I struggle with Dr. Livingston’s concept. Why? Simple. Self-determination.

At what point is a simple action such as wearing a mask used to manipulate other actions?

First social norms pressure me to wear a mask to protect others. It’s the right thing to do after all? Right? (Yes according to Japan and China — both deeply vested in purist norms.)

Next social norms pressure me to treat non-mask wearers different.

Next social norms craft laws to make me wear a mask AS WELL AS REPORT non-mask wearers.

Next laws swell prisons, debts (fines, et. al.).

Next we discover how divide and conquer helps only those who seek to DIVIDE! (History documents the results of divide and conquer all too well).

So — when you see me NOT wearing a mask — recall the German Lutheran pastor Martin Niemöller’s words:

First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out —
Because I was not a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out —
Because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out —
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me — and there was no one left to speak for me.