I was reading this book called Exhalation by Ted Chiang , a recommendation by one of my all-time favourite maker, Seth Godin.
Exhalation is a collection of short stories that nudge you to think deeper.
Of late, the point about free will has been lingering in my head, mostly invoked by the COVID situation. As most had noticed, the evolution of COVID is constantly underpinned by the deep seated cultural differences.
Every country approaches its vaccine, quarantine, lockdown and information dessimation differently and as a result encounter different outcomes. This outcome also changes across time.
Every country approaches its vaccine, quarantine, lockdown and information dessimation differently and as a result encounter different outcomes. This outcome also changes across time.
One key theme that stands out is free will. The free will to decide what to do with your life, whether to take a vaccine, whether to wear a mask, whether to enforce penalties for those who don't abide.
Essentially, it is about having a choice. You decide when you actually don't.
The story in the Exhalation book summarise it pretty well:
" There have always been arguments showing that free will is an illusion, some based on pure physics, some based on pure logic.
No one really accept the conclusion.
The experience of having free will is too powerful for an argument to overrule.
As it turns out, the disabling thought is one we've all encountered: the idea that free will doesn't exist. It just wasn't harmful until you believed it. "
The whole point is.. if you had believed that free will is essential, the very idea of recognising that free will doesn't exist is way too confronting, one that can leave you disheartened.