Thread by @ZemanLynnZ

Why Freedom Became Free-Dumb in America

This is THE best piece I have ever read about why Americans’ idea of freedom is so different from the rest of the world and so toxic:

“These two notions of freedom couldn’t be more different. eand.co/why-freedom-be…

Freedom in America, free-dumb, is about not having to ever engage with the struggle of being human — just go out and be as selfish as you please.

Carry a gun to Starbucks.
Don’t wear a mask.
Don’t let anyone have healthcare, including yourself.

The vicious cycle goes on.

Freedom in Canada and Europe, though, is totally opposite to this: it’s about having the basics, so you can engage with the higher struggles, the struggles for love, self-definition, truth, beauty, purpose — and therefore reach a much, much higher plateau as a human being.”

Then Trump, the #POTUS who let #Covid spin out of control, and make our country one of the world’s worst Covid hotspots.

What the?

The rest of the world is staggered by all that, because it is staggering. How many twisted levels of illogic are even in there? Too many to count.

In mostly red states, Americans have become martyrs for a certain idea of freedom. They are willing to sacrifice anything, including themselves, families, health, wealth, futures, towns, cities, and their democracy.

What good is freedom if it’s just the right to self-destruct?

America became obsessed with free-dumb: idea of freedom as removal of all restraint, the right to harm others, the ability to do anything you please, no matter how destructive, toxic, foolish, or inane.

#COVID19 is a jaw-dropping example of it.

The right to “believe” #Covid doesn’t exist, the right not to have to wear a mask, the right not to have to lock down.

All these effectively add up to the idea that Americans should be free to infect anyone they please with a lethal disease.

What on earth?

Majority thinks Freedom is right not to have to cooperate, to invest, to act for common wealth or common good

America is only rich society in the world that doesn’t have effectively any public goods? No functioning healthcare, retirement, higher education... because of free-dumb

Hard look at Americans’ behavior during #Covid. It’s been shocking and abysmal.

Not all Americans, but America as a society acted selfishly, ignorantly, cruelly with us w/ world’s worst Covid numbers?

Precisely because we wouldn’t cooperate w/ lockdowns/masks or demand them