If what is normal is what everyone else does, then conformism can collapse to a single, meaningless, dark point. But if normal is what one should do, then an aperture opens instead, into a realm of dreams, aspirations, and judgments. If Havel is right, and unfreedom means predictability, then freedom must involve unpredictability. It is the second form of freedom, arising from sovereignty, or what Havel called “autonomy.” Sovereignty (or autonomy) takes work. Havel did not dwell on this, having been raised in a prosperous family and having had an excellent education. We need support to become
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