An article I wrote for NeoThink newsletter
Collectivism vs Individualism in the age of pandemic panic.
“A “collective” mind does not exist. It is merely the sum of endless numbers of individual minds. If we have an endless number of individual minds who are weak, meek, submissive and impotent – who renounce their creative supremacy for the sake of the “whole” and accept humbly that the “whole’s” verdict – we don’t get a collective super-brain. We get only the weak, meek, submissive and impotent collective mind.”
― Ayn Rand, The Journals of Ayn Rand
As the pandemic changes, largely by government force, the way we live our lives now and possibly into the future I am amazed at the people who are willing to give up not only their freedoms, but those of future generations.
The government has made edicts, imposed or threatened to impose fines and penalties on citizens and businesses they deem non-essential and closed down commerce world-wide all in the name of keeping us safe. But can it be enforced without the peoples cooperation? If non-essential businesses say enough is enough and open despite state or local proclamations, what will ‘they’ do? What if the people decide to start patronizing their favorite restaurant and sit at a table within a few feet of another table? Go to the local mom and pop shoe store? Stop going to Walmart, Costco, Target etc., and instead shop only at the locally owned small businesses? Go out in public without wearing a mask? What can ‘they’ do? How many fines and penalties can be imposed, and will the prosecutors even prosecute so many business owners and patrons? If people stand up and defy the orders the system could be overwhelmed, unlike the hospitals which, except for a few in high density urban areas were not. Civil rights lawyers could have a field day.
The thing that alarms me the most is our fellow citizens that are turning in neighbors for not wearing masks, or playing ball in the park with their kids, or paddle boarding by themselves in the ocean without government permission. When did we become a nation of tattletales and scaredy cats? A nation of collectivist? As Ayn Rand stated, collectivism holds that individuals have no rights and man must be chained to the group action and thought for ‘the common good’. Only, the idea of a “common good” is a myth. It always boils down to the good of some individuals at the expense of others. Collectivism is built on a lie. Does the government, or my neighbor know what is better for me and my physical and financial health than I do? The answer is no. I have a right to make my own choices, just as you have a right to make your own. Want to wear a mask, do it. Don’t want to, then don’t. Your choice. My choice. Not the government’s or my neighbor’s business or choice.
I agree that the vulnerable in our society should be protected, but not at the expense of making the rest of us vulnerable to financial destitution.
I agree with Ayn Rand; “An individualist is a man who says: “I will not run anyone’s life—nor let anyone run mine. I will not rule nor be ruled. I will not be a master nor a slave. I will not sacrifice myself to anyone—nor sacrifice anyone to myself.”
Are you a thinking individual or a non-thinking collectivist? Choose well.
“A “collective” mind does not exist. It is merely the sum of endless numbers of individual minds. If we have an endless number of individual minds who are weak, meek, submissive and impotent – who renounce their creative supremacy for the sake of the “whole” and accept humbly that the “whole’s” verdict – we don’t get a collective super-brain. We get only the weak, meek, submissive and impotent collective mind.”
― Ayn Rand, The Journals of Ayn Rand
As the pandemic changes, largely by government force, the way we live our lives now and possibly into the future I am amazed at the people who are willing to give up not only their freedoms, but those of future generations.
The government has made edicts, imposed or threatened to impose fines and penalties on citizens and businesses they deem non-essential and closed down commerce world-wide all in the name of keeping us safe. But can it be enforced without the peoples cooperation? If non-essential businesses say enough is enough and open despite state or local proclamations, what will ‘they’ do? What if the people decide to start patronizing their favorite restaurant and sit at a table within a few feet of another table? Go to the local mom and pop shoe store? Stop going to Walmart, Costco, Target etc., and instead shop only at the locally owned small businesses? Go out in public without wearing a mask? What can ‘they’ do? How many fines and penalties can be imposed, and will the prosecutors even prosecute so many business owners and patrons? If people stand up and defy the orders the system could be overwhelmed, unlike the hospitals which, except for a few in high density urban areas were not. Civil rights lawyers could have a field day.
The thing that alarms me the most is our fellow citizens that are turning in neighbors for not wearing masks, or playing ball in the park with their kids, or paddle boarding by themselves in the ocean without government permission. When did we become a nation of tattletales and scaredy cats? A nation of collectivist? As Ayn Rand stated, collectivism holds that individuals have no rights and man must be chained to the group action and thought for ‘the common good’. Only, the idea of a “common good” is a myth. It always boils down to the good of some individuals at the expense of others. Collectivism is built on a lie. Does the government, or my neighbor know what is better for me and my physical and financial health than I do? The answer is no. I have a right to make my own choices, just as you have a right to make your own. Want to wear a mask, do it. Don’t want to, then don’t. Your choice. My choice. Not the government’s or my neighbor’s business or choice.
I agree that the vulnerable in our society should be protected, but not at the expense of making the rest of us vulnerable to financial destitution.
I agree with Ayn Rand; “An individualist is a man who says: “I will not run anyone’s life—nor let anyone run mine. I will not rule nor be ruled. I will not be a master nor a slave. I will not sacrifice myself to anyone—nor sacrifice anyone to myself.”
Are you a thinking individual or a non-thinking collectivist? Choose well.
