3 ms·

It's a little more nuanced than that--different countries value different personal freedoms. For instance, in Germany you can't homeschool you're children, in

by learc83 12y ago

It's a little more nuanced than that--different countries value different personal freedoms. For instance, in Germany you can't homeschool you're children, in the US you can. In the UK it's very difficult to own a gun, in the US it's easy. Many hate speech laws in Europe would be unconstitutional in the US, and the US has broader protections for criminal defendants than many other developed countries. However, on the other side, the US lacks universal healthcare, and has fewer consumer and privacy protections.

m_mueller 12y ago
Yes, gun laws and freedom of speech is usually cited when comparing personal freedoms in the US and Europe - and I agree, it's one aspect of personal freedom (and Switzerland is somewhere in between there btw.). In my opinion however, the differences in these two areas are rather marginal when it comes to how life plays out. To me it comes down to this: Let's say I'm an Alien from outer space who tries to integrate into human society. How free am I to do whatever I'd like. Let's mount Maslow's pyramid. * changing the atmosphere with the gas I like to breath didn't go over too well - got imprisoned for a while, will not repeat. * eating a human was even worse! After decades of imprisonment and therapy in Europe they actually let me free again, my friend in Texas wasn't that lucky. Wouldn't recommend. * Alright, I've learned that human life is sacred and that I shouldn't try to change the environment too much that humans like. Next I had to get was some food source. After searching through what humans throw away (tasty!), some humans came and brought me to a place with a roof. I talked to some other human with a suit who hooked me up with some idea of theirs, I think it's called a 'bank account'. I learned that I can use that to go to a 'store' and exchange that thing using some electrons with fresh food. Pretty neat! * Good news! That suit guy even organized a home for me! Well, the thing is, other humans there didn't quite like my morning roaring rituals, so I had to give them up. Noise is not such a good idea here, especially when silly humans are 'sleeping' - whatever that is, noone could explain so far. Some guy even called in other humans that came in a dress with the word 'police' on it. Was a bit scared at first, but they just explained a bit and went away. * Wanted to paint the outside a bit nicer in traditional Qrkzsu Green. Something strange happened, was sent to a guy that tried to teach me how to integrate. Alright, I got most of it now I think. * It's 40 years later now, nothing much happened. Except I wanted to visit another place that's always in those moving pictures they show using many more electrons. Tried to drink human's version of Grigrog on my way to their own garbage facility. That wasn't a good idea, took a few days to get free again. Wanted to sleep on something they call a 'bench', but apparently it's only for sitting. Ok maybe I've gone a bit far off there ... ;).

by learc83 12y ago

m_mueller 12y ago

Yes, gun laws and freedom of speech is usually cited when comparing personal freedoms in the US and Europe - and I agree, it's one aspect of personal freedom (and Switzerland is somewhere in between there btw.). In my opinion however, the differences in these two areas are rather marginal when it comes to how life plays out. To me it comes down to this: Let's say I'm an Alien from outer space who tries to integrate into human society. How free am I to do whatever I'd like. Let's mount Maslow's pyramid. * changing the atmosphere with the gas I like to breath didn't go over too well - got imprisoned for a while, will not repeat. * eating a human was even worse! After decades of imprisonment and therapy in Europe they actually let me free again, my friend in Texas wasn't that lucky. Wouldn't recommend. * Alright, I've learned that human life is sacred and that I shouldn't try to change the environment too much that humans like. Next I had to get was some food source. After searching through what humans throw away (tasty!), some humans came and brought me to a place with a roof. I talked to some other human with a suit who hooked me up with some idea of theirs, I think it's called a 'bank account'. I learned that I can use that to go to a 'store' and exchange that thing using some electrons with fresh food. Pretty neat! * Good news! That suit guy even organized a home for me! Well, the thing is, other humans there didn't quite like my morning roaring rituals, so I had to give them up. Noise is not such a good idea here, especially when silly humans are 'sleeping' - whatever that is, noone could explain so far. Some guy even called in other humans that came in a dress with the word 'police' on it. Was a bit scared at first, but they just explained a bit and went away. * Wanted to paint the outside a bit nicer in traditional Qrkzsu Green. Something strange happened, was sent to a guy that tried to teach me how to integrate. Alright, I got most of it now I think. * It's 40 years later now, nothing much happened. Except I wanted to visit another place that's always in those moving pictures they show using many more electrons. Tried to drink human's version of Grigrog on my way to their own garbage facility. That wasn't a good idea, took a few days to get free again. Wanted to sleep on something they call a 'bench', but apparently it's only for sitting. Ok maybe I've gone a bit far off there ... ;).