You can't put a price on freedom
Those who put prices on everything hate freedom. They even go as far as to claim it does not even exist. “Freedom isn't free,” they say. But if not freedom itself, what could possibly be free?
Are you free? Or have you been conditioned into selling yourself. Do you have any free time or has economic slavery taught you that ‘time is money'? Do you command your destiny or are you selling it to the highest bidder? Are you living freely or do you feel bought and sold in system of control and coercion that you can't escape?
To those of you who say we live in the ‘free world' I challenge you to answer one question; how can we possibly be free while being simultaneously ruled?
We can never be free so long as we let their rules dictate how we live our lives.
But while cops enforce the rule of capitalist exploitation, the financial system that traps and exploits the world is collapsing. We need to evacuate this structure right now so we are not crushed under it as it all comes down. Industrial capitalism crashing doesn't need to be the horrible catastrophe portrayed by banks, media and political leaders. In fact this presents us with a golden opportunity to bring about real change. Industrial collapse is the only way to stop ecological collapse and mass extinction on this planet. And with their machines grinding to a halt and their system crashing and burning we will have the power to choose what to replace it with.
A better world is possible, and a better opportunity to create it is unlikely. A better world isn't going to create itself, real change means real action. The time is right to strike at this sign of weakness and go on the offensive. Where they divide us and pit us against each other we must unite against them instead. We must share resources and find solidarity and common cause with each other so that cooperation and mutual aid can replace domination and exploitation in all our social relations.
Emancipated from the economic slavery of the free market and industrial capitalism we can create a society that is far more joyous and liberating for all. Wouldn't you rather give freely than feel taken from? Wouldn't you rather receive gifts than shop? Wouldn't you rather live more and work less? All this is possible and more. It's no wonder that those who scare you into believing otherwise are the ones with the most to lose. They are afraid of you for their power rests on your shoulders and you can shake them off at any moment.
Economic collapse scares most people because it means immediate mass layoffs, foreclosures, and depression. But with factories closing up everywhere, workers can seize control of the means of production, fire their bosses, and create more democratic working environments that put people before profit. With their economic system in turmoil we can challenge it's very foundation and authority. We can defend our homes, and the homes of our neighbours, from being foreclosed on by banks and evicted by police. If we can push the banks and their monetary system into a complete collapse instead of just a ‘depression', all our mortgages would cease to exist, and so would rent.'
Without money to determine exchange value, people will be free to produce what they want and share it with others freely in a gift economy. We will find out that there IS enough for everyone once we all stop hoarding out of fear, and start sharing our time, skills, and resources out of love for one another.
There is a reason that many spiritually and intellectually advanced people refuse to own possessions. Ownership is reciprocal. What you own ends up owning you. We become possessed by our possessions and the more we have the more we want. Real freedom is the freedom to give.
This Friday, Novemeber 28, you are invited to exercise this freedom at the ‘Really Really Free Market' in Forwell Hall. Bring whatever you feel free to give. Whether it's your time, your talents, your energy, food or material resources. Come give, and be given, gifts. There will be an open mic for artists to share their talents. There will be dozens of tables set up for people to display their services and things, and everything leftover will be donated to the Sharing Shop.
By instituting a gift economy we provide for each other's needs as this economic system crashes, and show those who put prices on everything that our lives are priceless, and that freedom is indeed free.
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
Are you free? Or have you been conditioned into selling yourself. Do you have any free time or has economic slavery taught you that ‘time is money'? Do you command your destiny or are you selling it to the highest bidder? Are you living freely or do you feel bought and sold in system of control and coercion that you can't escape?
To those of you who say we live in the ‘free world' I challenge you to answer one question; how can we possibly be free while being simultaneously ruled?
We can never be free so long as we let their rules dictate how we live our lives.
But while cops enforce the rule of capitalist exploitation, the financial system that traps and exploits the world is collapsing. We need to evacuate this structure right now so we are not crushed under it as it all comes down. Industrial capitalism crashing doesn't need to be the horrible catastrophe portrayed by banks, media and political leaders. In fact this presents us with a golden opportunity to bring about real change. Industrial collapse is the only way to stop ecological collapse and mass extinction on this planet. And with their machines grinding to a halt and their system crashing and burning we will have the power to choose what to replace it with.
A better world is possible, and a better opportunity to create it is unlikely. A better world isn't going to create itself, real change means real action. The time is right to strike at this sign of weakness and go on the offensive. Where they divide us and pit us against each other we must unite against them instead. We must share resources and find solidarity and common cause with each other so that cooperation and mutual aid can replace domination and exploitation in all our social relations.
Emancipated from the economic slavery of the free market and industrial capitalism we can create a society that is far more joyous and liberating for all. Wouldn't you rather give freely than feel taken from? Wouldn't you rather receive gifts than shop? Wouldn't you rather live more and work less? All this is possible and more. It's no wonder that those who scare you into believing otherwise are the ones with the most to lose. They are afraid of you for their power rests on your shoulders and you can shake them off at any moment.
Economic collapse scares most people because it means immediate mass layoffs, foreclosures, and depression. But with factories closing up everywhere, workers can seize control of the means of production, fire their bosses, and create more democratic working environments that put people before profit. With their economic system in turmoil we can challenge it's very foundation and authority. We can defend our homes, and the homes of our neighbours, from being foreclosed on by banks and evicted by police. If we can push the banks and their monetary system into a complete collapse instead of just a ‘depression', all our mortgages would cease to exist, and so would rent.'
Without money to determine exchange value, people will be free to produce what they want and share it with others freely in a gift economy. We will find out that there IS enough for everyone once we all stop hoarding out of fear, and start sharing our time, skills, and resources out of love for one another.
There is a reason that many spiritually and intellectually advanced people refuse to own possessions. Ownership is reciprocal. What you own ends up owning you. We become possessed by our possessions and the more we have the more we want. Real freedom is the freedom to give.
This Friday, Novemeber 28, you are invited to exercise this freedom at the ‘Really Really Free Market' in Forwell Hall. Bring whatever you feel free to give. Whether it's your time, your talents, your energy, food or material resources. Come give, and be given, gifts. There will be an open mic for artists to share their talents. There will be dozens of tables set up for people to display their services and things, and everything leftover will be donated to the Sharing Shop.
By instituting a gift economy we provide for each other's needs as this economic system crashes, and show those who put prices on everything that our lives are priceless, and that freedom is indeed free.
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
