If I were a guest on a podcast or an interview broadcast, when asked about my major influences, I would stick close to the names repeated by voluntaryists — Spooner, Bastiat, Jefferson, Mencken, Mises, Hazlitt, Rothbard, Higgs, and Woods. But in this more expansive context, I can stretch out to discuss the influences who made me a voluntaryist before I knew I was one, before I knew to read the internal literature of the voluntaryist, libertarian, individualist mainstream. Three such influences are Alan Turing, Dan Carlin, and Ruth Rendell.
Tag: world
The Back Story 024 – The Secret Bank You Can’t Afford to Ignore (3m)
The Back Story 024 looks at the conspiratorial origins of the largest central bank in the world.
The Eternal Dilemma: Revenge or Forgiveness?
I’m obviously going to argue against revenge, so I should just say that now rather than acting like it’s going to surprise you. Instead, let me present my arguments against revenge, then offer up a different approach.
Two Points on Generational Whining
“Back in my day…” it often starts out. The older generations are wont to bitch and moan about the newer generations. It’s a tale as old as time. I’ve read quotes going back to Socrates showing elders whining about the youngins. Since it’s been on my mind, I thought I’d share two points in favor of the idea that complaining about young people is stupid.
The Division of Labor is Valuable Even in a Perfectly Equal World
If I can imagine a single scenario in which two people with zero difference in skill or preference can both benefit from the division of labor and exchange, my answer was correct and the professor was wrong. (This was like 10 years ago. Still, can’t let it go.)
Ripping Asunder and Incinerating Children
Collectivism is not only the greatest enemy of sound economic reasoning. It is even more so the greatest enemy of sound moral reasoning. Sad to say, I am trapped in a world in which such unsound — indeed, often monstrous — argumentation is more the rule than the exception. May God have mercy.
My Children Deserve My Time and Attention
I don’t want my children feeling superior to others, that they are owed something from them. I want them to learn that persuasion and negotiation, kindness and acceptance, are the best ways to make and keep friends. That when they view others as an opportunity for mutual benefit, as versus someone to be used and then discarded, they will develop better, stronger, and longer-lasting relationships with others.
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.
Alexa the Speech Pathologist
Alexa’s approach worked ten times better than ours. My daughter doesn’t have perfect pronunciation, but it’s much better than it was. And the shame of working on pronunciation for parental approval is gone. My daughter doesn’t distinguish speech practice from play time.
The Back Story 023 – America’s Dirty Secret (3m)
The Back Story 023 looks at what really happened with Japanese internment during World War II.