The caretaker Ulf, a libertarian role model

 Humanity would be nothing without colorful characters. Anyone who for the first time conceived a new thought or set out a new path has had to deviate from the crowd - and not infrequently had to pay a social price for this.

Yet this is the source of all societal development. The liberal thinker John Stuart Mill (1806-73) succinctly formulates this thought in his classic work "On Liberty" from 1859. He who follows others may well happen to be led right, but that only requires the ability to follow. On the other hand, observation, reflection, judgement, firmness and self-control are required of the person who deviates. Even our own spiritual growth depends on how we develop the ability to use our own judgment and go our own way.

 These are important lessons in every age and in every society, perhaps above all for those who are young.

 That's why I'm happy when I read about Ulf Byström, janitor at a high school in Gothenburg, Sweden. Byström has worked in the school world for over 20 years, mostly as a teacher. There are no objections to his work performance. However, the municipality recently decided that service staff at all schools should in Gothenburg wear uniform black work clothes. This did not suit Byström, who likes to wear pink and Hawaiian shirts, clothes that cheer up the students and facilitate conversation. He experienced the clothing requirements as degrading because they are not needed for his work: "It's about the principle. I don't like people telling me what to do when there's no reason for it."

 When Byström carried out his work in his own clothes, he was called to "awareness talks" (a strikingly Orwellian term) where he was threatened with remarks about refusal to work and dismissal. Then he himself decided to get away form that  school and resigned. "I guess I'll have to become a teacher again. Then you get to choose which clothes you want."

 With his actions, Ulf Byström has pedagogically shown how as a citizen of a free country you can not only make your voice heard, but also choose to follow it. In an age where individuality is often confused with self-absorbed and anxious attempts to please others, he has shown courage to be himself.

 Hopefully Gothenburg's municipal gray school bureaucracy can agree. Our society hardly gives too much space to colorful characters.

 PS. We have something we call The Ultimate Test for a being. It goes something like this: Almost anyone can take over positions in well-ordered system and make it continue to function. But there are very few individuals who are able to bring order where there is chaos.

Todd

Please also check Socrates' Gossip Filter:

https://axiom1b.blogspot.com/2015/06/socrates-gossip-filter-gossip-slander.html