Which would you prefer
If you had to choose would you rather be a wolf or a dog?
Quick guess? Most people would choose the wolf.
- Proud
- Strong
- Independent
- Loyal
- Free
The dog?
The ultimate simp. Totally dependent on their owner. Do what they are told and are the very definition of "Sit, Beg, Roll Over and Beg".
But...I bet most people would be a dog if they think about it
I have a dog and in our house we are pretty sure he leads the easiest and most carefree life.
Let me ask a few more questions and use a wolf / dog analogy along with them?
Do you prefer working or not?
A wolf has to hunt every single day. No hunting = no eating = no life. The dog? Food provided twice a day the only "work" is begging for extras at the dinner table.
Do you prefer walking places or catching a ride?
No cheating by justifying "my job is too far for me to walk". Wolves don't get rides. If they need to go to a new part of the forest for food? They walk and could put on kilometers in a day that a human would never think of traversing. My dog?
Much much shorter distances and only for necessary exercise.
Do you enjoy snuggling in for a nice movie?
The wolf must always be vigilant. Threats come from every angle. Who knows when a bear, cougar or other predator might show up to challenge him. My dog?
Totally wants to cuddle with dad on the couch. Sure he is always on the "alert" for "intruders" and will bark if he senses someone nearby but I doubt he is prepared for a fight.
Do you like sleeping soundly in a warm bed and safe home?
Wolves do indeed make dens to sleep and live in. Then again, if a grizzly bear decides he wants the den? The wolves lose their home. Or I suppose they could fight and maybe drive off the bear but also might lose one of their pack in the process. My dog? He never thinks about his safety while sleeping...or his dignity.
Yes I know its a recycled picture but it fit so well here :)
Do you prefer having access to doctors and healthcare?
A wolf knows all too well that one injury can mean death. One cut, one bite, one wrong move and it can mean disability, illness and death. My dog? He gets a free trip to the veterinarian if he gets ill. No worries at all.
I could go on for a long time....
The fact remains. A dog is domesticated and has all his needs met by his owner. Having a mate (or not), food, shelter, medical care, exercise, entertainment, safety, etc. The dog has it all provided each day, every day. The wolf? A constant fight against a cruel world where one misstep can mean his end,
Sure a wolf IS free
... but the dog gets everything for free
So the Hive learners asked...
Privacy or Security
In a way this is much like asking WOLF or DOG. A wolf has no handler, no owner, and his life is his own just as his secrets are. The downside of course is that life is a constant struggle. The dog is owned. He has no secrets (with the possible exception of what he is chasing when he is running in his sleep) but he has security. He has no worries or cares. Just enjoys playing with family and chasing squirrels. Eating food and sleeping peacefully.
(He keeps trying to jump and catch the squirrel but its a lot higher than he can jump)
and I have a sneaky suspicion that most people are going to choose privacy if they are asked. Then again, if you look a little deeper I bet many people are going to choose security
Would you :
- Give up information to access Uber/Grab?
- Give up information to access healthcare
- Give up information to access housing
- Give up information to access social welfare benefits
- Subject to rules and tracking to live in a crime free society?
But it isn't an all of nothing choice
Now in real life we aren't choosing wolf or dog. We aren't choosing Caveman or Urbanite. People have chosen to give up much of their privacy and freedom to be part of a society that helps them survive and live a better life.
As for myself?
I'm more of a dog person myself but I'd preface that just a little bit. A dog with a good owner leads a pretty good life. A dog with a bad owner can lead a miserable life. I would love to freely embrace security but as there are many bad people out there I like to look carefully at my privacy options.
In Canada I am pretty happy to submit to the security options. There are other countries in the world where... I'd want to make myself much more private.
And a final thought for 
For everyone else? Thanks for reading down this far as I really appreciate the viewership and if you feel like leaving a comment? I really enjoy those also.