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Mythical tale from Ancient Greece still impact us in our post-modern times

Just a few days ago we celebrated Memorial Day and once again I thought about all those brave men and women who since the beginning of this country offered their lives in sacrifice to keep us free and independent.

But I also thought about the need to realize that, unless we are careful, “freedom” could become just an illusion. I remember reading about a certain Latin American country where the military junta in charge of the government said there was no dictatorship in that country, just a unique form of “protected democracy.”

Obviously, nothing like that is happening here, but, at a social level, I think that here, in a country where individualism reigns supreme, there is an increasing pressure to conform ourselves to a pre-established pattern. The situation reminds me of the mythical tale of the Procrustes, who in ancient Greece measured people according to the length of his own bed. If somebody was too short, he stretched him. If the victim was too long, he cut the victim’s legs, so everybody would have the “correct” length.

In our post-modern times, when we are no longer anchored by any tradition and we live obsessed by consuming, Procrustes’ Bed is still being used, perhaps not with the same level of violence, but certainly with the same tragic results.

For example, I recently received a letter from my health insurance company telling me they have revised they health charts and my height, my weight, and my age were no longer in the category of  “healthy individual.” Therefore, they increased my monthly premium.

I want to emphasize my health has not changed. In fact, according to my doctor, I am in the best health since probably five years ago, due to a better diet and more exercise (but not as much as I should, by the way).

The only thing that changed was the health insurance charts where I am compared to the height and weight of a “normal” 25-year old White person. However, I am not 25-year old, and I am not (and never was) a White person. They are putting me in their own version of Procrustes’ Bed and charging me for that.

My bank also sent me a letter telling me they decided to reduce the limit of my credit cards, even though I am paying on time and more than just the minimum. Because the percentage of my debt is now greater than before, the interest is also greater.

My debt didn’t increase (quite the opposite). The only thing that changed was the bank’s measurements, which they now use to take more money from me. Procrustes would be proud to see what their distant followers are doing.

Individualism is the basis for the freedom of this country. Now, however, that old individualism has been replaced by an amorphous, irresistible, and omnipresent mass that wants to mold everybody to its image and likeness, without respecting any kind of differences.

Could we remain free if differences are reasons for punishment?

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