My first impulse is to define freedom and its meaning by listing those things i do with it. Nice things to talk about, sure, but they don’t answer the question. Not really, anyway.
What freedom means to me is that i have the ability to choose. I can direct my life however i see fit. I only have to make sure that my choices align with my values and my standards.
Freedom means possessing the capacity for self-direction.
Freedom means having power over, and responsibility for, your actions.
What is your favorite holiday? Why is it your favorite?
I don’t really have a favorite holiday; none of them mean what they used to. And this applies in general and to me personally.
I literally think of holidays as just another day. I don’t get excited or solemn like i used to. And it’s more than just growing up.
Modern society has drained the meaning and power of what these holidays represent.
Memorial Day, for example, used to be a serious day where you remember the fallen and support the vets still with us. Now, it’s a corporate free for all of ‘huge discounts’ on inflated prices, and is all about the bottom line.
Thanksgiving was about being grateful and setting differences aside. Now, it’s all about Black Friday Deals.
And for the record, there was never a peep about Christmas until santa appeared at the end of the Macy’s thanksgiving parade. Now, you start seeing or hearing about it in fucking October.
Everyone is in such a god damned rush to get to the next reason to spend money or get gifts or drink beer at a bbq, that we’ve forgotten about the things that actually give our lives meaning.
Does passing out in the grass next to a fire pit count?
If not, then no, not really. I’ve been to different campgrounds, but i always slept in a camper. To me, that’s kinda cheating and not truly ‘camping’. i see sleeping on the ground as a requirement for a real camping trip.
What place in the world do you never want to visit? Why?
My first thought was the magma chamber of a volcano. Because, well, being alive is nice.
Then i realized the intent of the question was likely social visitation and cultural differences and shit.
In that case….
Times Square. Because – a shit ton of people, cars, noise, lights, distractions. My nervous system would fuckin’ melt or something… Way too much input.
Are we assuming that my basic needs are addressed? If not, then none really, at least not more than odd jobs for loved ones. If i gotta make money to survive, i’m sure as hell not giving away time someone would pay me for!
But if so? Research. Consulting. Being in a think tank… ya know, nerdy shit!
And for the record ‘writing’ is not included because that is a default behavior, and occurs regardless of my circumstances.