2002.02/08 Living Freedom Mission

EXCERPTED FROM MESSAGE TO CANDACE YOUNG

} Hi Kim - I took a look at your web page and different comments popped in my
} head as I read, some of which I did not capture for inclusion in this
} message but I will do my best.... 

Thanks.  I appreciate you taking the time to look it over.

} Overall, the idea of a mission for cultural exchange appeals to my sense
} and experience of the world. My empathy, sense of adventure and joy have
} been expanded greatly through travel and exposure to the wideness and
} vastness of human existence. The mere fact that there are other places out
} there where things are done differently somehow helps me feel more alive. 
} It helps me feel there does exist another better (?) way. (Probably because
} my life's work addresses social problems that result from the American
} lifestyle - capitalism?? - which is, ironincally, often seen as the
} ultimate dream of people outside it). 

Cultural exchange is indeed a good thing.  Looking back on my own life I've
discovered that some of the most rewarding experiences that I've had were
when I travelled to foreign countries.

The others were, of course, in bed.  Perhaps the best was being in bed in a
foreign country.  ;-)

} This said... I am not sure how freedom, equality, injustice will be
} furthered through this exchange. The exchange certainly could result in
} shared experience and the natural understaning that comes from living in
} another's culture, but will it result in living freedom? 

That's the $69 question.  ;-)  I propose that a program specifically
designed to do so could, in fact, successfully engender a working knowledge
of freedom, etc. in the missionaries.  (That's both foreign and domestic,
btw.)  A consistent message about freedom, etc. would need to be formulated
(in order to be promulgated) and I believe that being able to communicate
that effectively would cause people to consider the message in their own
lives.

} Couldn't it be argued (see 2nd reason under Introduction) that the "free
} world" has actually not experienced a rise in freedom - but rather become
} increasingly captive within the forms of our economic system and social
} organization?? The question is have we actually seen a decline in freedom
} that parallels the moral and spiritual decline?? 

It could indeed.  In fact, in Escape From Freedom, Erich Fromm suggests that
with the rise of real freedom has also come real anxiety, in particular
feelings of isolation and powerlessness.  The typical response that people
have it to escape from these feelings, and hence from freedom, in a variety
of ways.  One of the ways is to become a capitalist automaton: not worrying
about larger things and simply doing what they are told (to make money).
Another escape is to subsume oneself in a larger structure, say a social or
political organization, and follow the "party line".

However, a fundamental difference between the US and the third world is that
American citizens have the _opportunity to be free if they so choose_,
whereas others do not.  It is definitely the case that a great many people
escape from freedom in the US, but the freedom is still there.  One would
hope that the LFM would have a twofold benefit: not only in promoting freedom
worldwide, but also reinvigorating the free people of the world to actively
choose freedom in their lives.

Lastly, I would mention in passing that no small degree of how captive we are
lies in our own reactivity / proactivity.  For those who (for whatever
reason) let the world act on them, they are indeed captive no matter what
system they exist within.  For those that are proactive, the free world is
their oyster.  I've been jobless about as much as I've been working, and I'd
have to say that my life has been just as rich without an occupation as with
one.  And it has certainly been better having let go of the need for better
material things (which fuels the cycle that keeps people earning more money
and thus captive to the economy).

Whew!  Anyway, what are your thoughts on this?  Do you think people are
free but are escaping, or are they really not free to choose?

} The other question is related to the evolution of revolution. How will this
} occur?? Is it possible people from the U.S. will go to developing countries
} and feel lucky to have McD's and Coca-Cola on every corner and that people
} from less free countries will think that is the lifestyle they want
} too. Fries and Coke Now!! Freedom for us too, dammit!! 
}
} Sometimes it feels like we are caught up in capitalism, literally, and
} cannot stop the monster even if we begin to acknowledge its downfalls. 
} Simiarly other countries have a love-hate relationship with the U.S. 
} They hate us, but don't they really wish to be us - seemingly omnipotent 
} with endless resources and wealth?? 

Hmmm...  there is definitely a love-hate thing there.  People love the luxury
but hate the system that creates it (and sometimes the people that make it,
too!).  In fact, it touches on a deep topic of concern, namely whether people
in general want capability or results.  To bring freedom, etc. to the world
is giving them _capability_, the ability to create a system that will
create the same level of material wealth that we have, and it is an essential
form of empowerment.

However, there is a good argument that people really just want the _results_.
They don't want to make fries and Coke, they just want the stuff now.  In
fact, taken to the logical capitalist conclusion the third world shouldn't
invest in a productive infrastructure because developed nations are more
specialized in that task and therefore more efficient.  It's a concern to me
because that will maintain a fundamental economic divide: Marx was right
about the control of production.

In fact, just the other day I was having a talk about the average costs of
production.  Entire digital watches can be stamped and molded for about
twenty cents, and that cost drops every year.  Soon the actual product cost
to create things will be so low it won't make economic sense for
non-developed countries to compete in that arena.  Which I guess means that
they would have to compete in others...  Hmmm...

So what about you?  Do you love-hate relationship with the US yourself?  The
idea that there are things "bigger than us" is rather widespread.  Whether
it's capitalism, or corporations, or human nature, or "the way the world
works" it's easy to feel powerless against these big things.  And therefore
not to act to change them.

I believe that when one can make the connection between the large scale and
the small scale then there is the possibility not only of effective change
but also personal fulfillment.  People want to feel part of something larger,
important, sometimes even bold, but the problem is _they don't know what to
do to achieve the big goal_.  If you can reduce a big goal to manageable
actions and the connection is clear, then you can harness the power inherent
in the populace.

So to illustrate, bringing freedom to the third world is too big.  It's
daunting.  And no one can do it.  But hosting people in your home for a year
and then travelling a year abroad is something people know how to do.  It's
manageable.  And everyone can do it.  Moreover, if people see the connection
between the two then they are _involved_.  They are contributing.  They are
making that big thing happen.  One person at a time.

Meaningful social change occurs in small directed increments that add to a
huge result.  In the words of Knight Rider: One man can make a difference.

} Lastly, while I don't usually split hairs over the man/woman wording, I
} think in defining equality it is probably more genuine to use both or state
} human beings or something. (or get the guys thinking and use the female
} gender!!) ;) 

Doh!  Let me amend the words of Knight Rider: One being of non-specified
gender, creed, color, race, age, or sense of humor can make a difference.
;-)

} Thanks for getting the juices flowing - I studies a lot of this as a
} political science major. I would like to suggest reading "Pedagogy of the
} Oppressed" by Paulo Freire (first published @ 1970, since published in
} various editions). Also another very influential book for me was "Small is
} Beautiful" by E.F. Schumacher. I think these sources would help contribute
} to your thinking. 

Thanks!  I'll pick them up as soon as I have a job.  Right now all my money
is going to food nowadays.  8^O

} On a personal note, things are kind of just moving along these days. I find
} myself concerned that when people say how are you? or what's new? I don't
} have much to say. While things might feel bright and optimistic (especially
} since Matias is in my life), I find there is a cloud hanging over things
} sometimes. I feel like I get caught up in the daily grind sometimes and miss
} the joy. Isn't this sentiment related to your Sharing Freedom Mission? 

Wowsers.  Why is there a cloud?  Do you feel tired with the repetition of the
daily grind?  Bored with the sameness?

As for the connection, people become energized and fulfilled by following a
cause, but there are other ways that we can feel joy and meaning, too.  I
guess each one of us needs to find the way that works for us and actively
pursue it.  Personally, I'm a pioneer missionary personality, so the zealous
life suits me well.  ;-)

} I cannot quite grasp what it is. I definitely feel nostalgic for ties of
} friendship that I associate with college and grad school (like having friends
} visit that drink all of your honey, playing bridge!!, etc.) It could be
} something deeper too - I just can't put my finger on it. 

When were the times that you did feel joyful?  Do you feel happy when you are
connected with other people?

} Well, I hope you will get something from these comments if not just a long,
} rich, thick email! Also hope things are going well for you. Tell more about
} those interesting women you mentioned..... 

Heh, heh, heh.  The "interesting women" is a whole 'nother e-mail in itself.
I'll send that to you as soon as I come up from the deluge that the LFM has
provoked.

} Miss you and hope to see you soon,

Same here.  I always have a great time hanging out with you.  Maybe you and
Matias should  get off your sorry asses and come out and visit CA!  ;-)