In order to elucidate the visual illustration provided above, I am inclined to recollect a dream from my past, which has left an indelible impression on me. Within this dream, I distinctly recall a peculiar and enigmatic rhyme that inexplicably came to me. Without understanding its significance at that time, I instinctively jotted it down, unaware of its potential purpose. Nevertheless, today offers a propitious occasion to revisit this recollection.
An adder would slither up a ladder To eat a snail inside his gilded jail, An adder, sly and sly Climbs a ladder, reaching for the sky, The ladder stretches tall and wide Like a bridge between worlds, it invites curiosity to abide, With every twist and turn, the adder ascends, His determination never bends, Up and up he goes, with grace and precision His movement fluid, defying any derision, Each rung he conquers, with a flick of his tail Bringing him closer to the snail in his jail, Inside the jail, the snail awaits Unaware of the adder's stealthy fate, In his shell, with false safety he would contemplate Unaware of the danger that lies in wait.
Before I begin I would like to point out the following post which is the inspiration for this. I suggest you familiarize yourself with that content first. Thanks to
The above post examines the evolving societal emphasis on safety during the past few decades. Therein posits that safety has taken on the characteristics of an obsession and even a religion. Genuine and lasting safety cannot be attained by solely fixating on it as the utmost priority. It is argued that a certain degree of peril is essential for individual growth and the cultivation of resilience. Although safety holds significance, the complete abandonment of other virtues such as freedom and awareness in the pursuit of eradicating all forms of risk is not advocated. One intriguing observation suggests that those who passionately advocate for safety measures may be driven not solely by genuine concern for safety, but rather by deep-rooted feelings of guilt or a desire for control over others. Their objective is to alleviate personal guilt or exert authority rather than enhance overall safety.
The Pendulum of Existence: Oscillating Between Order and Autonomy
In certain aspects, it is possible to strike a delicate equilibrium between autonomy and security, albeit occasionally and infrequently. The perpetual interplay between the attraction towards stability and the irresistible allure of independence characterizes the essence of the human condition. Society builds intricate structures such as legal systems, cultural conventions, and individual routines as safeguards against the unpredictability of the unfamiliar. However, even within these strongholds of familiarity, a restlessness emerges. We long for uncharted territories and limitless expanses where genuine self-realization thrives, even if it means facing the innate vulnerability of unexplored frontiers.
This inherent conflict presents a crucial point of decision: should we withdraw even more into the stronghold of regulation, disregarding the boundless potentials of independence in favor of the seemingly reassuring state of predetermined organization? Alternatively, should we dare to explore beyond the fortified walls, navigating the unfamiliar territory of self-governance, even if it entails embracing the inevitable uncertainties? The paradox lies in the understanding that prioritizing safety, paradoxically, does not assure its achievement. Unrestrained fear creates a perpetual confinement, where anxieties and hypothetical threats serve as the building blocks of its walls. This restricts our experiences, hampers our ability to develop, and ultimately exposes us to a different type of danger – the stagnation of our inner selves.
However, embracing independence should not be misconstrued as heedless recklessness. It necessitates adopting a discerning methodology comprising calculated ventures, well-informed decisions, and an astute comprehension that personal evolution frequently calls for venturing into uncharted territory. Such an approach necessitates acknowledging the inherent vulnerability that comes with pushing one's limits, appreciating that within this vulnerability lies the prospect of profound enlightenment, tremendous satisfaction, and a truly meaningful existence.
Recognizing our inherent potential and understanding the profound challenges we encounter, along with the courageous choices we make, empowers us to create our own destinies. Consequently, the pursuit of a static equilibrium between security and autonomy should be abandoned. Instead, we must embrace the dynamic qualities of this intricate human pendulum.
Ultimately, our goal should not be attaining a flawless equilibrium, but rather embarking on a transformative quest to find it. This endeavor encompasses the understanding that the utmost sense of security may reside in repeatedly opting for freedom.
The Gilded Trap
Initially, the lure of a trap may possess a captivating element, but the gravest peril lies in the deceptive notion of liberation it instills within an individual. Succumbing to this false perception of freedom inevitably leads to forsaking one's foundational principles of liberty, thereby paving the way to ensnarement within any trap.
The enchanting melody of the siren, with its mesmerizing hypnotism into that of solace, ultimately guides the way to a disastrous shipwreck. The "snare of false safety" is present within the deceptive nature of traps. It astutely capitalizes on our innate desire for stability, while disregarding the potential risks that come with embracing freedom, enticing us with an alluring illusion of protection against harm.
The corroded bear trap entices with reassurance, urging us to remain within its clutches as a means of safeguarding against the perils of the wilderness. Similarly, the embellished confinement of addiction quietly suggests liberation from the apprehensions of the vast expanse of possibilities. Even societal expectations, cleverly disguised as societal norms and moral compasses, possess the ability to mislead us into perceiving them as the sole avenues to acceptance and a sense of belonging. The peril rests in the subtle essence of this deceit.
We forfeit our independence, our ability to discover, to make mistakes, to genuinely experience life, all in return for the assumed safety provided by this snare. We become bound to its mirage, slowly forfeiting the determination and consciousness required to liberate ourselves. The grip of the bear trap intensifies, the bars of the cage grow thicker, the societal conformity solidifies, and we discover ourselves not merely shielded, but incarcerated.
Another common deception often begins with the assertion, "Think of the children!" Yet, astonishingly, the very same faction that employed this startup lie has disregarded the prospects of future generations by relinquishing control to foreign bankers. Their reckless indulgence with fiscal resources is conducted without any sense of responsibility. The origin of such troubles can be traced back to some generation that failed to recognize that in matters of politics, freedom surpasses safety in significance.
An entity such as the governing body, wielding the authority to completely deprive individuals of their liberty, will ultimately instill a sense of security within them, only to eventually strip away both their sense of safety and freedom.
What it Means to Seek Freedom's Wild Embrace
It is important for us to acknowledge the bravery and audacity of our ancestors who constructed remarkable creations and established vast empires. Their lives were marked by danger and uncertainty. However, living dangerously does not imply recklessness or foolishness, as consciously exposing ourselves to obvious risks goes against logic. Instead, it entails recognizing that the path to a fulfilling life involves accepting and tackling the risks that are inherent in any substantial advancement or achievement.
In order to fully understand the overwhelming nature of excessive focus on safety, it is necessary to explore the fundamental concept of freedom, which, apart from simply being free from restrictions, encompasses a dynamic balance between opportunities and risks.
Imagine a meticulously protected existence shielded from all conceivable dangers, residing within a carefully constructed routine that expertly anticipates and neutralizes every potential harm. Although apprehension may indeed diminish in such a scenario, so does the essential catalyst for individual growth: the presence of uncertainty that breeds curiosity, the obstacles that foster resilience, and the uncharted territories that allure exploration.
When contemplating the virtuoso sculptor, who meticulously adjusts their chisel over a block of raw stone, one must acknowledge their readiness to embrace the uncertainty that comes with crafting an imperfect creation, despite the substantial exertion it entails. Nonetheless, it is in this venture that the potential for an astonishing masterpiece emerges, born from the delicate interplay between deliberate intention and fortuitous happenstance. It is at this juncture that the notion of excessive prudence ultimately severs the vital link, for it offers an immaculately sanitized result devoid of the transmutative potency that springs solely from daring undertakings.
Furthermore, residing in a perpetual state of security entails relinquishing our capacity to engage in proactive measures and exercise judgment, a quintessential prerequisite for leading a truly gratifying existence. In a scenario where every course of action is preordained and every outcome predetermined, we find ourselves reduced to mere actors constrained by a predetermined script. Consequently, our choices lose their profoundness as they transmute into mere inconsequential motions within an artificial and contrived reality.
In the story of Sisyphus, who was forever burdened with the task of tirelessly pushing a giant boulder up a hill, only to witness it ceaselessly roll back down. The true tragedy of Sisyphus lies not in the mere exertion of his physical strength, but rather in the complete and utter futility of his endeavors. In the same way, our relentless pursuit of ultra-safety could potentially lead us into a similar predicament, where we find ourselves trapped in a never-ending cycle of insignificant decisions, with no meaningful outcomes or repercussions to be found in our seemingly sterile world.
In order to achieve true liberation, it is essential to transcend not only external constraints but also internal fears. By succumbing to the seductive appeal of excessive security, we inadvertently subject ourselves to the oppressive dominion of our own anxieties. As a result, we not only build barriers externally but also erect impenetrable fortresses within our own beings, thus confining our essential life force within a self-imposed prison.
When an individual is confronted with such circumstances, their natural inclination towards potential freedom motivates them to overlook even social freedom, regardless of the potential repercussions, in their quest to liberate themselves from the constraints of their opulent yet restrictive surroundings.
Growth thrives in the fertile soil of unpredictability, dominance flourishes when confronted with options, and the ultimate liberation is not found in the absence of uncertainty, but in the bravery to embrace it wholeheartedly, with unbounded passion. It is solely within this realm, where possibility and danger intertwine, that our existence truly comes alive.
Life is either daring adventure or nothing.
— Seneca
In the end, the liberated individual, the Übermensch, when presented with the option of freedom versus security, will vehemently declare: Grant me liberty or grant me demise, for death in the pursuit of freedom surpasses a life spent in complacent shelter, comparable to a leader perishing on a ship that never embarks! In truth, can we rightfully bestow the title of "captain" upon such an individual that never set sail? Can we justifiably claim to be the rightful successors of the empires constructed by our forefathers, when all we truly desire is the facade of security -- a security that our ancestors gave up in order to bestow upon us these very privileges?
My god man, you are a word and concept artist... you wrote that all today? Absolutely beautiful and said way better than I ever could have... Thank you so very kindly. I will have to re-read it.
I have recently been reading the 2012 book “The Flame of Eternity - An Interpretation of Nietzsche’s Thought”. Michalski is hailed not just for his analytical power, but for the beauty of his prose. And I dare say... you are not that far off.
Remarkable. Thank you.