The clowns

What fills you with fear?

Fear is the largest censor in the world as it stops as it stops us from speaking before another even has the chance to hear it. But, the root of the fears that hold us back are rmthe interesting thing because near without fail, our fears are about self-preservation where we worry about what cost or loss will be incurred.

Often people talk about censorship and attack on freedom of speech on Steem due to downvotes, but that is not the case at all. Once something is written to the Steem blockchain it is there, and regardless of how many downvotes rain down, it will remain there. If one chooses to change their behaviour, to remain silent, to hide in fear of getting downvoted, that is on the individual and is self-censoring, it isn't the blockchain.

For many, they fear the loss of reward, the loss of support, the loss of reputation, the loss of the things they feel make them successful so, they self-censor for their own protection. It is a personal choice, but it may be driven by real world responsibilities.

If I needed Steem to look after my daughter, I might temper my content. I would also damn well make sure that I knew about the blockchain, worked my ass off to develop content, engaged like a demon and did all I could to get what I needed. I find it pathetic when people say they need to earn on Steem, yet have the caveat "as long as I get to do what I want, how I want".

This is the difference between actual and perceived needs though. If they are actual needs, they must be met and that means that one must do what it takes. Not many seem to have actual need to live off Steem, it is more that they choose to because, most of them don't change theur behavior to meet their needs. Yet, many still complain about not getting support on their content.

Fair enough. Choices.

Those with needs though are those who are easy to "censor" because, one can just take away access to the resources until the needy yield. On Steem, this kind of forced self-censorship is by taking away the pool, take away earnings on content. For those who are only here for reward (whether needed or not), this is effective at behavioral change as they will often change to suit whatever gets their rewards back.

If you need something from others, you have a leverage able weakness. Once someone is attached to the reliance on others, they can easily become owned. Like the rebellious child who changes her behavior after Daddy threatens to take her credit cards away.

When you have something you fear to lose, that feeling can be hijacked and used for manipulation. Fear is how politicians and insurance companies get away with what they do. Leverage the fear of loss. Loss of money, loss of freedom, loss of choice.

The only way to be uncensorable is to need for nothing nor anyone, and be unattached from anything and anyone. Nothing to gain, nothing to lose. Not even the loss of life itself.

How many are fearless in this world?

Everyone needs something from someone, and some need much more than others. Factor in the emotional and psychological nerds, and the fears escalate.

I fear for my daughter and it was what brought me to Steem originally. I fear for my ability to provide a good enough home for her, I fear that I will leave her vulnerable to the world, I fear for her having to negotiate in a filthy and violent world.

So, I work daily toward improving my ability to provide a good home, I work daily to help her understand the world, I work daily to improve the world into which she will live out her life.

It is a funny thing about those who attempt to censor others, to troll, to point score on the Internet because almost invariably, they are the ones who are making the world worse, they are the ones who play on fears. No better than the politicians and insurance companies, banks and conglomerates who leverage fear to get what they desire. Money, fame, attention or a sense of control.

Clowns in the darkness.
Needy for an audience.

Taraz
[ a Steem original ]