thinkwalker

Do you think it is morally or ethically wrong to restrict the flow of information that Hasidim receive? If I understand you correctly, elders within the hasidic community are very careful about what the children are taught in school and what sources of info they can access, and may even teach hasidic youths to not trust the veracity of any information obtained from the secular world. Of course any parent wouldn't want their child exposed to obscenities, but at what point does the censorship become intellectually and/or developmentally restrictive?

I appreciate your response. Helps to understand the mentality. Thanks for sharing your perspective.

I recommend Neal Stephenson's fiction work Fall; or, Dodge in Hell. He goes into detail about the concept of scanning a brain and uploading a consciousness. Brilliant read.

Thanks for your response. Interesting to hear how your initial decision to rebel has freed you to make further choices, while his stasis leaves him without much say at all in his future. In other words you've taken hold of your own future, while he lacks agency to decide his own fate.

That's my problem with the censorship. It renders them unable to make informed decisions about their own lives. Combine that with the immense pressure to adhere to their religious laws and mores and it makes for an entire subculture that refuses to integrate or participate in modern society, declines to contribute to the greater good while gladly accepting any public assistance available, and rejects the value of the free flow of information.

I feel bad for them and want to respect their freedom to practice their religion, but when their practices not only harm their own vulnerable populations like women and children, but interfere with others' pursuit of life, liberty and happiness - see East Ramapo - I can't help but think something should be done.

Did you see any refugee camps in your travels?

If so, what struck you about them?

what resources did they need the most?

and what would you do differently if asked to design a refugee camp?

Thanks.