Introduction:

In this article , We will explore the concept of freedom in the context of society and individual rebellion as well as its effects on product development via ethical design. The quote by Albert Camus, "The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion," has been a topic of much debate in the field of philosophy. While this quote suggests that true freedom can only be achieved by an individual breaking free from societal constraints, the counterpoint made by Voltaire that it is difficult to free fools from the chains they revere adds complexity to this notion. However, the idea that the public must be either chained or fled from, as noted by Voltaire, highlights the importance of cultivating freedom amongst society as the utmost virtue. This article will argue that true freedom can only be achieved through collective efforts and by ensuring that creators share the collective value of freedom.

Freedom and Rebellion:

Albert Camus' quote suggests that true freedom can only be achieved through rebellion against societal constraints. This idea implies that individuals must break free from the societal norms that limit their actions and thoughts. However, Voltaire's counterpoint that it is difficult to free fools from the chains they revere adds a layer of complexity to this notion. The quote implies that some individuals might be so entrenched in their beliefs that they are unable to see beyond them. This can lead to them attempting to shackle those who seek true freedom, which creates a paradox as the freedom seeker can be limited by those who are themselves unfree.

Chaining the Public:

Voltaire's quote, "The public is a ferocious beast; one must either chain it or flee from it," suggests that the public must be controlled or avoided. However, in modern-day society, this is not a viable option. Therefore, the only solution is to chain the public in turn with freedom spread and cultivated amongst society as the utmost virtue. True freedom cannot be achieved as an individual; rather, it can only be achieved as a collective. This is because societal norms and values must be transformed to create a culture that values freedom.

The Role of Art:

Art is an expression of values and ideas. In modern society, protocols and software are forms of art that are shaping our lives in unprecedented ways. This period can be considered a renaissance of sorts. However, if we allow this art to govern us without considering the ethics involved, we risk creating a society that is limited in its freedoms. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that creators share the collective value of freedom to ensure that the art they create does not limit our freedoms.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the concept of freedom in the context of society and individual rebellion is complex. While Albert Camus suggests that true freedom can only be achieved through individual rebellion, Voltaire's counterpoint that it is difficult to free fools from the chains they revere adds complexity to this notion. However, the idea that the public must be either chained or fled from, as noted by Voltaire, highlights the importance of cultivating freedom amongst society as the utmost virtue. True freedom can only be achieved through collective efforts, and this requires ensuring that creators and consumers share the collective value of freedom.

As such if you extrapolate this as a design discipline it becomes evident why sovereign centric software such as crypto wallets, privacy coins, VPNs etc, has failed to receive sufficient attention, despite the widespread deployment of surveillance and censorship, that is because technologists have wrongly assumed that a technically sound sovereign centric software will translate to successful market adoption. I likens this flawed mindset to Voltaire's quote, "It is not enough to conquer; one must learn to seduce." This quote suggests that in design disciplines, brute force technical innovation alone cannot win a market; instead, one must first make people value the fundamental principles that the invention seeks to protect, and then make it appealing and accessible to both back-end and end-users through UI design.

From a philosophical standpoint, this argument highlights the importance of understanding the relationship between technical innovation, market adoption, and value creation. This suggests that the failure of sovereign centric software to gain traction in the market can be attributed to a disconnect between the technical capabilities of these solutions and the values and needs of the end-users. This disconnect underscores the importance of integrating user-centered design principles into the development process of privacy solutions. Moreover, this implies that there is a need to shift the focus from purely technical innovation to creating solutions that can seduce and attract end-users through user-friendly interfaces, seamless accessibility, and intuitive design.

This is also the concept of ethical design. Ethical design refers to the practice of designing products and services that align with fundamental ethical principles such as privacy, autonomy, and justice. We argue that for sovereign centric software to succeed in the market, they must not only be technically sound but also align with ethical principles and values that end-users hold dear. This implies that there is a need for a fundamental shift in the way we approach design, from focusing solely on technical innovation to adopting a more ethical and human-centered approach that prioritizes the values and needs of the end-users.

this argument underscores the need for a more holistic and human-centered approach to design, one that integrates technical innovation with ethical principles and values that end-users value.