Childhood Autonomy, Revoking Consent, Dangerous Cults, & Opting-Out (27m) – Editor’s Break 067

Editor’s Break 067 has Skyler giving his commentary on the following topics: respecting his children’s autonomy and how that will impact today and tomorrow’s culture, the importance of protecting consent and the revocation of consent, and potential penalties for doing so, “no action is heinous enough to merit the forceful removal of the rights of innocent people”, the characteristics of the kind of dangerous cult that society should not tolerate, and why he’s chosen to opt-out of government.

Warning: Dangerous Cult!

This is a serious warning to all parents about a nefarious and very dangerous cult that has recently been approaching and recruiting innocent but ignorant souls, enticing them into joining a very violent gang—which is really more of a cult than a mere gang. This cult has been responsible for countless murders, acts of terrorism, and many other forms of violence. And the members of the cult have been so brainwashed that they view their violent aggression against innocents as being righteous and noble, because they have been taught that such actions are for the common good, because they serve the religious “vision” of the group’s leaders, which involves coercing everyone else into blind obedience to the agenda and decrees of the leaders of the group, and into compliance with their view of how everyone and everything should be.

The Propagation of Knowledge

People don’t pass you information because it is true, they pass you information because it benefits them to do so. People don’t study information because it is true, people study what information benefits them. This isn’t a slight at scientists. Few people would suggest that scientists ought to spend time studying information that has no benefit. Many scientists study information based off of flawed premises built within the culture. Few scientists get grants from disinterested parties. The force that links “knowledge” to accuracy or truth is incentives.

Community Service Bill, Punching Nazis, Constitution as Socialism, & My Ethical Framework (39m) – Editor’s Break 065

Editor’s Break 065 has Skyler giving his commentary on the following topics: his Utah bill to allow community service in lieu of paying a fine for an infraction or misdemeanor, the morality of punching neo-Nazis, why constitutionalism is a pure manifestation of socialism, why slavery is wrong according to his ethical framework, and more.

Creating Structure to Go Deep

A friend of mine was telling me about two of the most successful times of his often very scattered life … and they both came when he was very focused on one learning project. Having a single focus really allowed him to grow — not only to deeply learn the topic he was studying, but to grow as a person. He’s been experiencing that kind fo focus recently, picking one project and really giving it his full focus. But his question was this: how should I combine having one clear main project for this year, while also doing lots of other things I want to do? Basically, he wants to create focus and depth in one project, but still maintain his health, business, relationship, and mindfulness practice. It’s a good question.