Book Recommendation - Born Free, Walking in Chains

Strongly Recommended by Scholars, Experts, and Media Critics!

Recommended Preface by Chang Li-Ching (Chair Professor, Shih Chien University; CEO, International Research Foundation for AI Law)

Eighteenth-century Enlightenment thinker Jean-Jacques Rousseau said: "Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains." This statement was originally directed at the authority of religion and politics, yet it also subtly points toward the modern era. The state's brutal authority has been constrained by law, which is the manifestation of the spirit of liberalism. The core of liberalism is "to use law to restrict the government's use of power; even the greatest political authority must bow before the law." However, digital technology offers the state another opportunity or channel to infringe upon freedom. The author mentions (pp. 92-94): "Solely based on flight patterns in passenger data, we could become 'suspects'; the police can dox a person using public resources and the entire internet; the digital security state poses a greater threat to us than digital capitalism." Rousseau's words can be applied to the modern age.

The trial digital technology imposes on our spiritual freedom is greater than before. On the surface, we all appear to have gained freedom. In reality, we cannot escape the interference of digital technology with our liberty.

It is extremely difficult to escape the interference of digital technology with our freedom. This requires not only inner stability but also simple living conditions. Modern society is complex, and a life free from interference is almost unattainable. Modern people cannot avoid using mobile phones; technological progress leaves phone users with no choice but to abandon old products and buy new ones. For example, after the advent of smartphones, the few who insisted on using traditional phones were also forced to abandon their conviction and switch to smartphones. The continuous updating of phone features creates a huge temptation, leading many people to constantly chase new products.

Even if technology is neutral, it can oppress freedom. The core of freedom is the ability to choose, but when a person cannot choose due to technological advancement, they can hardly enjoy complete freedom.

The encroachment of technological development on freedom will deepen further. The book's prologue mentions: "In the digital age, ..., we are driven by technology, constantly checking the pulse displayed on smartwatches, deciding where we go based on hotel ratings, grabbing our smartphones whenever there is movement, and losing ourselves in the whirlpool of YouTube videos. This is a system, a system with strong hooks, slowly hanging us up, depriving us of freedom." Hence, on page 57, the author writes: "In the digital age, the freedom of self-determination is even more important. This means we must have the capacity to form our own will, the capacity to be free from manipulation." On page 70, the author emphasizes again: "The hardest battle now will be against ourselves, against our own biological nature, against our own manipulability." I particularly like the term the author uses: "our own manipulability." We always think we champion freedom, but we are always unconsciously being led by the nose.

The author’s words already serve as a warning that modern people's spiritual freedom is facing a severe test. The encroachment of the digital age on freedom will become increasingly greater. The title of the first chapter of this book is striking: "The Threats to Our Freedom Are Greater Than Ever." The impact of digital technology on freedom is comprehensive, including both external and internal freedom. The largest portion of this book is the first chapter, which explains how digital technology is being misused by individuals, corporations, or government agencies, what kind of encroachment this brings upon external freedom, and what kind of impact it has on people's decision-making.

The author provides conclusive evidence (pp. 80-88) of the terrible impact brought about by the right-wing's use of digital technology. He even says excitedly: "In order to forward messages to a wider audience, right-wing populists skillfully utilize the outrage mechanisms of traditional and social media; this maneuver is utterly shameless." He also claims: "There is a correlation between posts about the German Alternative for Germany (AfD) party on social media and the occurrence of violent attacks on refugees." Therefore, the author continues: "In such an atmosphere of public outrage, people's decisions are no longer free, nor are they in their own best interest."

What the author intends to express is that the misuse of media in the digital age, on one hand, distorts the freedom of individual decisions, and on the other hand, leads to a serious attack on the external freedom of others.

The invasion of freedom by digital technology also comes from the state. The author's accusations are numerous, and here I will only cite the situation in Germany. After World War II, Germany deeply reflected on human rights philosophy, and its legal system was correspondingly reformed. We studied and drew lessons from Germany, looking to it as a standard. However, the author points out another side of the German government's infringement on freedom, which is worthy of vigilance. On page 91, the author writes: "The German Federal Intelligence Service (BND) has full legal authority to scan all intercepted communications outside of Germany. ...The German Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) has built a giant database that stores large amounts of personal data belonging to individuals with no criminal record or merely suspicion of crime. Moreover, it stores and processes detailed information of all international flight passengers and intends to include data from bus, railway, and sea travelers."

As we frequently travel in and out of Germany, our personal data is being reviewed. If Germany, a country with mature rule of law and a strong capacity for self-reflection, utilizes digital technology in this manner, let alone other places.

In the book's third chapter, the author proposes the direction for saving freedom, which lies in establishing a set of rules to restrain the powerful and protect the weak. Primarily, these include: economic regulation and the restraint of state power. Under these two restraints, several sub-items are introduced. Chapter Three serves as the author's response to Chapter One.

When the author wrote this book, generative AI had not yet been released, so he did not address the more complex issues arising from the application of generative AI across various fields. Nonetheless, his talent and vision are already admirable. The problems the author pointed out in 2020 remain unresolved to this day. Following the emergence of generative AI, the issues highlighted years ago have become even more severe and trickier to handle. One cannot help but admire the author's true foresight.

The author, Bijan Moini, studied in Paris and earned his Doctor of Laws degree from Humboldt University of Berlin. After obtaining his doctorate, he worked in Hong Kong, which gave him a firsthand understanding of Eastern political economy and culture. He is a lawyer, political scientist, and human rights activist with German and Iranian heritage, as well as an excellent literary writer with several novels published. Due to these factors, his perspective is broad, his pen is sharp, his writing is smooth, and his text carries fervor, especially in his dissatisfaction with the far-right.

The translation by Director Lee Chien-Liang is extremely elegant and fluent, without the awkwardness typical of translated texts, which is truly admirable. Translation is a form of re-creation, requiring the translator to be proficient in two languages, and even conversant in two cultural traditions. Director Lee's legal foundation is profound and well-respected. His writing is refined and clear, making his published discourses accessible. This reminds me of Bernhard Schlink, a constitutional professor at Humboldt University of Berlin, who is both a vital public law scholar and an excellent literary writer, whose works have been translated into over thirty languages. Both individuals have made outstanding achievements in the field of public law, and both possess delicate writing styles and excellent literary skill.

This book, translated by Director Lee, is worth a thorough read by legal professionals to reflect on how contemporary legal systems should respond to the development of the digital age. It is even more worthy of reading by technology professionals to recognize the necessity of viewing the truth of the digital age with a soul of freedom. I also highly recommend it to everyone concerned with issues of freedom and human rights. The impact of digital technology on human society is comprehensive, regardless of individual willingness, profession, or nationality. How to maintain freedom and beauty in the digital age is an important issue we must explore together.

Please refer to the following: https://www.ylib.com/activity/YLib2025/book-info.asp?itemNo=YLL66