The Trap: What Happened to Our Dream of Freedom

The Trap presents a thought-provoking analysis of the evolution of freedom in Western societies, particularly focusing on the United States and Britain. Created by Adam Curtis, it traces the development of various concepts of freedom from the post-World War II era to the present day.

The series is divided into three episodes, each addressing different aspects of how our understanding of freedom has changed over time. It begins by exploring the rise of game theory during the Cold War and its influence on economic thought. The documentary highlights the work of mathematician John Nash, whose models of human behavior, including the game “F**k You Buddy,” promoted a view of individuals as inherently selfish and calculating.

As the narrative progresses, it examines how these ideas permeated various aspects of society, from politics to psychiatry. The documentary discusses how the concept of freedom became increasingly associated with individual self-interest and market-driven ideologies, particularly during the era of Margaret Thatcher. It also delves into the rise of data-driven decision-making and performance targets in public services, which paradoxically may have limited rather than expanded personal freedoms.

The final part of the series introduces the concepts of positive and negative liberty, as defined by political theorist Isaiah Berlin. It contrasts the idea of freedom as the absence of coercion (negative liberty) with freedom as the opportunity to fulfill one’s potential (positive liberty). The documentary suggests that the dominance of negative liberty in Western societies has led to a narrow and potentially restrictive form of freedom.

Throughout the series, Curtis weaves together historical events, philosophical concepts, and societal trends to present a complex picture of how our understanding of freedom has evolved and the potential consequences of these changes for individuals and society as a whole.