Joy Vs. Leguin

1033 Words5 Pages
In Ursula K Le Guins' story "The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas" and "Why The Future Doesn't Need Us" by Bill Joy, both authors conclude that individual freedom endangers the safety and well being of society. Individual freedom demands individual responsibility if their society is to remain safe. This point is explored from different views in the respective works, and while Le Guin puts the power in the most underprivileged, Joy shows the destruction in the hands of the elite. Both agree that the end result of irresponsible freedom of individuals could lead to the destruction of society both physically and socially. "I do not know the rules and laws of their society, but I suspect that they are singularly few" (Le Guin, Ursula K. "The ones who walk away from Omelas"). In this sentence Le Guin shows the freedom that the people of Omelas have, few rules or laws and the people governed by their own morals and values. The people are described as not being violent: "But as we did without clergy, let us do without soldiers. The joy built upon successful slaughter is not the right kind of joy; it will not do; it is fearful and it is trivial" (Le Guin, Ursula K. "The ones who walk away from Omelas"). The people are governed by their own morals and values in this utopian society, the only threat to their way of life lies in the suffering of a child who is kept in a small basement room. Therefore the true power is in the hands of an individual who may let this child free, thus ending all that is the very nature of Omelas. "If the child were brought up into the sunlight out of that vile place, if it were cleaned and fed and comforted, that would be a good thing, indeed; but if it were done, in that day and hour all the prosperity and beauty and delight of Omelas would wither and be destroyed"
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