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My interpretation of OP is not that taking away personal freedoms is a feature, but that personal freedom absolutism is a bug.

Giving up some freedom is always a consequence of society: your freedom to swim in a lake is at odds with my freedom to dump sewage there.

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Excellent point. Most people don't want to swim in a sewerage. Except of course if someone tells them that vague concepts such as sovereignty is more important than swimming in a lake.

That seems like a poorly disguised dig at Brexit.

I'd hope that Germany of all countries understands the importance of sovereign democratic government and the harsh conditions people will endure to preserve it.

In fact the behaviour of Germany (and France) in recent times has seriously worsened my perception of these countries. I wouldn't say they're clearly better in my view than the USA, despite Trump.

Germany seems to go to some extremes in that regard, though. E.g. I don't see why this kind of censorship is necessary or even desirable for any valid social purpose:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTQ1eBiRRRo

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