By Bender Rize
We humans are a peculiar species. We crave freedom like air, yet without others, we feel unmoored. History shouts this truth at every turn—from the glow of ancient campfires to the towering skylines of today, we’ve always reached for one another. This pull isn’t just habit; it’s rooted deep within us, like a tree’s roots gripping the earth. And yet, somehow, it so often turns into shackles: taxes suffocate, rules dictate, and lending a hand becomes an obligation rather than a joy. I’m exhausted by it. Aren’t you?
Let’s imagine a world where we come together—not out of compulsion, but out of choice. Where generosity flows from the heart, not from decrees. I believe this is possible—here’s how.
Social Nature: A Blessing or a Burden?
Long ago, we learned to speak and tell stories—of gods, of heroes, of how “together we are strong.” These weren’t just words; they defined us. Scientists call it the cognitive revolution: we began spinning shared dreams that bound us together. Tribes became towns, towns became empires. But as our numbers grew, freedom was often the first casualty.
Think of the old villages—where people built bridges and homes together simply because that was the way of things. Then came rulers, taxes, wars—and what was once an act of goodwill turned into an obligation. Today, we pay a steep price for our social nature: bureaucracy decides for us while our hearts remain silent. But I believe we can reclaim that old spirit—where we help not because we must, but because we want to.
Freedom: Not Solitude, but Choice
Some say, “Tear down the rules! Every man for himself!” Libertarians long for a world without overlords or taxes. And I understand them—who doesn’t dream of a life free from interference? But this isn’t about isolation.
Think of 19th-century American farmers—they gathered at sundown, shared their harvest, built barns, all without officials meddling. Freedom doesn’t push us apart; it gives us the power to choose—to lend a hand or not, to come together or forge our own way. That’s the kind of life I dream of—where my “yes” is truly mine, not someone else’s.
My Vision: Community, Not Chains
Picture this. No sprawling state with endless laws and bureaucracies. Instead, small, self-reliant communities of 100-200 people. You and your neighbors make your own arrangements—planting crops, educating children, fixing roads. Markets still function, money still flows, but if someone falls on hard times—a bare pantry, a leaking roof—you don’t wait for orders from above. You step in because that’s just how things are, or simply because you can’t ignore it.
Does this sound too idealistic? Look at Kickstarter—people chip in to fund movies, games, even rescue animals, all without being forced. Or Wikipedia—thousands of minds have built a vast library of human knowledge, with no single boss in charge. This model works! And we could live this way too—if we choose to.
What’s Holding Us Back
Now, let’s snap back to reality—and it’s not a pretty sight. Socialism declares, “We’ll take care of everyone!” And yes, it gives the poor a shot—food, shelter, healthcare. That’s all well and good, I won’t argue. But at what price? Taxes consume your ambitions, regulations creep into every corner of your life. Bureaucrats decide who gets a slice of bread, and half of that loaf vanishes into their pockets—corruption in full bloom.
The result? Everyone gets flattened into “average”—no wealth, no brilliance, no room for those who simply want to stand out. Remember the Soviet-era lines for dull, gray coats? That wasn’t aid—that was a cage. I refuse to let my willingness to help be reduced to a stamped government form.
How to Break Free
I’ve turned this over in my mind countless times, and here’s what I’ve come up with:
- Live Closer – Let communities compete, like Swiss cities. Where people support each other more, where deals are fairer, people will naturally gravitate. No kings, no ministers—just choice.
- Awaken the Heart – After Japan’s tsunami, neighbors carried rice and blankets to each other—no orders, just instinct. That instinct is in all of us—we just need to let it breathe. Raise children to see kindness as natural as taking a breath.
- Technology Over Bureaucracy – Modern systems can track where school or hospital funds actually go. No murky backchannels, no middlemen. Some projects already send aid directly to those in need—no red tape, just results.
- Give People Wings – Let those who push forward receive cheers, not tax bills. Success should be fuel, not something to be punished.
What If It Fails?
Some will say, “People are selfish, they won’t help.” But I’ve seen volunteers sifting through fire-ravaged ruins at midnight—no orders, just because it had to be done. That’s inside us, like embers waiting to ignite.
Others will argue, “Without authority, the strong will trample the weak.” Maybe. But if you can leave for a better place, tyrants will be left with empty hands. Yes, we gravitate toward leaders—it’s in our blood, like wolves. But if thousands of people can write Wikipedia without a whip over their heads, then we can build a world without one too.
Where Do We Go from Here?
This isn’t just a dream—it’s a challenge. Massive systems drag us toward monotony and control. Socialism offers stability, but at the cost of the human spirit. Freedom is daunting, but without it, we’re nothing but shadows.
So let’s stop debating and start experimenting. Let some stick with the state while others create their own communities. Let the world become a patchwork of choices, and we’ll see which ones thrive.
Start with yourself. Help a friend—not because you were forced to, but because they matter. Gather your neighbors, solve something together—without waiting for permission from above. We’re pack animals, yes, but we have wings too. Let’s rise together and leave the whip where it belongs—buried in the past.
This isn’t a utopia—it’s a first step. Are you ready to take it?