Just because America touts itself as the “Home of the Free” (and quite often lately, the “Land of the Knave”), it does not mean that ANY thing can be ‘acceptable.’ I have been personally witnessing some “freedoms” recently that are incredibly disturbing. Freedom, without corresponding consequence evaluation is not freedom at all but more akin to chaos and anarchy. That is like saying that opinions are actually data, facts, information, knowledge, research, wisdom or truth. It has been said that “opinions are like buttholes; everyone has one and they ALL stink.”
Likewise, freedom in a vacuum is usually by assholes, for assholes and without any correlation to reality. Nothing exists in a vacuum and people who exert freedoms without comprehending the ‘connectivity’ to the greater world are woefully naïve. It has also been said that “if a butterfly flaps its wings in Seattle; there will be a breeze in Miami.” We just haven’t figured out how to measure that breeze…yet! So, if someone does something/anything just because one is ‘able’ to, it does not mean that “freedom” can/will be isolated (non-causal) in any way.
One of the most significant differences between Leaders and managers is the manner in which they utilize the concept of freedom, especially in Communications. Leaders respect the power that freedoms provide the same way that good swimmers respect the power of the ocean; the way good campers respect the power of fire; and the way that good sailors respect the power of the wind. In other words, one can never underestimate “Mother Nature,” nor can any person underestimate the effects of Communication when in a position of any ‘influence.’
Leaders (by definition) most always think and act in ways that are focused on the longest-term benefit for the most possible people concerned (which can never be everybody). Certainly not making self-serving decisions (except for ancillary/unintended benefits) and never “robbing Peter to pay Paul.” Managers, on the other (left) hand, tend to be myopic in their focus and usually almost narcissistic in their judgement.
Believing what is said and/or written is one of Human Nature’s “double-edged swords.” Most people want to believe that others in-charge are IN CHARGE because they can be trusted to communicate honestly, openly and truthfully. We come by that belief most probably from our Biblical culture. You know, “those who are given much, are responsible to give much back.” We genuinely want to believe that which is told to us by our parents, our teachers, our ministers, our coaches, our bosses, our journalists, our first-responders and yes, our politicians is Truth, not out-and-out fiction/fantasy (i.e., “LIES). We certainly had much more reason to believe those people/positions in past generations; that naïve gullibility has gradually given way to cynicism since the “Greatest Generation.” People have never been ‘perfect’ so, I do not mean to sound like a ‘grumpy’ old man, but I think it is safe to say that, on the continuum between Human and Divine, the last 75 years “freedoms” have not been very ‘angelic’ by any measure.
Otherwise, how could anyone have the ‘freedom’ to say that Sadam Hussein has “weapons of mass destruction” in Iraq and NOT face the unbearable consequences of being so wrong? How could so many media professionals have the “freedom” to tell us that Joe Biden was not the least bit diminished in his capacity to be our President for four years and yet not understand how much those lies ‘connected’ us all to tremendous vulnerabilities. Yet, that media has the same “freedom” power to spread countless untruths about President Trump without any culpability to speak of?
It seems to me that a lot of freedoms of speech are being exercised without any integrity, substantiation, responsibility or accountability. Furthermore, many of the purveyors of opinions are exploiting the genuine trusting nature of human beings. Freedom of thought expressed without evidence seems to be an extremely dangerous endeavor. Not everyone is willing or able to determine the veracity of communications and that is exactly what said purveyors are counting on. It reminds me of marketers knowing that a majority of people will leave money UN-used on “gift cards” or that only 5% of people will redeem the coupons which may have motivated a ‘purchase’ in the first place.
So, why are so many “freedoms” in America exercised without sufficient reflection, introspection or circumspection? There is certainly easy access to enough information to enlighten the ignorant, stimulate the passive, shock the complacent and confuse the non-discerning. I propose an explanation based on the adage that: “true intelligence can be measured by the ability to hold two, diametrically-opposed ideas in the mind at the same time.” A significant number of people CANNOT do that (hopefully they are blessed with “common sense”), and a significant number of people WILL NOT do that (the ones we must to watch out for).
God Bless those people who “cannot” do that since they are the meek and trusting souls who depend on their Leaders for guidance. Let us damn those who can process complex polemics and absorb complicated dilemmas BUT refuse to do so. For the most part, those people seems to be attracted to and concentrated in the world of politics. It must be the aphrodisiac of Power that they can’t resist. It reminds me of the old description of a ‘horny’ man who is thinking with his “little head” instead of with his “big head.” For the most part, politicians seems to use power unilaterally (ego) and not judiciously (with any conscience).
Otherwise, why can’t either party be gracious-enough “losers” to give the winning party enough time for a chance to succeed? Are they so childish as to let the entire country ‘suffer’ rather than “give credit where credit is due?” Perfect examples are: 1.) the issue of Immigration Policy whereby it should be clearly identified whether one is “legal” with ALL the rights of United States citizenship or “illegal” with NONE of those rights or 2.) an untenable, unsustainable American financial situation whereby the deficit and debt can only eventually ‘cripple’ every-body; every-mind; every-heart; every-soul which makes up the America “spirit!” One may be “free’ to suggest anything one wants but we are likewise free to think of it (them?) as stupid, selfish, short-sighted and disingenuous.
Maybe “Freedom” has never been, is not and will never be free but the ‘currency’ for freedom has certainly changed quite a lot in my lifetime. It used to be that thing like pride, humility and grace were the payments for our freedom. Those who abused those liberties were penalized (by others and SELF) with things like shame, ostracization or mortification. Since money (AND legal-loophole ‘abuse’) has almost totally replaced the character-building components of ethics, morals and dignity, the concept of “quantity” has obscured the more “qualitative” aspects of living values in the United States.
The Bottom Line lesson here is: “believe only HALF of what you see and NONE of what your hear/read.” The burden of trust has certainly shifted to the ‘recipient’ of the aforementioned freedoms. It is a lot of work to validate, verify, substantiate, corroborate, authenticate and confirm all of the ‘freedoms’ spewed on a daily basis but that is the only choice we now have. It was much easier for sure to just believe what ‘authorities’ told us, but that concept is as nostalgic as horse & buggy rides. As further evidence, I was watching a rerun of “The Waltons” (set in the 1930’s) recently and the live-in Grandma told her 13 year-old granddaughter on the way to school, “your slip is showing” (as a reason for concern/embarrassment). Contrast that modesty to the current ‘bragging’ on the “red-carpet” (that it is a badge of ‘honor’/publicity) when, “your nip is showing.”