A Quick Look at Cotometism

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Cotometism is a way of thinking about freedom—not the kind you find on bumper stickers or in speeches, but the kind that shows up in everyday life.

It starts with something simple:

You’ve got one life.
And that life ought to be yours to shape.

Everything Cotometism stands for follows from that one idea.

1. Life Autonomy: Personal Freedom That Counts

Cotometism says the freedom that matters most is whether you can really steer your life. What we call “life autonomy” is how much control you have to do so.

That means:

Having real choices
Having the time, tools, and safety to act on those choices
Being able to change your mind and take a new direction when needed

So the question is:

Can I actually run my own life—or is something quietly steering it for me?

Cotometism says: if a system, rule, or some arrangement makes people less able to do that—even if it seems fair or efficient—it’s a problem.

2. Reciprocity: Because Freedom Can’t Be Solo

Nobody makes it through life untouched. We all face sickness, setbacks, losses—even threats—times when our grip slips.

That’s just part of being human.

Cotometism says:

If you want your freedom to last, you’ve got to help protect other people’s freedom too.

Not out of guilt. Not to feel noble. But because freedom works best when it’s mutual. Yours won’t survive if everyone else’s is falling apart.

So Cotometism supports things like:

Teaching kids in ways that expand their future
Building systems that don’t trap people or shut them out
Standing up when someone’s being pushed into a corner—because one day, that someone could be you

3. What Cotometism Stands Against

Cotometism doesn’t follow party lines. It doesn’t wear a team jersey.
But it is clear about what gets in the way of real freedom:

Systems that treat people like parts in a machine
Programs that pretend to help but just keep you stuck
Rules that lead with force instead of reason
Institutions that grow just to grow—even if life doesn’t get better for anyone

4. What Cotometism Supports

It backs anything that helps people live freely, capably, and responsibly.

That might mean:

Giving folks a fair shot at tools and training
Building rules people can understand and fix
Working together by choice, not pressure
Having leaders who clear the path instead of blocking the way

5. The Cotometist Question

Every idea, law, tool, or decision gets held up to this:

Does this make people more able to shape their own lives—now and in the long run?

If it does, we build on it.
If it doesn’t, we think again.