Freedom and liberty are essential conditions for healthy and meaningful existence

Good evening fellow Steemians,

In everyday life, I have taken freedom and liberty for granted because I assume that these conditions would be with me always. There are no reasons to think otherwise, for example, I don't expect my friends or neighbours to tell me what clothes I must wear, or what food I must eat. With common sense, I would not dream of telling other people what to do, say, write, or think. So, likewise I assume that other people would respect my rights of liberty and freedom.

I am not talking about life in the military or in detention centers or in special condition of captivity whether legitimate or illegal. Under hostile and threatening circumstances, it is necessary to obey orders or instructions in order to preserve life and safety.

In social life, people may try to influence one's behavior by using law enforcement, public rules, peer pressure, friendly persuasion, emotional and psychological manipulation (such as monetary benefits or social recognition), including social boycott and sanction. People have different considerations on how to negotiate these subtle social cues, depending on the tradeoffs and perceived incentives. The punishment systems could range from character assassination, condemnation, excommunication, and rejection from social club, etc. The reward for behaving according to orders or instructions can range from monetary benefits, power or status to psychological gratifications.

The importance of freedom and liberty can be pointedly appreciated when one has been deprived of these conditions. For an extreme example, a dictator may take over my village and start a curfew, forbid political gathering and debates. A more subtle example may be a social media channel may start to demand personal details such as finger prints in exchange for continuing free access. A group of users may enforce special rules for specific ethnic group to adopt traditional tribal rules for communication. The enforcement of rules or regulations which have not been through the process of debate and discussion in order to arrive at a consensus will invite resistance and resentment from 'freedom fighters'.

The subtle war for domination can go on quietly depending on various factors. Each society or culture seems to have their own mechanism for keeping the norms and dealing with black sheep. But, there are revolutions and reactions in response to pressurization process; paradigm shift will occur through time and gestation periods. However, people who love freedom and liberty will not comply, unless their lives are threatened, with the imposition of rules or regulations that control their freedom of expression and to choose how to live their everyday life. The restriction of personal liberty in writing, thinking, seeking truth and knowledge will obstruct the wholesome process of intellectual and spiritual development.

No animals like to be put in a cage. Likewise no human being likes to be put into a cage (whether it is a physical, intellectual, emotional, or traditional cage).
How animals appreciate freedom when freed from a cage! They were often helpless against their human captives or master (like in a circus).
People will always rise against the oppressors, because freedom and liberty are essential to meaningful life and human aspiration.

This is a nice video of wild horses being returned to the wild nature.

Circus lion freed to walk of grass.

Wishing you all peace, liberty and freedom!

Cheers.