(Probably Found) Science fiction short story around a phrase "Freedom. I Won't."

[Tikk]

That's the main thing I can remember about the story. "Freedom. I won't"

It was written before the 80s.
I think it was about an Earth visit to a planet they had lost contact with
It had a unique society based on the freedom to say no, or some sort of libertarian utopia....not "fantastically rich" utopia, but you probably get what I mean.
If I remember correctly, the visitors didn't understand a sign that said "F.IW" (or something similar) when they arrived, and it was the driving mystery through the story.

Y'know, it's been niggling the back of my brain for years. I don't think I understood it then, but I have a strong urge to read it again for some reason. lol.

I thought I should ask for help because I have had absolutely no success finding it myself, not matter the search terms....the words in the title aren't exactly rare.

Thank you so much in advance if you can even point me in the general direction.

J

 

[PaulMmn]

It rings a bell... (Quasimodo's face...)

 

[tegeus-Cromis]

Sounds like "Bartleby: The Planet."

(Note: the above is a joke. Don't go looking for a story of that title. But "Freedom. I won't" reminds me of Bartleby's mantra, "I would prefer not to," in Melville's "Bartleby the Scrivener.")

 

[Danny McG]

I've read this, I can't recall the details just now, it's already in this Book Search thread somewhere

 

[Danny McG]

It rings a bell... (Quasimodo's face...)

I had a hunch you would say that

 

[Danny McG]

It's one of the stories in The Great Explosion by Eric Frank Russell.

Extract from Wikipedia entry....

The final planet, K22g, has developed an unusual social system. The population call themselves Gands (after Gandhi) and practise a form of classless, philosophically anarchic libertarianism, based on passive resistance ("Freedom - I won't!" and "Myob!"); and a moneyless gift economy based on barter and favor-exchange, using "obs" (obligations). To perform a service for somebody "lays an ob" on them; they can then "kill the ob" by returning the favor.[1] As the planet's population are demonstrably non-hostile, the officials have to approve shore leave, which brings the crew into contact with the anarchist natives. Many find reasons to stay on the planet, refusing to return to the ship. The officials have to get the ship back into space before they lose so many that the ship will never fly again.

 

[Hugh]

I haven't read "The Great Explosion" but apparently the final section is a reworking/ development of his 1951 short story "And Then There Were None" which I really liked. That said, it was sufficiently lodged on a backburner in my brain that I wouldn't have made the connection if @dannymcg hadn't come up with the goods.

 

[PaulMmn]

Ah, yes! The planet Hygeia...

Did one of the other sections end with one of the misfit crew leaving on a bicycle (with a tire that goes flat)?

 

[Elckerlyc]

Ah, yes! The planet Hygeia...

Did one of the other sections end with one of the misfit crew leaving on a bicycle (with a tire that goes flat)?

That's the section on Gands. But it looks like you found Hygeia more interesting.

 

[Ravensquawk]

It is precisely and exactly "And Then There Were None" by Eric Frank Russell!

 

[Ravensquawk]

That's the section on Gands. But it looks like you found Hygeia more interesting.

"No. The consul there is welcome to that crowd of nakes."
-- "And Then There Were None" by Eric Frank Russell

 

[Ravensquawk]

Ah, yes! The planet Hygeia...

Did one of the other sections end with one of the misfit crew leaving on a bicycle (with a tire that goes flat)?

His tire goes flat, and Rusell even writes a sound effect of the air hissing out. At the end, he rides away on his bike, that de had refused to trade for a blue diamond, because he couldn't ride the diamond.
Dummy. He could have bought a new bike with money left over, and probably couldn't ride it aboard ship anyway.

 

[Ravensquawk]

Oh, sheesh, I have enough seniority to make the title a link now. Good grief.

"And Then There Were None" by Eric Frank Russell

Definitely, beyond any doubt.
One of my favorites of all time.

 

[Danny McG]

This question was asked by @Tikk on 16th January and Tikk hasn't been back on this site since that day.
The full answer wasn't given until four days later.
IMO it hasn't been officially confirmed as the story being searched for until the OP says so.

In conclusion: I don't feel this should be marked as 'found' until Tikk returns (if ever)

 

[The Judge]

Well, it certainly looks like the right story, but the "Found" has now been qualified to reflect the fact we may never know...