I think the name of the article was wrong. The article told how it was canceled, not why.
I saw an interview with Whedon. He said he'd read Killer Angels by Michael Shaara, a civil war book (and quite a good one at that). He thought about the losing side, and what could have happened to individuals on it.
Firefly was centered around a ship full of people exhibiting self reliance and living free in an unfree world. People who would not buckle under to the Alliance. An Alliance that could not be trusted. In Episode 3 Bushwhacked, Mal admits to being on the losing side of a war, but not the wrong side. In Episode 4 Shindig, Mal said that there was nothing wrong with moving one mans goods to others "what need them."
Most science fiction tv shows are either brain numbing drivel (Babylon 5) or subtly promoting one world ideals (ever notice the mark on the forehead in Star Gate?).
Why do I think it was canceled? It sent messages entirely antithetical to the usual message that Hollywood churns out. It sent a message that certain people in positions of power would not want consumed by a sleeping public.
