In the time it takes for an idea to go from thought to acceptance societies and civilizations change, evolve, break apart. Many of the revolutions in history have not come at the point of a sword or barrel of a gun, but rather from the words, deeds, and creation of men and women striving to improve and better the world around them. The printing press, internet, flying, automotive transport, rail travel, the telegraph – all created by brilliant minds, some with an eye for profit, some just for the sheer hell of it, but all of them have left an indelible mark on society as a result of their conception.
One thing that allowed for their creation was the liberation of thought and deed. Through all the struggles to bring forth their babies the inventors, investors, and believers in these ideas were able to think outside the box and be allowed to give their creations wings to soar above the society they inhabit. In Soviet Russia, despite a general repression of the populace by the state, brilliant minds were loosed on the problem of manned space flight, and while it was not always pretty the results of their bold choices sparked a race with the Americans that culminated in the satalites, tele-communications, and Google Maps we all use and abuse everyday. Without the freedom to be creative none of this would have been possible, or at the very least would have taken far longer to come into conception.
So how does this apply to society as a whole? The lesson all societies learn is that by allowing people to think, rather than repressing these thoughts, great ideas come fourth for the betterment of mankind. Modern China learn this bitter lesson in the 1980′s as a result of the hugely tragic cultural revolution - allow the brilliant minds space to innovate and accumulate, and your nation will grow as a result. Of course China needs to improve it’s civil rights record, and still have hundreds of millions of peasent poor, but once the spark has ignitied the idea of interllectual liberty there is no going back, not without a lot of pain and suffering by the population at large.
In the end if you have an idea, a concept, a different take on the current staus quo you should never be afraid to allow yourself the freedom to explore them. If your society represses these concepts, ideas, and theories then find your voice, speak your mind, and show them the benefits. If you are fortunate enough to live in a society that already allows freedom of ideas, concepts, and theories then speak up for those who don’t – for only by allowing the flame of difference and interlectual curiosity burn bright can we find the next Einstein, Newton, or Burners-Lee. Mankind has the brilliance to overcome any barrier, and by allowing an open palm philosophy of ideas and concepts we can all benefit with a better and brighter future.
