Liberty = 1 .... Tyranny = 0

By Chris Rossini

​You've heard how our computers and electronic devices run on nothing but a bunch of 0's and 1's right?

Well, our minds work in a very similar way.

That's because ideas rule the world. 

Good ideas and bad ideas. 

Good ideas are those that are true, and bad ideas are those that are false. In order for man to survive and thrive, he needs to accept ideas that are true, and reject those that are false.

He must do this on his own. No one can do it for him.

Good ideas are those that are in line with human nature, while bad ideas try to change or alter nature. Since neither truth, nor nature, can be altered or reversed, it is a bad idea to try to do so. It can only produce bad results.

In this venue, we speak of Individual Liberty, which is an aspect of human nature. Liberty is a part of our individuality. It precedes anything like the formation of government, or any other man-made construction.

Individual liberty means the freedom to choose, and the #1 thing that we each individually choose for ourselves (at all times) is what we believe.

Let's put beliefs into computer terms. 

Let's say that 0 = Reject, and 1 = Accept.

Say that you believe and accept that the Earth is round. You reject that it is flat. So in your mind:

"Earth is flat" = 0.
"Earth is round" = 1.

This can be imagined for all of the beliefs, preferences and desires that we embrace. These beliefs influence how we see and interpret the world we live in. 

You will see things differently from a person who believes that the "Earth is flat." You will have no fears of reaching the "edge of the Earth, and falling off," while another person will have such fears.

In this example, you believe in a good idea that is true, while the person who believes that the "Earth is flat" believes in a bad idea, that is false. Belief in the false hinders his individual life for as long as he holds onto it. In that aspect of his life, he's not dealing with reality, but a fantasy.

But since every individual is by nature free, it means he is free to believe in bad ideas. He is so free that he can believe in ideas that can harm his life.

In this milieu, we argue that it is a good idea to accept individual liberty, voluntary interactions, and peace as the way that human beings should relate to one another. 

We believe that this is the truth, and that the truth cannot be altered or changed.

Since that is what we believe should be accepted, we concomitantly believe that people should reject tyranny, authoritarianism, and force as the way human beings should interact with one another.

In other words, to put it into computer terms again, we believe:

Tyranny = 0.
Liberty = 1.

In mankind's history, the dominant belief has been to accept tyranny, and reject liberty; to accept that someone else is responsible, and reject individual responsibility.

Because of this, countless numbers of people, both past and present, have hindered their lives greatly. They have not been dealing with reality, but a fantasy. They have suffered greatly as a result. And as long as tyranny is accepted and liberty rejected, they will continue to suffer, and greater still.

Now a quick knee-jerk reaction might be:

"Oh, this is easy! Just tell people the truth! Once they hear the truth about Liberty, they won't choose to believe in tyranny anymore. How could they?"

No..no..no...it's not that simple.

Even after hearing the truth, a person can still cling to the ideas of tyranny. 

Why is that?

Why knowingly accept that which is false?

Because even truth itself can be accepted or rejected. That's how free we are. We can hear the truth, understand the truth, and still reject it. That's how all-encompassing our individual liberty is.

Speaking the truth to others is an absolute necessity. Others surely won't believe in liberty without at least hearing about it first. But it must be spoken again, and again...generation after generation, century after century.

Look at the difference between the environment of America's founding and today. In the 1700's, liberty was a burning fire in heart of Americans. They breathed the freest air than perhaps any other people that has existed.

Today, the 0's and 1's are reversed. Many Americans are begging, (literally begging) for tyranny and authoritarianism.

The results must be what they must be. The truth cannot be altered, so suffering must be the result if a critical mass embrace this false belief. It would be such a pity for such a great nation to fall like so many of those before it.

But it has not happened yet. It is not written in stone either.

Like a computer, those 0's and 1's can be flipped back. Individuals can change at any moment in time.

That is why it's so important to accept that one can never speak enough about the value, virtue and beauty of Liberty.