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RE: What's it like being an anarchist in Japan? Doesn't it suck??? (Answer to a commonly asked question)

in #japan8 years ago (edited)

I remember a story from Burma/Myanmar when it was a full-on military dictatorship. An American financial journalist went to the doctor in Rangoon, and the doctor didn't understand why he was fishing for a recipe. If you want to buy medicine, just go to a pharmacy! No recipe required. In other words, under an repressive regime he was free to take care of his body as an adult in a way he wasn't used to in Western countries.

So you can find freedom in unexpected places. I don't think the regime had any intention to be libertarian. The health of its citizens probably wasn't a priority. And I think your medical freedom of choice stops at ruining herd immunity and infecting kids or people who can't be vaccinated for medical reasons.

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Interesting stuff about Myanmar! It is strange, the places where freedom is found.

I have written extensively on the myth of vaccine-induced herd immunity. You can check out my posts on the topic here, here, and here. My freedom to protrect my child from harm as I see fit as a parent is not dictated by others.

Burma/Myanmar is very much rooted in Buddhism which is purely based on personal growth, self-help, Being the master of your own life and absolutely not relying on any outside help for salvation. Buddhism is practically the anti-religion when compared to Christianity of Islam. Half of Japan is also Buddhist and those cultural roots gives the country a serious edge. If you take some time to watch some anime you'll find so many things that would be completely unacceptable in Hollywood but isn't a big deal in Japan.