Many people in our society seem willing to forfeit a good deal of freedom in exchange for security and law and order. In the spirit of the long and cherished NSG tradition of discussing absurd hypothetical scenarios, I offer a thought experiment for your consideration:
You are approached by a representative of a mysterious group that is looking for people to volunteer to live in their secret compound. Life in this secret compound has several benefits, all provided free of cost, but on the condition that you adhere to all of their rules. These benefits include:
- Food that meets all your calorie needs and contains all of the nutrients necessary for maintaining optimum health.
- High quality and comprehensive medical care including vision, dental, psychiatry, and everything else.
- Protection from all natural disasters and communicable diseases.
- A living space that features bedding, electricity, running water, and air conditioning.
- A life free of crime and violence. You are guaranteed to never be stolen from, assaulted, killed, or victim to any other crime.
- Entertainment and recreation, the amount and variety of which should meet an average person's expectations.
These provisions are dependent on your total obedience to the compound's rules and regulations. Here are some of those rules:
- You will wake up and go to sleep on a schedule determined by management.
- You must wear a uniform at all times. This uniform will be suitable for the temperature and reasonably comfortable, but you cannot alter it in any way, nor can you wear any accessories like hats or earrings.
- You will be given a job suitable to your abilities. You cannot change your hours or choose holiday time. You have to be actively working every moment you're on the clock and you will be under surveillance at all times to ensure compliance. You may not speak to coworkers about anything but work unless you are on break. Your bathroom breaks will be chosen by management and strictly timed.
- You must keep your living space in perfect order. The bed must be made with precision, your clothes must always be folded and kept exactly where management tells you to keep them, as well as every single item in your living space. Even a pen or a roll of toilet paper in the wrong place will result in punishment.
- You must apply to management to form a friendship or romantic relationship with another person who lives in the compound. Management will determine whether or not a potential friend or romantic partner is suitable for you. Unauthorized fraternization will be punished. You are only allowed to speak with other residents at certain times of day. The subject matter which may be discussed is restricted. No profanity, dirty jokes, or sexual innuendo is allowed, nor may you ever criticize management or propose changes to life in the compound. You will also be restricted from discussing certain philosophical topics that management deems detrimental to society.
- You may not consume any psychoactive substances including caffeine and alcohol, unless they are prescribed to you for a medical condition.
As to the nature of punishment, since everyone has their own perspective on what punishment should be, I will not determine what the punishments are. Assume that they are extremely effective deterrents to misbehavior but not unnecessarily cruel in accordance with your own ideas.
So, do you accept the offer to live in this compound? If no, which rules are your dealbreakers? If yes, why do you value security so much that you would accept life under these rules?
And since the custom is that the OP has to state their own opinion, I will do so, although anyone remotely familiar with me should know that all of these rules are dealbreakers for me and the guaranteed security is not remotely worth it. I value liberty far more than security. Our lives are temporary. We have one opportunity to experience life as conscious beings. For that fleeting opportunity to be meaningful, we must be free to experience life on our own terms. It is the diversity of experience, emotion, and thought that makes life matter, as well as our chance to shape the world into a better place for those who come after us so that their lives may be even better than ours.
