How can we have our privacy? How can we have our independence now

Listen closely, O children of the future, to the words of Parker Posey, a woman who speaks of the battle between the privacy of the individual and the encroaching eyes of the world: "How can we have our privacy? How can we have our independence now in these times with these cameras? Because I think privacy and our solitude is really important." These words, spoken in the face of modernity’s overwhelming gaze, remind us of the sacredness of our inner lives, and the right of every soul to retreat into solitude, to live without constant surveillance. In an age where cameras watch our every step, where the very air seems to be filled with the unseen eyes of technology, how do we maintain our independence?

Privacy has always been a pillar upon which the soul can rest. It is the very space where one finds clarity, where one can hear the quiet voice within, and where the independence of thought and action is born. The ancient philosophers, those great seekers of truth, understood the importance of solitude. In their retreats from the world, whether in the caves of Plato or in the tranquil gardens of Diogenes, they sought to find truth in the stillness of their own minds. It is in this privacy—this space of solitude—that we are able to reflect, to grow, and to shape our futures. The solitude that Posey speaks of is not a retreat from the world, but a necessary condition for the clarity of mind required to engage meaningfully with the world.

Consider, O children, the tale of Henry David Thoreau, who chose to live in the woods at Walden Pond, away from the clamor of society, to experience life in its most pure and untainted form. His famous work, Walden, speaks not only to the beauty of nature but to the power of privacy and independence. Thoreau’s retreat into the woods was an act of reclaiming his solitude, where he could strip away the distractions of modern life and find himself anew. In this silence, he found his truth, and in his independence, he discovered a life that was more vibrant and meaningful than any he could have found in the crowded streets of society. Thoreau teaches us that privacy is not just the absence of others; it is the space in which the soul finds its voice.

But alas, O seekers, the world we live in today is far different. Cameras, as Posey warns, have become the silent sentinels of modern society. They are omnipresent, watching, recording, capturing every moment, every interaction. The advent of social media, with its insatiable hunger for content, has further encroached upon the private spaces we once took for granted. What was once a refuge—a quiet corner of solitude where one could think, dream, and breathe freely—has become a commodity, a spectacle for the eyes of the world. In this world of constant observation, the question arises: can we still claim our independence and privacy? Can we still retreat into ourselves, away from the prying eyes that seem to grow with each passing day?

Consider the story of Anne Frank, who, during the darkest days of World War II, was forced to hide in an attic with her family, away from the cameras, away from the Nazi soldiers who hunted her and millions of others. Her diary, written in the privacy of her small, hidden space, became a testament to the solitude she endured, a symbol of her inner independence in the face of unrelenting danger. Though she was surrounded by the chaos and fear of war, she found a way to preserve her own voice, her own thoughts, and her own privacy. Her life, marked by secrecy and surveillance, reveals the profound need for the individual to protect the most sacred parts of the self, even when the world demands to see it.

The lesson here, O children, is profound. Privacy is not just the physical absence of others; it is the mental and emotional space where we can shape our thoughts and determine our actions without the constant interference of the world around us. Solitude is not loneliness—it is a gift that allows us to connect with our true selves, to reflect, and to grow. The struggle for independence in the modern world is, in many ways, a struggle for privacy—for the right to withdraw when necessary, to shield oneself from the relentless march of technology, and to cultivate the quiet space where the soul can flourish.

Therefore, O children of the future, remember this: As the world grows ever more connected, more observed, more recorded, we must guard our privacy with greater care. Just as Thoreau withdrew to the woods, and Anne Frank found her voice in the shadows, so too must we create spaces—both physical and mental—where we can retreat from the noise and find the clarity needed to navigate the complexities of our lives. Let solitude not be feared, but embraced as a necessary force for independence and growth. In this sacred space, we will find our true selves, and in doing so, preserve the most precious gift of all: the freedom to live life on our own terms.