Love Is Powerless

The lure of domination lurks wherever we hold the keys. And there isn’t much self-actualization going on in a relationship between unequals. If you really want to see someone come alive and become more “themself” – in other words, if you want to love them – you’re going to have to give up the keys. You have to surrender your power.

Ian’s Journey, Communal Living, & Nonviolent Communication (1h10m) – Episode 090

Episode 090 welcomes Ian Mayes to the podcast for a chat with Skyler. Topics include: libertarian socialism / post-left anarchism and voluntaryism, Max Stirner and egoism, authoritarian parenting, “Taking Children Seriously” movement, living in egalitarian communes, intentional communities, nonviolent communication, Carl Rogers, ideological meetups, trademark-based censorship, Star Trek, and much more.

Blaming the Victim, or Digging for Wisdom?

As a man dedicated to stopping the widespread abuse of children, I am very much an ally in this particular fight (“Me too.”). I don’t deserve to be attacked like this. These people don’t know me and the work that I do. They don’t know the trauma I’ve suffered and its long-term effects, effects that I deal with every day of my life. They were wrong to do what they did, but they are not alone in carrying responsibility.

Dying for the Empire Is Not Heroic

Predictably, the news media spent most of the week examining words Donald Trump may or may not have spoken to the widow of an American Green Beret killed in Niger, in northwest Africa, in early October. Not only was this coverage tedious, it was largely pointless. We know Trump is a clumsy boor, and we also know that lots of people are ready to pounce on him for any sort of gaffe, real or imagined. Who cares? It’s not news. But it was useful to those who wish to distract Americans from what really needs attention: the U.S. government’s perpetual war.