The Free Exploring Mind

(Pictured is the Salinas Valley, the birthplace of John Steinbeck)

Today on the birthday of John Steinbeck, we reflect on this quote from East of Eden. Freedom of the mind, to create, wish, and believe in any such thing it desires are liberties granted by a higher power to humans all over the world. Unfortunately there are those in leadership positions who suppress these basic unalienable rights.   

On Adam’s home planet, Novana, the mindless Plakerolds - AI robots - think they know what’s best for  humans. They  successfully tend them like sheep and provide for their every need. But the most important wants of humans are completely ignored. To quote from the opening of Adam in Taoland: 

“There was no gratitude – only entitlement and enslavement. There was no joy. No shame meant no pride. There was no hatred, which sadly meant no love. No one strived to succeed. Human emotions had ceased to exist – except in my case, despair.”

Adam wanted some purpose in his meaningless life. After learning about all the creativity, successes, and individualism of the people who came before him, he could no longer accept the oppressive rule of the Plakerols. On the brink of taking his own life in despair, he was rescued and given the opportunity to create that life for himself elsewhere. 

As humans we must support the creative expansion of our minds and of those around us. We are called upon to encourage both the young and old to search for truth, explore what their mind desires, and indulge in creative endeavors as they wish.