Hatrack River Forum: Freedom

This is topic Freedom in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.

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Posted by Jenny Gardener (Member # 903) on :

Here's another idea that is powerful and real and affects people.

Describe what freedom means to you. What does freedome look like? Feel like? Smell like? What would you do for freedom? Tell stories about freedom and freedom fighters.

To me, freedom is dancing naked in a green field for the sheer joy of being in the spring sunshine. It is sharing my ideas and thoughts without being hurt physically or financially for them. It is reading whatever I want. It is bringing up my daughter without being forced to raise her in a particular way. It is choosing how I relate to the Divine. It is keeping my traditions without worrying if anyone else is keeping them and without being afraid I'll get in trouble for them. It is gathering together with friends and family and Hatrackers.

Posted by T. Analog Kid (Member # 381) on :

Freedom is our ability to choose inspite of whatever coercion or dire straits we find ourselves subject to. It is that my will is my own and I always have the option to go with the flow or resist it.

The ultimate example of freedom for me is Mel gibson's portrayal of William Wallace (I do not profess to know the "real" William Wallace)-- the courage to be who I am in the face of all the forces in the world brought to bear.

But I like yours, too, Jenny [Smile]

Posted by Jenny Gardener (Member # 903) on :

'Course you do. I said "naked". [Taunt]

I also think freedom has to do with spending my money on what I choose to spend it on.

I'm free associating here.

And TAK, I think your post is better than mine, and truer.

Posted by T. Analog Kid (Member # 381) on :

not truer... just two sides of the same coin...

what would you fight for if not the vision? and what would the fight be without the vision?

In short, naked Jenny Gardener is the only reason people fight...

wait a minute, that's not right [Confused]

Posted by Destineer (Member # 821) on :

As I said in Robespierre's thread:

quote:

Freedom is the ability to do what you want, to take what actions you wish to take. If you desire to go to Wisconsin, freedom is the ability to go to Wisconsin; if you desire a cupcake, freedom is the opportunity to eat a cupcake.

Posted by Suneun (Member # 3247) on :

"Freedom is the right to be wrong, not the right to do wrong." - John Diefenbaker

Posted by Book (Member # 5500) on :

This isn't about overall freedom but it's still funny.

quote:
People demand freedom of speech as a compensation for the freedom of thought which they seldom use.
-Soren Kierkegaard (1813 - 1855)

Posted by Phanto (Member # 5897) on :

Freedom is being able to do almost whatever I want, say almost whatever I want, and think whatever I want.

I would die for it.

(((Jenny Gardener)))

Posted by jeniwren (Member # 2002) on :

Freedom is the awareness that I could make all sorts of choices, choices to do wrong, choices to do right, and with that awareness, consciously, with a mind full of the knowledge that I could choose wrong, choosing to do right.

Which means that freedom to me is the choice to eat a carrot stick instead of a cookie, when I REALLY want the cookie. [Smile]

Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :

Freedom is about living in such a way that not only are you content, but you can make all others content too.
Freedom is being able to live in such a way that you can mae your soul shine like a diamond so all others around you do the same and make the world how it should be...
Then we inheret are birthright.

Posted by cochick (Member # 6167) on :

"But what is Freedom, Rightly understood,
A universal licence to be good."
Hartley Coleridge (eldest son of Samuel Taylor Coleridge)

"Il se faut reserver une arriere boutique toute notre, toute franche, en laquelle nous etablissons notre vraie liberte et principale retraite et solitude."
Montaigne

translation: "A man should keep for himself a little back shop, all his own, quite unadulterated, in which he establishes his true freedom and chief place of seclusion and solitude."

Posted by JonnyNotSoBravo (Member # 5715) on :

Sounds like Walden.

Is that freedom rock, man? Then turn it up!

Posted by Teshi (Member # 5024) on :

Freedom: Being all alone in the wind on top of a tall green mountain.

Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :

Freedom, to me, exists independently of virtue. I am free if I am able to do what I wish, regardless of my limitations or my ethics.

Consequently, no one is TRULY free -- and nor should they be, as the expression of true freedom would in fact represent the annihilation of society.