An old Chinese folk wisdom holds, "Of all the thirty-six ways to get out of trouble, the best way is-leave."
I read this yesterday in The Sovereign Individual, a book I’ve been reading on and off for the past few weeks.
My reading zone hasn't stabilize yet to be consistent in this domain, but I have this consolation of reading many articles per day, so that still counts towards building reading consistency.
In this book, the context through which the Chinese folk wisdom was brought up is with regards to individuals(and businesses by extension) leaving their native country when the circumstances no longer serves them.
The authors frame this as a response to an era where geographic and political boundaries are becoming less rigid, thanks to the rise of digital technologies and global connectivity.
And this is coming from the backdrop of government overreach in terms of excessive taxation, regulatory strangulation, or policies that erode personal freedom(s).
Needless to say, this has already begun to happen;
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Entrepreneurs relocating to places like Dubai or Singapore, where tax regimes are friendlier and innovation is encouraged.
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Digital nomads who leverage remote work to live in countries with lower costs of living while earning in stronger currencies.
The Mechanisms at Play That Make This Possible
The mechanisms enabling this kind of “leaving” are a product of technology and globalization colliding in ways that previous generations couldn’t imagine.
First, there’s the internet, which has obliterated geographic barriers.
As unrealistic as it may sound to my inner self, I can seemingly run a business from a laptop in Kazakhstan and serve clients in markets I’ll never physically visit.
Cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology take this further with allowing individuals to store and transfer wealth without relying on banks and governments that might freeze accounts or impose capital controls.
Then there’s global mobility programs, which are another interesting piece of the puzzle.
A country like Portugal is offering digital nomad visas or “golden visa” programs to attract talent and capital.
These programs are essentially invitations to leave one system for another that’s more welcoming.
It’s a competitive market for sovereignty now as nations are vying to be the destination of choice for the world’s most mobile and resourceful individuals.
A cultural shift is at play too.
People are less tethered to the idea of “home” as a fixed place. I feel this in myself too, while I love the idea of having strong roots at a specific place, I’m also drawn to the freedom of being able to redefine where and how I live.
Being a human in the 21st century comes with interesting contradictions lol.
To Leave or Not to Leave
I mostly understand the concept of leaving as opting out of systems, mindsets, or environments that no longer serve you. Having an agency that refused to be stuck arbitrary physical/mental constraints.
Yet, the decision to leave or stay is also deeply personal, and it’s worth exploring both sides.
Why leave? If a government’s policies stifle my ability to create, innovate, or live as I choose, why should I stay loyal to it?
In this sense, leaving can be an act of courage, a way of saying, “I deserve better, and I’m going to find it.”
But there’s another side to consider, why stay?
Sometimes, staying comes from a place of resilience and fighting to change a system from within. You feel this sense of duty to a place that has shaped you.
I think about my own ties with those who I've lived in physical proximity for years, the familiarity of certain streets or routines. Leaving might mean sacrificing those intangibles, and that’s not really a small thing.
Plus, not everyone has the means to leave.
The folk wisdom doesn’t say leaving is always the answer, just that it’s often the best one when trouble looms.
I think the true insight here is realizing there's a choice to be made.
Whether I choose to leave or stay, the power lies in knowing I can decide and that’s a privilege my ancestors, bound by geography and tradition, rarely had.
I think the structure isn’t there anymore for blindly accepting the status quo.
The old model of staying where you’re born, work within the system, hope for the best is crumbling or has already crumbled.
Thanks for reading!! Share your thoughts below on the comments.