I’m finding that many moderates, libertarians and independents have lost perspective on left/right cultural dynamics. I think, sometimes, their desire to not take sides (good for them), has made them equate both sides to being equal in effect and harm.
Author: Aaron White
Aaron White, married to a swell girl, is a business owner and unschooling father of two, going on three. His hobbies are music and poker. He resides in Southern California.
The Many Uses of Argumentation
The root of an idea a person has is generally going to shine through when you have a discussion and make strong arguments against their (main) points. When someone has intellectual integrity and likes to believe that they believe things due to reason and evidence … they will be put into a difficult position.
Thoughts on Internal Values and Instincts
We all want someone who we share values with, and is funny and we can share a good time with. However, I think people often get too clouded by problematic ways of thinking to understand there is something much deeper going on. We haven’t surpassed nature, we won’t, and we can’t.
Display Authority, Feed Values, Prescribe Rules, Hide Vice
I dislike how parents generally act around their kids. They play a role, they have written an approved script, and they hope for everyone to play along. Some of this is due to poor information (or poorly understood information) and some of it is purely to display authority and power over their children.
The Same Philosophical Premises Regarding the Flag
In some ways, I think shitting on the flag is worse than loving the flag. If you hate your tribe so much, choose a different tribe.
Bravery Isn’t Easy, and It’s Overrated
You are brave when you will lose stuff you deeply desire in order to live by principles you believe in, with no other immediate perceived reward. That being said, bravery is overrated.
Libertarian Universalism Won’t Be a Successful Strategy
We don’t have great products and services because high minded individuals searched for a greater cause that required virtue and nuance. We have great products because of how complex markets works in satisfying consumer desires.
Tying Yourself to Identity is Foolish
I think it is natural to tie your ego into your characteristics in a wholistic way. It is also good to like aspects about your being that you think are productive to your goals and values. That being said, i think it an absolute disaster to tie your ego into individual or small groups of characteristics you hold. This is why I am so against “identity.”
Pick Up a Bigger Pile of Shit
When a conversation isn’t about ideas, but rather someone trying to portray dominance through moralizing, intimidation, virtue signaling, disgust, or whatever … I will either opt not to continue the discussion, or I will play to win. I lose all pretense of the conversation being about ideas, and I will merely strategically try to dominate them.
Outrage for Outrage Sake
I will almost never be outraged by what others are outraged by, even if I legitimately find whatever it is to be horrific. This is because the fact that most people feel outraged about something means that it is culturally handled.