--- title: "LISTEN: Is freedom just another word for nothing left to lose?" description: "Most arguments in favour of freedom are positive: the correlation between freedom and human development goals is, generally speaking, pretty strong. But actually, the most powerful arguments in favour of freedom are negative: if you live in a place where freedom is limited and autocrats, your chances of ending up dead are pretty high. South Africa celebrated Freedom Day this week, and in this podcast, entrepreneur Mark Barnes and journalist Tim Cohen discuss the famous - and famously cryptic - line in Kris Kristofferson’s song Me and Bobby McGee, “freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose”. And we conclude, actually, it isn’t." type: "NewsArticle" publisher: "Daily Maverick" site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za" section: "Podcasts" author: "Mark Barnes and Tim Cohen" author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/mark-barnes-and-tim-cohen/" canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-04-29-listen-is-freedom-just-another-word-for-nothing-left-to-lose/" published: "2025-04-29T19:45:32" updated: "2025-04-29T19:45:37" lang: "en-ZA" word_count: 153 --- # LISTEN: Is freedom just another word for nothing left to lose? > Most arguments in favour of freedom are positive: the correlation between freedom and human development goals is, generally speaking, pretty strong. But actually, the most powerful arguments in favour of freedom are negative: if you live in a place where freedom is limited and autocrats, your chances of ending up dead are pretty high. South Africa celebrated Freedom Day this week, and in this podcast, entrepreneur Mark Barnes and journalist Tim Cohen discuss the famous - and famously cryptic - line in Kris Kristofferson’s song Me and Bobby McGee, “freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose”. And we conclude, actually, it isn’t. By Mark Barnes and Tim Cohen · Published 29 April 2025, 21:45 SAST · Updated 29 April 2025, 21:45 SAST ## Key points - In a poetic twist of fate, Pope Francis, the humble reformer who aimed to modernize the Church, took his final bow just a day after delivering Easter blessings, leaving behind a legacy that even the most devout might find hard to ignore—especially when paired with a cheeky proposal for a new government office to tackle VAT woes. - Pope Francis passed away on Easter weekend, leaving behind a legacy of compassion and reform within the Catholic Church. - Known for his humility, he delivered Easter blessings just hours before his death at age 88. - In a podcast discussion, Mark Barnes and Tim Cohen reflect on Francis's impact and lessons for those beyond the church. - Barnes proposes a new government office to address fair market value, potentially mitigating VAT increases. ## Content [![Image](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/DailyMaverickMasthead_BlackRed_VECTOR-2.svg)](http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/) ![Image](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/1000x250-Banner-SUB_compressed-1.gif) [Media](https://player.simplecast.com/92730eaf-218f-4fdd-a71f-933d662f9626?dark=false&color=97CBD5) [![Image](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/DailyMaverickMasthead_BlackRed_VECTOR-2.svg)](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/) ![Image](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/600x250-Banner-SUB-2_compressed.gif) [Media](https://player.simplecast.com/92730eaf-218f-4fdd-a71f-933d662f9626?dark=false&color=97CBD5) [![Listen On Spotify](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Listen-720x213.png)](https://open.spotify.com/show/4yWQE0oBOuD5jG9SBv7629?si=ReMs2biHS-mQLm1REMcXkQ&nd=1&dlsi=e96bec2853b547ad) [![Listen On Spotify](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Listen-720x213.png)](https://open.spotify.com/show/4yWQE0oBOuD5jG9SBv7629?si=ReMs2biHS-mQLm1REMcXkQ&nd=1&dlsi=e96bec2853b547ad) [![Image](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Apple-Podcasts-1-720x213.png)](https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/stand-up-business/id1671805186) [![Listen On Apple Podcasts](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Apple-Podcasts-2.png)](https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/stand-up-business/id1671805186) [![Image](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Youtube-Music-720x213.png)](https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaPH68a91__unkVyhbGtGjlSWwoclPWzh) [![Listen On Youtube Music](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Youtube-Music-1-720x213.png)](https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaPH68a91__unkVyhbGtGjlSWwoclPWzh) Pope Francis, not for nothing the namesake of St Francis of Assisi, died on Easter weekend, a wonderful coda to a remarkable career. Francis was a compassionate reformer who tried to modernise the church, and it was a mark of his humility that he appeared in public to deliver Easter blessings less than 24 hours before his death. In this podcast, entrepreneur Mark Barnes and Daily Maverick Editor-at-Large Tim Cohen discuss his legacy, lessons for those outside the church, and, would you believe, the significance of his passing at the age of 88. Barnes also has an idea that could obviate the VAT increase: a new office in government - the office of fair market value. Enjoy! Hosted by Mark Barnes & Tim Cohen **Produced**by Tevya Turok Shapiro **Music & Design**by Bernard Kotze Hosted by Mark Barnes & Tim Cohen Produced by Tevya Turok Shapiro Music & Design by Bernard Kotze [![Image](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/WhatsAppSHARE.png)](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailymaverick.co.za%2Fstand-up-business%2F) [![Image](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/NewsletterFooter.gif)](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/dm-podcasts/) [![Image](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/NEWSLETTER-FOOTER.gif)](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/dm-podcasts/)