A few weeks ago, the NYT reported that “The Coronavirus Has Claimed 2.5 Million Years of Potential Life.” If you read the original study, you’ll discover one crucial caveat: The authors’s calculations assume that COVID victims would have had the standard life expectancy for Americans of their age. They freely admit that this is unrealistic and inflates their estimate.
Tag: liberty
Sobering Thoughts & Stoic Habits (25m) – Episode 045
Episode 045 looks at several Stoic topics: the first from Epictetus who wrote, “Keep death and exile before your eyes each day, along with everything that seems terrible—by doing so, you’ll never have a base thought nor will you have excessive desire.”; and the rest from lists shared by gdm41 and austinthebean to r/Stoicism introduced as, “Hi guys, maybe you are already aware of DailyStoic.com, they send out a daily newsletter with Stoic topics. Last week they sent a good summary of Stoic virtues/habits to avoid”.
Contra Communism, Proper Role of Government, & Misconceptions of Libertarianism (35m) – Episode 430
Episode 430 has Skyler giving his commentary on the following questions from Quora: “Why are you against communism?”; “What is the role of a government in the modern economic system?”; and “What are some negative misconceptions about libertarianism that people should be aware of?”
Peter Hill: The Not So Wild, Wild West, Property Rights on the Frontier (48m)
This episode features a lecture by economics professor emeritus Peter J. Hill from 2016. Hill looks at the development of property rights across the American West in the 19th century.
Brenden’s Journey, MasterTalk, Knowledge, & Personal Development (1h10m) – Episode 429
Episode 429 welcomes Brenden Kumarasamy to the podcast to chat with Skyler on the following topics: his YouTube channel “MasterTalk”; living in Montreal, Canada; Stoicism and sphere of control; older kids still living at home; parenting and kids leaving the nest; knowledge and truth; religion and the afterlife; his favorite anime “Death Note”; collecting stories and trying to live a mistake free life; his top 3 podcasts: “Akimbo” by Seth Godin, “The School of Greatness” by Lewis Howes, and “Impact Theory” by Tom Bilyeu; Warrent Buffet’s focus framework; the value of attending personal development conferences; his book recommendation: Thirst by Scott Harrison; and more
Government Has Too Much Power
If government didn’t have the power to force you to close your business because a new cold virus showed up, and punish you if you ignored its demands, the American economy would still be strong. Much tragedy could have been avoided. The pandemic would have most likely run its course and be only a memory by now.
Reification & Groupthink (22m) – Episode 044
Episode 044 looks at the logical fallacy Reification and the cognitive bias Groupthink.
Absurd Thanksgiving Guidelines Reveal an Astonishing Level of Government Overreach
When we get to the point where individuals find it “natural” for the government to tell us how to take turns eating our Thanksgiving turkey, a pandemic is the least of our concerns.
“The Science is Settled” is Religion, Not Science
People who trust science– as a method and not as a religion– understand this limitation. It’s why they don’t demand political action based on their observations. They might give you advice they believe to be important, but they won’t suggest using the violence of the state against you if you don’t take that advice.
I just can’t believe that people who claim to be “listening to the science” or “trusting science” are still supporting shutdowns and mask mandates. That’s the opposite of trusting or doing science. It shows a lack of understanding of what…
Walter Block: Defending the Speculator (9m)
This episode features an audio essay written by economics professor and Austro-libertarian Walter Block from 1976, and which comprises Chapter 22 of Defending the Undefendable.