“The average man does not want to be free. He simply wants to be safe.” Food for thought isn’t it? This is a quote from H.L. Mencken, an American essayist who lived from 1880-1956. Mencken was known for his controversial opinions, many of which give a thought provoking view to our world. However, Mencken lived in a different era. Does his philosophy apply to modern society, and was it even true in the first place?
Throughout history, civilizations have fought for control and often freedom from oppressive governments. A great example of this would be the Revolutionary War, where the 13 colonies fought for independence from the British. Those colonies went on to form the United States of America, a country whose main ideology is freedom. It could be easily argued that the colonies were “safe” under the British. Provided protection from the Royal Navy, the colonies had little to fear. Why would these colonies which had a military who protected them from Indian attacks and any other enemies so badly want freedom? Because the government restricted their freedom economically through trade and taxation, as well as soldiers taking over homes and more. It was this lack of freedom that created the desire for independence. But that is only a single moment in history.
For thousands of years Democracy has been an example of freedom, going all the way back to the ancient Athenians in Greece. In recent years, democracy has helped set the standard of what are viewed as “first world” countries. Even so, H.L. Mencken was a vocal critic of democracy. Mencken stated “Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want, and deserve to get it good and hard.” This would be one of many criticisms against democracy and the idea that the common man has the intelligence to decipher how it should be governed. Another is “Democracy is a pathetic belief in the collective wisdom of individualignorance.” It is unsurprising that a philosopher who thought so little of the common man’s intelligence and ability to choose how to be governed, would be critical of man’s yearning for freedom, a yearning that is innate
Man’s desire for freedom is even seen in the coming of age. In the early stages of human development, the quintessential situation would be a child protected and raised by their parents. In this situation that child would be safe. All of its needs are taken care of by the parent. However, as humans mature, a desire for autonomy or “freedom” is developed. If man desired only safety, why would the desire to leave the safe haven of adolescence to pursue freedom be inherent?
On the other hand, in today’s culture are people free? At first glance it may seem so, however, that might not be the case. Technology has become far more prevalent in everyday lives over the last few decades, especially the last decade. That has taken away so much freedom. Think about this, most information taken in, which then forms opinions, comes through technology. A news article on a phone which has even the slightest bias can sway one’s opinion on a subject, even if it is not realized. An algorithm chose that article to recommend. Algorithms now form opinions and personality through what is read, watched and listened to. This could be easily used to manipulate the masses. At his trial for War Crimes in Nuremberg after World War Two, Albert Speer, Hitler’s former Minister of Armaments, explained the power of the Nazi’s propaganda machine saying “Through technical devices such as radio and loudspeaker 80 million people were deprived of independent thought. It was thereby possible to subject them to the will of one man…. Today the danger of being terrorized by technocracy threatens every country in the world.”
Americans want to feel safe, that’s a given, but is safety subjective? If Americans were asked whether they feel safe or not, it is most likely to get myriad answers. Likely the answers would be on a spectrum. Perhaps, an algorithm created those opinions through the content they absorb. How many opinions and values held dear, maybe political views, hobbies, etc. are all products of an algorithm? The perception of safety depends on freedom of thought.