Today, I write to encourage you to think about this wonderful phrase, “freedom and opportunity for ordinary people.” From where did we get these simple, but powerful words?
”Ronald Reagan carried the American people with him in his great endeavours because there was perfect sympathy between them. He and they love America and what it stands for – freedom and opportunity for ordinary people.”
Words matter. And both Thatcher and Reagan were very good at putting them together. In powerful ways.
[Note: For this "old war horse," Thatcher's famous quote about Socialism is hard to beat - "The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money." 😊 👍]
Yes, words matter. Freedom ... And opportunity ... For ordinary people ... Yes!! I don't want to be presumptuous and speak for you, fellow Steemian, but that is definitely who I am - an "ordinary people."
So ... Who am I then, just an ordinary person, to have any hopes, any aspirations, any anything? That is a key point of this post! We are born with them!!
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
It is Independence Day in America today. Freedom, better Liberty is the cornerstone upon which any real opportunity depends! I will be writing another separate post about that today in celebration.
I would like to use this introduction, however, to encourage you and lay a specific challenge before you, my fellow Steemians, as we consider the simple, but powerful words in the title of this post.
The "Real World"
No matter who you are and where you live in the world, what do we share in common? More than likely (much more …), we all live with some form of centralized power imposed on us “from on high.” Any exceptions? Not likely …
And this ”centralized power imposed on us” is specifically all in the hands of the almighty State in which we live, right? Almost certainly not, again no matter where we may live …
For the purposes of encouraging you today, I would like to set aside the “power of the State” and focus on other sources of “centralized power.” For example, massive, global enterprises that, while not quiet “holding a gun to our heads” still command an enormous, disproportionate influence over all that we do. Financial institutions, commercial institutions, technological service providing institutions, etc. [think FaceBook, Google, Amazon ...]
How is that working for us, at this time in human history? All of our interactions are “mutually beneficial” right? We are free to choose, right? Uhhh … Again, almost certainly not …
So … What is your point @roleerob? While sympathetic with what you are saying, what option(s) do we have?
The Future World and the Prospects for Us All
Time is very precious to me. I never have enough of it, to get anywhere close to accomplishing all I typically have in mind. Not even close. So … Was it providential the combination of factors that led to the “window of time” I had last August to really “dig in” and do some research on all that the creative genius behind blockchain technology represented? Not wise enough to say …
But, what I can say, while initially quite skeptical, is eventually “the light bulb” came on, as I grew to appreciate the potential for what this inspirational concept could mean for the future. The “crypto universe” is already almost overwhelmingly complicated and yet still growing exponentially. Still in its “infancy” … What does it all mean?
A lot has already been written in response. And we’re just getting started. For today, I would simply like to encourage you, in the context of this post’s title, to consider what it might mean for you. That is, if like me, you are an “ordinary people” …
What stood out to me, as I slowly grew to appreciate the potential for our future, was the extraordinary effort being put in by other “ordinary people” the world over, who were laboring together in “common cause” to build something transformational. It stood alone. It did not rely on any “centralized power” to exist. It had been created and was growing, thriving even “outside the box.”
Wow! I really liked what this represented. In response, choosing to go “all in,” three key concepts stood out to me:
Independent. Free of all “outside influences,” blockchain technology represents the opportunity to be truly independent. To choose its own course. Lots of different ways this can “play out,” in the future. Giving us lots of options, from which to choose what we consider to be “mutually beneficial” for us, without any outside influences.
Decentralized. OK, independent. Great @roleerob. In all of its “glory,” the nature of man seems to be fundamentally determined (another post another day) to relentlessly move toward consolidating power. How is this new “asset class” then going to stay independent? Essential to the potential of blockchain technology is that the answer is inherent in its design. It has been purposefully, thoughtfully created to be decentralized. To avoid all that inevitably comes with “centralization of power.” Those of us investing our dreams and aspirations for the future with this technology should never forget this vital feature. We do so at our peril.
Private. Cryptographic addresses. That are long, randomly-generated, “unbreakably” secure strings of characters which give us total privacy. And with it, that which is so vitally important to us all – protection and security. Wow! How important is that? Very important, essential even …
So … How is this working for us? Much better!To illustrate how well, which of the many, many options available to us in the “crypto universe” should I pick for illustration? Hmmm. Thinking … Thinking …
I think I've got it! How about the Steem blockchain and the amazing “ecosystem” it is in the early stages of creating? 😊 I think I hear a “second that motion” amongst you “out there” … (or is that just the usual voices in my mind playing tricks …)
Seriously, I have only been actively engaged in working to build our Steem Community for about 6 weeks. Yes, weeks ... (if I was smarter, like @thedarkhorse, who “got involved” at the same time I did, it would be more like about 11 months …).
In that time, I have been mightily impressed by the “beehive of activity” going on “in here.” And that’s knowing, for sure, there is a lot more going on of which I have no idea.
Think about that for a minute. In the context of this post’s title? Freedom and opportunity, for ordinary people, to build whatever seems best to them. Not being imposed upon by anyone. And, in laboring so, unleashing the awesome “decentralized power” of free will efforts across the world, joined together in common cause.
To what end? They are prospering … Yes! Prospering!!
”The condition of being successful or thriving; especially economic well-being.”
Again, words matter. Thriving. Well-being … What is not to like? Sign me up! Count me in!!Closing
Yes, dear fellow Steemian, “dark times” appear to have been with us recently, as we’ve been suffering through a strong “down draft” on the previously soaring “crypto” prices. And, yes, our Steem blockchain went completely down the other night (what a great test though - of how well designed it is and how quickly “the team” recovered!). And, yes, you (like me) may wonder if there aren’t some shenanigans going on with market price manipulations “high over our heads” …
In the face of all of these things, though, I would encourage you to keep the faith! Do you believe in the long-term prospects for what could be? Or not? If so, then this is simply a short-term test which will pass (my view). And long-term the inevitability of what this new technology represents will prevail over all of it.
I hope you have found some encouragement today, with the perspective presented here. “Enshrined in the blockchain” on Independence Day, 4 July 2018!
As always, while your upvotes and resteems are certainly welcome, above all I hope to hear back from you. What is your perspective? How are you feeling about the future? Please take a few minutes and let me know.
Thank you.
Respectfully,
Steemian @roleerob
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If you enjoyed this post, perhaps you would also find these related posts of interest / value:
- Essential Foundation for Good Business
- Liberty: Land of the Free, Home of the Brave
- Observations: Words Matter
- HODLers of the World Unite!
- Focus of our Time – This post won my first Steem award!