Against the Tide: Protecting Freedom in a World of Control

While I was watching a reality TV show about a family who lives and raises their children in the bush, I was struck by the profound implications of their story. This family had built their life in the bush, far from the conveniences and demands of modern society. However, the government burned down their home located on public land, forcing them to relocate. Determined to continue their way of life, they purchased land deep in the forest in Alaska—a remote and inexpensive location—and began rebuilding. But the challenges didn’t end there: they had to endure long drives and build a new cabin just to maintain their lifestyle.

Why am I writing about this? Because their experience reflects a broader issue: the way governments and modern societies treat people who choose to live differently. Across the world, there are indigenous tribes and isolated communities who have been “discovered” by tourists, explorers, scientists, or even random adventurers. Once these groups are identified, governments often step in, claiming they need to introduce modernization, enforce regulations, or teach these people a “better” way of life. This paternalistic approach strips individuals and communities of their autonomy and disregards their unique cultures, traditions, and choices.

In my opinion, if we want to live in a world where human rights truly prevail, then people must be allowed to live the way they choose—whether or not we agree with their way of life. As long as they are not harming others, their choices should be respected. I’ve seen reality shows and documentaries from countries like the United States, Canada, and others, where indigenous tribes and remote communities are filmed without consent, their lives laid bare for public consumption. These invasions of privacy are not just disrespectful; they’re exploitative. Forcing these communities into the global spotlight, altering their way of life, or making them adapt to systems they never asked for is a gross violation of their freedom.

Some families and individuals deliberately reject the conventional trappings of modern society. They do not want to pay electricity bills, take on car or house loans, or be beholden to government systems. They don’t want to live a life of perpetual debt or adhere to societal expectations like attending formal schools or holding steady jobs. Instead, they prioritize simplicity, self-reliance, and connection with nature. Not everyone wants to use cell phones or drink contaminated tap water; some people crave fresh water, prefer planting their own food, and living sustainably. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Forcing them to conform to a system—a system often plagued by corruption, inequality, and coercion—is deeply unjust.

The government’s insistence on controlling every aspect of people’s lives, from health care to education to housing, is an alarming overreach. Modern society has turned many into lifelong debtors, chained to a cycle of consumption and repayment until their final days. This isn’t the life everyone wants, and it shouldn’t have to be. For some, the greatest joy lies in living in nature, using traditional medicine, and relying on the resources the Earth freely provides. These choices reflect the diversity of human thought and experience, and they deserve protection.

There are several reasons why this push to homogenize lifestyles is harmful:

1. Erosion of Cultural Diversity: Forcing communities to abandon their traditional ways of life leads to the loss of unique cultures, languages, and knowledge systems. These are irreplaceable treasures that enrich humanity as a whole.

2. Violation of Autonomy: Every individual and community has the right to make decisions about how they live. Interfering with this autonomy undermines the fundamental principle of freedom.

3. Environmental Wisdom: Many of these communities have a profound understanding of sustainable living and environmental stewardship. Modernization often replaces these practices with environmentally destructive habits.

4. Psychological Harm: Forcing people to conform to an alien system can cause deep emotional and psychological distress. Imagine having your home destroyed, your traditions mocked, and your way of life dismissed as “primitive.”

5. Economic Exploitation: Often, the goal of such interventions is to integrate these communities into the global economy—not for their benefit, but to create new consumers and taxpayers.

Instead of bulldozing over people’s choices and enforcing a one-size-fits-all system, governments should recognize and celebrate diversity. There should be laws protecting communities that choose to live outside modern systems, ensuring they can exist without interference. Respecting their choices is not just a matter of ethics—it’s a recognition of their humanity.

Not everyone wants to participate in what can be seen as modern-day slavery: working endlessly to pay off debts, abiding by rigid societal structures, and relinquishing control over their lives to corrupt systems. Some simply want to live. And that is completely okay and normal. We need to advocate for a world where living freely is not a privilege granted by governments but a basic, inviolable right.

Your real world is different from another person's real world.

Photo by Felix-Antoine Coutu