When I think of behaviors or convictions from the past now considered superstitious, I can’t help but find many modern analogs. It’s not difficult when we define superstition as follows: a belief in something in spite of the absence of supporting facts or evidence.
Tag: slavery
The Guilt Lurking Behind ‘Work-Life Balance’ Questions
I don’t like dividing up my life into work/family/fun etc. I prefer to think of my overarching purpose or goal in life as the thing I’m always up to. For me, it’s to live as free as possible, help others do the same, and enjoy the process. Then I consider all my activities in light of how they help do this.
Nationalism, Globalism, Slavery, Death
Isn’t it strange that nationalists consider the desire to see everyone free of political bullies to be “globalism”? I guess it shows where their alliances lie: Against liberty and humanity.
First, Do Not Destroy Scarce Resources
If there is one lesson that everyone should learn from studying even the most elementary economics, and if there is one major intellectual gift that sound economists gave humanity, then it is precisely this vaccine against Orwellian superstition, according to which destruction contains any productive value.
You Can’t Have It Both Ways, Constitutionalists
It doesn’t matter if they try to govern others with socialism, communism, republicanism, democracy, theocracy, or some other version of statism. Governing others is always a violation of Rightful Liberty.
Was Antebellum Slavery More Tolerable Than Soviet Communism?
Average slaves in America were ‘owned’ by people who could legally do just about anything they wanted to their slaves. However, since slaves were so costly, and their work depended greatly on how they were treated … slaves generally had plenty of leisure time, rare physical punishment, and various worldly pleasures at their disposal. Of course, this in no way justifies slavery, and there are plenty of stories of absolute brutality of some individuals.
The Welfare of Society is not the Welfare of the State
Society and the state do not share the same progress chart. The welfare of one doesn’t positively correlate with the welfare of the other. In fact, most of the time, there is an inverse relationship.
A Vaccine Against Orwellian Superstition
If there is one lesson that everyone should learn from studying even the most elementary economics, and if there is one major intellectual gift that sound economists gave humanity, then it is precisely this vaccine against Orwellian superstition, according to which destruction contains any productive value.
I am…
…a libertarian because I believe in maximizing liberty and minimizing aggression. I recognize the maximum amount of liberty requires there be no one who can violate liberty free of rightful consequences.
Must My Kids Play with Your Kids, Just Cause?
I want my kids to learn that if they want someone’s time and attention, they need to earn. It’s not owed to them. Even as their parent I don’t believe I owe them time and attention. I choose, happily, to give it. Most of the time. Some of the time they’re super annoying and I walk away. When they get upset, I tell them openly and honestly how I’m feeling and why I’m leaving. I don’t shame them. That’s stupid, too. But I don’t hide the fact that I’m feeling annoyed by their behavior, and if they want me to stay, they should take a breather and consider changing it.