Most of us think we have a fundamental human right to freedom. Many believe we have the right to water, the right to healthcare, or even the right to affordable housing and a ‘living wage’. Rights are appealing because they promise an easier life. We believe that without rights, life is a lawless, dangerous experience. Leaving us exposed to suffering and exploitation. Rights are guaranteed entitlements. But what in life is guaranteed? The sunrise? It's very, VERY likely the s

Authority is considered to be the ‘right’ to determine, adjudicate, command or control. But if rights don't exist, then nobody can possibly have the ‘right’ to command or control you. If all we have is the ability to respond to reality; to a world outside our control: Then we can only command or control ourselves. No intelligence, privilege or self belief gives anyone the right to command or control you. There is no authority above you, regardless of your status. You're not r

If rights don't exist, and there is no authority above you. And the same applies to everyone else. Then what is the law? Life is a constant, unmanageable negotiation between what everyone wants and what everyone else wants. So whose choice takes priority? There's no way to safely legislate infinite choices of several billion people. Who has the wisdom and impartiality to make our choices for us and not prioritise their own interests over ours. Choices, like thoughts and feeli

There's a natural pecking order to life: Some people have great strength, whilst others have less. Some are smart, others naive. A few of us are born into wealth and power. And many acquire status through their achievements. These differences give us the opportunity to influence those who lack what we have. Influence can be physical strength, or force. And it can be intellectual skill, or persuasion. Influence is power. POWER is not AUTHORITY. Authority is considered to be th

Imagine an island where 100 people lived. One of these people is called Pete, and Pete wants to be emperor. We'd assume the 99 people he lives with would tell Pete to go fuck himself. But in all societies there are people who struggle with independent choice. They require guidance and discipline. Some people prefer to be controlled, others need to be controlled. They feel comfortable with familiar routines and few responsibilities. They're easily influenced, but that's not a

Sometimes, we're afraid of power, because power dominates and controls. Sometimes, we're ashamed of our own power, because good people think power is only used for dominance and control. But power can also liberate and defend. We've no choice but to accept that power is an inescapable aspect of life on Earth. But it's the morality with which it's handled that makes all the difference. For example, moral power is when a teacher, who's stronger and smarter than a child, uses th

We've all got different ideas about how to live. We'll never agree, and that'll never change. Our differing opinions, needs and abilities create competition. Competition generates improvement and growth. Without the challenges of rivalry to inform compassion or progress, there's really no need for any change. Without our individuality, we'd live in a barren, artless world. A stagnant pool. Our differences are beautiful and necessary and not at all the problem. Arrogance is th

Regardless of our values, beliefs and principles, we all share something in common: FEAR. Not millions of different fears: one single fear. Whoever we are, whatever we think, feel or believe; every last one of us wants to live our own lives, and we all fear that someone's going to stop us. The religious fear the non-believer will corrupt God’s work, whilst the atheist fears the devout will hinder progress. Those who vote for left wing politicians fear those who vote right win

There's little wonder none of us fully understand how the world works... Perpetual war, disease, terrorism, poverty and assorted environmental crises. Whilst consumed by fear and panic, all society is expected to agree on what's happening, and what we're going to do about it. But if we consider that ignorance and rumour, bias and self interest are present all sources of information—from social media to television news (even the peer review process can be incentivised, politic

Most people will insist that government is doing its best to help, and the news just reports the truth, and people complain because those who are trying their best to help can't please everyone... But it's just as likely that the people in the television keep you frustrated with boring economics, depressing politics, fake news and conspiracy theories. And while you're busy studying the endless stream of mood terrorism, like cats distracted by a laser pen, the makers of histor

Government is just a system: A coordinated procedure carried out by a group of people. Government is not a building, a political party, a minister or senator. Being elected to government by public vote can't guarantee the flawless moral character of a politician, nor rule out any tendency towards greed, corruption or violence. Not only do I struggle to trust a career driven politician I've never met, I absolutely don't trust you lot to select the best one for the job... The w

Next time you see a police employee "leading beyond authority", ask yourself what'd happen if the roles were reversed.