. I mentioned the fact that one can their job, if they desire. People can more easily quit their company than quit their government. However this does not mean quitting their company is easy. When your life is dependent on your job, you can't quit your job. And when your CEO raises their own salary and continues to pay you with the minimal salary, you can only bow your head. Yes, people are inherently different. These differences are at the basis of each person's identity. They are internal causes which determine what each person will do, what each person desires. I never said I was in favor of transforming humanity in an army of clones. I said that people should have equal access to opportunities in their society. The poor person who is too poor to study chemistry has not the same freedom has the rich person who has the money to study chemistry. One of them can freely become a chemist, the other cannot. How would the necessary equality be achieved? Violence is a solution, arguably a bad one. But when Jeff Bezos accumulates wealth by having underpaid employees who have a hard time surviving, it is violence; it is just indirect and less evident. And when the employee complains and is fired, it is violence too. The employee is stuck in a position of obedience, not a position of freedom. Everywhere there is a relationship of power, there is the real possibility of violence. Although currently governments are the most powerful violent institutions: a company can only be violent if a government allows it. The US government allows plenty of violence to be done by companies; China arguably allow even more. How would I minimize violence? I proposed direct democracy (the majority will be protected by direct democracy) and the possibility of decentralization (to protect the minority if it is threatened by the majority) or allowing individuals to quit one authority for another, another which respect those individuals' rights (to protect the individual). This also answers your question about mob rule. Note : some people use a distorted definition of Republic and Democracy, making them incompatible with each other. I do not use such a definition. A democracy is any authority ruled by people (or indirectly when it comes to representative democracy). A Republic is a type of state (a state is itself a form of authority but one with borders and laws) which is not a monarchy. The minority can also believe in lies. The US' president believes in the unproven efficiency of hydroxychloroquine, he also denies climate change and probably does not believe in evolution either. Democracy is not more subject to lies than non-democracies. Fighting against lies is a whole other debate. And I think it can perfectly be achieved through democracies if we encourage political debates, if we encourage people to listen to the expert in a subject (and more importantly understand why these experts hold the positions they hold), etc.

[@TuckerHolt]

A minute and a half in and I’m already inspired to better myself

[@markgabriel7864]

Thank you so much for sharing all your videos you put out. Hope it helps more and more people see this world as it really is. 🙏👑

[@patrickjh]

Freedom: Satisfaction Not Guaranteed

[@LoveLawWill]

One of the best and most thought provoking channels on youtube. keep up the great work.

[@chrism3933]

This is my favorite one so far! Thanks for putting this content together.

[@denniss3980]

This is a must listen to anyone still closed minded to what is happening right in front of their face

[@red-hn5iy]

"We gotta take the power back"

[@savvysista14]

Yes!!!! "Wake Up" (RATM) 😁👍

[@mikejohn29mj]

No, we should've never gave it up. Once you give up the power, you won't get it back unless you pay for it at a price higher than an arm and a leg.

[@franciscopolicarpo96]

congratulations on this channel man. I will share with friends and family. we need this, now more than ever Freedom = responsability and unfortunatly no one wants to be responsable for anything nowadays, its just easier when someone tells you what to do

[@liqhtless1191]

We should not live in fear, then you will never truly be living in freedom.

[@letsomethingshine]

Yet the price of freedom is constant vigilance. We should not be afraid of fear, we should just be daring enough to hold on to well-informed courage while we take watch.

[@radu921000]

this channel is better than the whole of my law school, 5 years of it, brief, effective and nerve striking

[@panamahub]

Perfect! you just expressed my thoughts.

[@namelessgrace6319]

This video literally gave me chills! That's how I know it reached my soul. Thanks.

[@SweatyDamocles]

Revolt against the modern world! Read old books. Our ancestors built earlier iterations of civilization and we can return to it and maintain it only if we accept to be as virtuous as them.

[@andrewthehoople]

Setting aside the fact that most people's ideas of the ancient world are based on nationalist propaganda from the 19th century, there's no use turning to older forms of despotism to escape from the modern iterations.

[@rodrigoadames3122]

"Revolt against the modern world" is a book from Julius Evola, a conservative and reaccionary fascist. This video has a liberal perspective against the State, wether fascist or communist.

[@Hyper-Linkman]

@@andrewthehoople That's why there's a need for discernment. A Bruce Lee quote comes to mind: "Absorb what is useful. Discard what is not." That was his belief on discerning which skills are useful in different forms of martial arts. The idea being that while some fighting styles were just for show, they still had bits that could be adapted for improving your own personal fighting style. Much like the ways of the old world; some things in history were lost to antiquity for good reason: they're not useful or are riddled with bigotry and certain biases. While we may not condone much of what's happened historically, there is still plenty of wisdom to be found in countering and preventing tyrannical governments and rulers. In the age of information (or, rather information overload), we have to look past the dogma which suggests that the old ways are dead. If not, we will only look forward to the narrative being broadcast by the ones in power. The same ones who prefer that we forget the warning signs of despotism in the wait.

[@SweatyDamocles]

@@rodrigoadames3122 I'm not defending or advocating for Evola's mystical turbo-fascism

[@UniMatrix_1]

"Read old books" 👍🏾😏

[@DannySullivanMusic]

Love the Steve Cutts work at 0:58 . For people that haven't watched his videos, you're really missing out!

[@plenarchist]

The "Mr. Spencer" of Auberon Herbert's "Mr. Spencer and the Great Machine" refers to Herbert Spencer who wrote the great treatise on individual freedom, _Social Statics_ (1852). Spencer coined the phrase "survival of the fittest"--which is universally misunderstood and misrepresented... as much as Spencer himself.

[@maxwellwang795]

Personal responsibility and freedom of choice, belief, and thought is necessary for the greatest good to flourish.

[@andrewthehoople]

Where is the magical point where a government becomes small enough that it can be considered "local"? And what if the interests of two localities diverge?

[@letsomethingshine]

And what if a government becomes small enough to be bought and sold-off like a cheap commodity?

[@penitentone6998]

Government can be as big or as small as you want. They can be bought off either way. The solution is limiting power to governments and corporations by starving them of money.

[@AussieDreamChaser]

I feel the only true fair system is one run by the people for the people. Limited government say a maximum of two by four year terms and no such thing as career politicians. The world needs engineers not lawyers in politics. The way it should work is no parties allowed, all independents only filling the seats as temporary politicians still voted in by the people based on their own merit and moral standing and how they present and promote themselves but government should not allow any donations or political lobbying from anyone, any industry or any big business or billionaire. There should be no ongoing perks or privileges or tax payer funded pensions after these part time politicians end their maximum of two terms they then have to return to the real work force like everyone else and get back to being productive individuals. There should be no such thing as political dynasties. Every major issue brought through parliament should be voted on by referendum by the people, with the internet this is now very cheap and should not be a drag on the public purse or take too much time. By removing donations and lobbying we can remove the sway and favoritism that billionaires currently have over political leaders. The final step is disband the UN, the WHO and get away from the IMF and the World Bank or any globalist entity like the Council on Foreign Relations. Retain allegiances but promote national pride and patriotism, restore pride in countries own nations, customs, cultures, traditions, histories and religions. Trade and co-exist and allow international travel and migration but retain the integrity and individual beauty and sanctity of all nations and peoples and value their own homelands. One of the most important steps after changing the political system away from the Left vs Right two party paradigm to small short term limited government, is to restructure countries monetary systems away from centralized banks, away from fiat currencies and the reserve banking system, get sound money back that is printed and distributed by the country and the political system itself and backed by real sound items of value such as gold. This would take the individuals countries power back from banksters. Also, get away from the globalist farce of climate change and allow each country to build and supply their own power through whichever means works best for the country, coal, gas, nuclear, solar, wind, hydroelectric etc etc... don't restrict nations on the back of a globalist control agenda. This is the basis of the only way I can see we could retain some form of fair government but get away from the totalitarian nightmare that we are all currently heading towards... They will not let us change this without a fight and it would be bloody but you know what they say about the tree of liberty.

[@darkisland04]

The greater (and more important) good of the individual will always add far more to the "greater good" than the opposite ever does.

[@geoff1391]

This video is WILDLY irresponsible in today's world, especially with regards to the United States. Yes, of course, the sweetest, most life-affirming, and empowering feeling and force in life is the pursuit and enjoyment of freedom. Life is worth nothing without freedom, and on that point, this video is correct without qualification. But freedom is earned with responsibility, and this video's analysis of real freedom in the real world is that of a child's. A body can only be free to move and excel if it is healthy, and a mind can only be free for critical thinking and logical reflection if it is well exercised and well informed. Likewise, in order for a society to be free, that society requires infrastructure like roads and bridges, etc., some form of agreed upon law and order, property rights protected by state law, protected public spaces, and large-scale not-for-profit services that would otherwise be unaffordable to the average person. Yes, taxes suck, and everybody hates taxes, but society does need some form of public organization to collect taxes in order to manage these necessary 'bureaucratic evils'. To argue otherwise is gleefully ignorant, blindly ideological, and smacks of either privilege or immaturity. To present all of life and all of society as a strict dichotomy between absolute freedom and absolute tyranny is overly simplistic, dangerous, and misleading propaganda. Furthermore, doing so ignores the greatest evil in American society over the last thirty years- the bipartisan deregulation and privatization that has created the current situation of absurd inequality and the dystopian struggle of existence for the majority of the American people. Middle class living (and, yes, the level of relative freedom that comes with that sustainable standard of living) has been hollowed out by the following: 1) ideological manipulation that "government itself is always the enemy" 2) tax cuts for the wealthy and unregulated corporate tax loopholes, and 3) increased privatization as elected representative are bought behind the scenes by corporate lobbying interests. This video is highly irresponsible for neglecting this part of the whole story. The author might need to read a book about the recent history of globalization from Bretton Woods to the present in order to get re-acquainted with the reality of the world we live in. The arguments that are made here appear to be largely based on a single - albeit interesting - wealthy British politician's cartoonishly pessimistic views of human nature (as well as, of course, the abstract idealism of Ayn Rand-style libertarianism). What this video ignores is the current CORPORATE FASCISM that governs American society. Overly intrusive centralized government is not at the root of the current problems faced by the majority of the American people. In fact the current lack of freedom in American society is due to one form of the opposite: an aversion to common sense, responsible public planning of necessary public services that contribute to a sustainable standard of living. A healthy, thriving middle class requires public services as part of a MIXED MARKET economy. The longer the American people are duped by libertarian wishful thinking, the longer they will be enslaved to their current CORPORATE masters.

[@dylprez]

I agree with you about corporate power, however the author may have left it out because he wanted to keep the video shorter and possibly focus on the topic of government which is more relevant to today’s current conditions. When you mention public planning to help the middle class, what kind of public service do you mean?

[@fortusvictus8297]

Great explanation of the paradox of seeking a 'free' society. Freedom is not just the freedom to do smart things and make good choices your neighbor agrees with. Freedom (as it is often presented) is also license for pure selfishness and even working against the efforts of your neighbor with the protection of the state. 'Every society has the Government it deserves' is in part because intelligent and rational beings don't often support or vote for politicians who seek office only to keep things steady, people WANT to support a politician who will assume power on the premise they will use that power to cut off a larger slice of the pie for those who support them. This video attempts to dehumanize people for making what is in reality an ugly but very real set of rational decisions made possible by Freedom...that is the paradox.

[@viktorkotsev593]

Thank you for the one sane comment. Reading the rest of the replies to this video I came to the unfortunate realization of what the core audience thinks. I believe that this channel does a good job of dealing with the problems of the individual but once it starts making prescripstions on a societal level I cringe every time.

[@J5L5M6]

@@viktorkotsev593 Ditto. I'm a member of the Academy of Ideas site. Over the years the content, source material suggestions and often times, even the artwork used have helped me to reflect and grow. But, there is a certain lack of insight to societal issues. My favorite of his society pieces is when he leans on the ideas of Eric Hoffer.

[@geoff1391]

@@dylprez While checking government power in general is always important, checking American corporate power is currently one of the two most important societal issues, alongside constant critique of the various 1984-level totalitarian policies of Chinese government.

[@williamroberts8470]

Dude! Your videos really give me hope.

[@HesterInNZ]

The welfare of people has always been the alibi of tyrants. Brilliant quotes thruout this vid. Thanks for the work.

[@BigRebel0802]

Incredible , concise , beautifully done video explanations of what’s killing our world and good suggestions on what individuals can do to fight back. Best thing I’ve seen in years for education on individual freedoms and liberty.

[@golem2008]

in the case of us constitutional breaches there may be a certain complacency in the idea that the perceived strong institutions such as the supreme court and congress will always work to limit such breaches and guarantee freedom, rather than a more individual approach to controlling governmental actions

[@whitebeardedgnu]

The descriptions of ciphers, minions, & elites was spot on.

[@acctsys]

Life is quite complicated to settle for false dichotomies. Let's all continue to keep making things better.

[@josephzanes7334]

Nothing is all that complicated

[@rickeybernard8156]

@@josephzanes7334 with as many factors that affect life in general it easily is that complicated.

[@freneticfanatic]

@@josephzanes7334 It is when my "better" and your "better" are not the same.

[@bws1971]

The choice between freedom from centralized forced or enslavement under it is one dichotomy that has shown itself over and over again to be true, not false

[@acctsys]

@@bws1971 I agree that in most cases, that is true. Personally, I'm for limited government.

[@twominutesofyourtime3667]

Watching this leaves me disturbed. Is there anything that can be done? Are we all trapped? What freedom can I have? My thinking is free but how to use it? If I can't use it, I am not free.

[@explosives101]

Political Authority is the most dangerous superstition.

[@josephzanes7334]

Ah, Authority can never be proven, but must be challenged

[@freedombus5559]

Your videos are excellent! I feel lucky to have had the pleasure of watching them. Outstanding my man keep em coming.

[@jameskulevich8907]

You can call me anything you want, but DON’T CALL ME A SOCIALIST!

[@BrookeFilth]

I hope someday this becomes the #1 most subbed channel on KZbin. I wish my friends and I discovered this channel sooner.