By now Randolph Bourne’s observation that “war is the health of the state” ought to be such a cliché that it would hardly need to be said. And yet, it must be said — often — because many still haven’t gotten the word.
Category: Blogs
The official Everything-Voluntary.com blog.
Imperial Delusion is the Enemy of Peace and Prosperity
As Russia’s war in Ukraine drags into its eighth month, the European Union scrambles for energy to heat its homes and power its industry in the coming winter, the US and China continue to rattle sabers at each other over Taiwan, and smaller actual and potential conflicts rage around the world, it seems like a good time to take stock of two old, busted, worn-out terms: “American hegemony” and “unipolar world.”
Rothbard Contra the Demagogue
If you listen to successful politicians speak, and fail to realize that they’re speaking strings of pretty lies, you’re missing the point. To understand politics deeply, just ask one follow-up question: “Why is speaking strings of pretty lies the path to power?” The bitter answer: Because in politics, pretty lies are what most people want to hear.
What Can Parents Do When School Isn’t Working for Their Child?
At this time of year, many parents may be starting to look for other education options for their children.
Politicians Aren’t Better Than You
It seems it should be obvious to everyone by now: those who seek positions of political power can’t even run their own lives; they certainly shouldn’t be allowed to run yours. No one is less qualified to do so.
Ellsworth Toohey
“A world of obedience and unity. A world where the thought of each man will not be his own, but an attempt to guess the thought of the brain of his neighbor who’ll have no thought of his own.”
Sam Harris on Saving Democracy from Voters
Neuroscientist/philosopher Sam Harris caused quite a stir recently by defending the social networks’ conspiracy (his word) to suppress news coverage of Joe Biden’s son Hunter’s smoking-gun laptop shortly before Election Day 2020. Harris said the suppression was justified because Donald Trump was such a threat to America that he had to be defeated whatever the cost to the election’s integrity.
What Happened to the Internet?
I had a naïve assumption that the internet meant the release of information permanently. That everything – good, bad, true, false – would make its way online, and therefore be forever findable.
We Blame the Parents
After a consensus that the world was topsy-turvy, the most vocal segment claimed that parents were to blame. The implication was that earlier generations of parents were better.
Liberty Trumps Rule of The Majority
Democracy is nothing but mob rule; might through superior numbers makes “right.” It is nothing to celebrate or fetishize. Those who place faith in democracy are telling you they don’t understand what rights are, nor do they understand the dangers of letting the mob decide which rights to respect and which to ignore.