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31
General / Weyerbacher.
« on: June 16, 2009, 11:07:35 PM »
I have discovered another quality beer brewer. Weyerbacher (out of Easton, PA) is close to the quality level of microbrew staples such as Stone Breweries and Dogfish Head.
So far I've tried their Zotten wheat ale and Old Heathen imperial stout. I highly recommend them both. They're around 8% alcohol each, and at the time of this posting I'm feeling pretty damn good on my fifth one (alternating between the two).
So far I've tried their Zotten wheat ale and Old Heathen imperial stout. I highly recommend them both. They're around 8% alcohol each, and at the time of this posting I'm feeling pretty damn good on my fifth one (alternating between the two).
32
General / Rum is the only sensible answer.
« on: June 12, 2009, 12:24:51 AM »
Can anybody here think of any food substance that doesn't go well with rum? I can't. Everything from ice cream to fish can be improved at least a little, with rum as an ingredient. Or sipped on the side. Or gulped, whichever.
33
Photoshops / Keynes bumper sticker
« on: June 02, 2009, 12:05:18 AM »
A bit of shameless ad-hominem on my part. I'm thinking of getting some printed.
35
General / I want a bullpup rifle. (Attn: John Shaw)
« on: May 11, 2009, 09:51:21 PM »
They were selling a PS90 for about $2500 at Gander Mountain, and I was thinking of getting one (although I'm sure I can find a much better price). I've also heard good things about the AUG variants, but I like the PS90 design for aesthetic reasons. Any recommendations?
37
General / Reputation rating system
« on: May 01, 2009, 08:34:39 PM »
(Yes, this has been cross-posted by me on a buttload of forums. I'm personally interested in the responses of everyone who sees this.)
Most people who are familiar with libertarian legal theory are aware of the idea of replacing a person's government-declared "legal status" with some form of private reputation rating system, similar to today's credit rating system. This would do away with all sorts of distinctions, including "felon", "citizen", "minor", and others. It is only concerned with whether a person is capable of engaging in peaceful, voluntary and productive association with others, or not (and to what extent in some cases).
I am in favor of the strategy of "building the new society within the shell of the old", so I see no reason why we shouldn't start providing such services now. This is my own imagining of what such a system would look like. Of course, since we're talking about a free market in reputation ratings, there would be different systems, although eventually a standard would be reached. That standard would then be applied by many competing companies.
This is just a few ideas of what I think would work, and what I intend to start in my own community, in conjunction with some Agorist projects with which I intend to become involved. In particular, I am starting a barter registry which I hope will become the basis of counter-economic trade in my area.
Most of this is self-explanatory, but I have a few specific points. First, there ought to be a means of appealing one's status to a third party. I would generally support one appeal in any case where a person's rating would be lowered, but provide two in cases where the result could be a demotion to red or black status. Second, I intentionally made blue the largest category, since I think that is a good default range for people who aren't thugs.
Generally I think demotions would be made as part of a decision by an arbitor, in addition to whatever restitution is determined (or at least, they would recommend a demotion of a certain amount to the rating agencies). Promotions would happen slowly over time, by recommendation from another person of a higher rating, through periodic reviews, or by appeal.
GOLD (Special Status)
A special recognition for excellence in promoting civil order, especially in the resolution of major disputes and/or the prevention of harm against other persons and their property. Must have a "blue" or "silver" status to qualify.
SILVER (81-100 Reputation Score)
Indicates exemplary trustworthiness and politeness in all forms of association, and has no recent history of aggressive or destructive tendencies. Promotes good service and innovation in business practices. An asset to society.
BLUE (51-80 Reputation Score)
No recent history of antisocial tendencies, trustworthy in business practices. A "good neighbor".
GREEN (31-50 Reputation Score)
Baseline "safe". Not a risk to civil order, but has not demonstrated noteworthy positive traits. Exercise basic caution in association.
BROWN (11-30 Reputation Score)
Some history of antisocial tendencies, but is not necessarily a threat. Investigate before forming contracts. May be in a rehabilitation program.
RED (01-10 Reputation Score)
Has demonstrated a tendency toward aggressive and/or destructive action. Cannot be trusted. Rehabilitation possible, but difficult. A liability.
WHITE (No status/never rated)
This person's reputation may be in dispute. May also be a new customer, or a juvenile. No obvious signs of antisocial tendencies. Exercise basic caution in association.
BLACK (0 Reputation Score - Outlaw status)
Do not associate! Regard this person as an imminent threat. Do not assist in any way if possible. Persons who protect or aid such individuals may be subject to severe sanctions. May be a violent sociopath, a serial criminal, or a government agent.
Most people who are familiar with libertarian legal theory are aware of the idea of replacing a person's government-declared "legal status" with some form of private reputation rating system, similar to today's credit rating system. This would do away with all sorts of distinctions, including "felon", "citizen", "minor", and others. It is only concerned with whether a person is capable of engaging in peaceful, voluntary and productive association with others, or not (and to what extent in some cases).
I am in favor of the strategy of "building the new society within the shell of the old", so I see no reason why we shouldn't start providing such services now. This is my own imagining of what such a system would look like. Of course, since we're talking about a free market in reputation ratings, there would be different systems, although eventually a standard would be reached. That standard would then be applied by many competing companies.
This is just a few ideas of what I think would work, and what I intend to start in my own community, in conjunction with some Agorist projects with which I intend to become involved. In particular, I am starting a barter registry which I hope will become the basis of counter-economic trade in my area.
Most of this is self-explanatory, but I have a few specific points. First, there ought to be a means of appealing one's status to a third party. I would generally support one appeal in any case where a person's rating would be lowered, but provide two in cases where the result could be a demotion to red or black status. Second, I intentionally made blue the largest category, since I think that is a good default range for people who aren't thugs.
Generally I think demotions would be made as part of a decision by an arbitor, in addition to whatever restitution is determined (or at least, they would recommend a demotion of a certain amount to the rating agencies). Promotions would happen slowly over time, by recommendation from another person of a higher rating, through periodic reviews, or by appeal.
GOLD (Special Status)
A special recognition for excellence in promoting civil order, especially in the resolution of major disputes and/or the prevention of harm against other persons and their property. Must have a "blue" or "silver" status to qualify.
SILVER (81-100 Reputation Score)
Indicates exemplary trustworthiness and politeness in all forms of association, and has no recent history of aggressive or destructive tendencies. Promotes good service and innovation in business practices. An asset to society.
BLUE (51-80 Reputation Score)
No recent history of antisocial tendencies, trustworthy in business practices. A "good neighbor".
GREEN (31-50 Reputation Score)
Baseline "safe". Not a risk to civil order, but has not demonstrated noteworthy positive traits. Exercise basic caution in association.
BROWN (11-30 Reputation Score)
Some history of antisocial tendencies, but is not necessarily a threat. Investigate before forming contracts. May be in a rehabilitation program.
RED (01-10 Reputation Score)
Has demonstrated a tendency toward aggressive and/or destructive action. Cannot be trusted. Rehabilitation possible, but difficult. A liability.
WHITE (No status/never rated)
This person's reputation may be in dispute. May also be a new customer, or a juvenile. No obvious signs of antisocial tendencies. Exercise basic caution in association.
BLACK (0 Reputation Score - Outlaw status)
Do not associate! Regard this person as an imminent threat. Do not assist in any way if possible. Persons who protect or aid such individuals may be subject to severe sanctions. May be a violent sociopath, a serial criminal, or a government agent.
38
General / Why is Twitter?
« on: April 02, 2009, 11:00:41 PM »
I know what it is, but what's the bloody point?
39
The Polling Pit / Am I the only libertarian (North American) football fan?
« on: January 21, 2009, 10:31:15 PM »
It seems like libertarians tend not to be sports fans. Not only that, but most libertarians I know are actively opposed to the idea of sports fanhood at all, citing its irrationality.
Well, I am a football fan. I realize that there is nothing logical about being a fan of a particular football team. I realize that "we" - Pittsburghers - didn't beat "them" - Baltimore - on Sunday. I realize that being a Steelers fan because I grew up in the Pittsburgh area has no logical basis.
And I don't care.
Although I suppose that having played football myself for several years, I appreciate the strategy involved in the game more than others might, I don't feel like I have to give a "logical" reason for being a Steelers fan. The fact that I think it's fun is reason enough for me. I enjoy the friendly rivalry, I enjoy the suspense, and I also like black and gold (since even before I was a market anarchist).
But anyway. Is anyone else here a football fan? Just curious.
Well, I am a football fan. I realize that there is nothing logical about being a fan of a particular football team. I realize that "we" - Pittsburghers - didn't beat "them" - Baltimore - on Sunday. I realize that being a Steelers fan because I grew up in the Pittsburgh area has no logical basis.
And I don't care.
Although I suppose that having played football myself for several years, I appreciate the strategy involved in the game more than others might, I don't feel like I have to give a "logical" reason for being a Steelers fan. The fact that I think it's fun is reason enough for me. I enjoy the friendly rivalry, I enjoy the suspense, and I also like black and gold (since even before I was a market anarchist).
But anyway. Is anyone else here a football fan? Just curious.
40
The Polling Pit / Did you have an "A-ha moment"?
« on: December 04, 2008, 08:48:48 PM »
I began to rid myself of cognitive dissonance at about 3 minutes to midnight on May 11th, 2007. The moment is forever captured in a facebook conversation, which is why I remember it in such detail. I had been a minarchist for about a year before then, and what changed my mind was being asked a particular question for the first time. I had been told many times, or had it explained to me, how the market could handle security. But at that time, somebody asked me "if the free market does everything better than the state, why can it not provide security and adjudication as well?"
I seriously considered that question for the next hour, and couldn't answer it. I went to sleep at around 2:00 AM on May 12th having decided there was no need for the state, and thus no justification for its existence. It was a few months before I called myself an anarchist, but at that point it was a matter of semantics.
I suppose that most people gradually came to their beliefs over time, but many of us have had single moments at which a contradiction was rectified, or a bit of knowledge gained, or a demonstrative experience which resulted in our changing our paradigm. If you remember having had such an "a-ha moment", describe it here.
I seriously considered that question for the next hour, and couldn't answer it. I went to sleep at around 2:00 AM on May 12th having decided there was no need for the state, and thus no justification for its existence. It was a few months before I called myself an anarchist, but at that point it was a matter of semantics.
I suppose that most people gradually came to their beliefs over time, but many of us have had single moments at which a contradiction was rectified, or a bit of knowledge gained, or a demonstrative experience which resulted in our changing our paradigm. If you remember having had such an "a-ha moment", describe it here.
41
Photoshops / Philosopher All-Stars
« on: November 12, 2008, 11:43:14 PM »
Anyone ever seen these? If not, just check these out and you'll get the idea. Anyway, back when I used to frequent the ProtestWarrior forum, we all started making our own. Here are a few of mine. And if anyone wants me to make one for them, I'm up for it.
42
General / Black market insurance
« on: November 06, 2008, 10:21:50 PM »
Some of you may have heard me talk about this on tonight's show. But since an on-air conversation doesn't really provide the time one needs to fully explain such a big concept, I am posting my thoughts here for your input.
The idea of black market insurance is sort of a branch of Agorist theory. The concept is that as the State makes important goods and services harder to come by, they will emerge naturally as functions of the black market (which, when the state outlaws commerce, contains the free market).
There is historical precedent for the idea of black market insurance. During the height of the Soviet Union's power, and all the way to its dissolution, black market activities provided a major portion of the people's daily needs. Insurers for black market food, medicine, home and car repair, and especially for underground literature publishing, emerged to protect the producers and sellers of those things in the event of their being broken up by the state.
When nations began to stand up to the central authority (though there was very little actual fighting), this sector of the counter-economy helped to finance armed resistance.
I see such a thing as an essential tool for fighting our own statist problem. I believe that the only way we will keep our liberty once it's won, is to have alternative institutions developed to pick up the pieces when the state falls, by whatever means that happens. Black market insurance is one road by which such alternatives may be constructed.
Here is what would need to happen.
1. First, demand for black market goods and services. That's on the way, whether we try to create it or not. For one thing, National Healthcare is coming, and that alone could create billions of dollars worth of counter-economic potential. But there are things already which could be insured, starting with the provision of any victimless "crime".
2. Capital. I don't have any. Nevertheless, I would be willing to contribute what little I have to such a thing if it were put together. It may be a little early to start a counter-economic insurance company in earnest now, but as things get worse, the call for such things will increase massively. Say's law shows that "supply creates its own demand". When the supply of black market liabilities begins to swell - and it will - the demand for their insurance will do likewise.
3. Membership. I believe that it would be absolutely necessary to screen insurants based upon their commitment to the building of a free society. Thus, I would require any potential insurant to sign something like The Liberty Creed (for example). The insurers could pay certified witnesses to supervise the signing - people who are already known to be committed to the principles of liberty, and who are capable of explaining the oath to potential insurants.
4. Decentralization. The capital ought to be spread amongst a large number of safekeepers, none of whom should know the identities of all the others. Perhaps trusted insurants could be given a discount in exchange for keeping a portion of the indemnity funds safe; perhaps insurants and safekeepers should never see one another. That's a matter for further discussion.
As the counter-economy grows, these institutions could begin to cover all sorts of activities: counter-economic banks and credit institutions, farmers, doctors, mechanics - everything. Eventually, a decentralized and competitive black market insurance sector would become interwoven with the entire economy, from marijuana cultivation to unregistered transportation to food and medicine. During this time, market protectors would form around this sector.
In the beginning, their function would be the protection of insurants against the "red market" - against providers of outlawed goods who would undoubtedly object to free competition, and be willing to use violence against their competitors - and regular, unorganized crime. This could work especially well in the inner cities, where state police protection is already virtually nonexistent.
In the end, as happened in the Soviet Union, these companies could serve as the financiers of armed resistance to the state... when that time comes. And for the first time in history, the resistance would be run by people who would have sworn an oath to defend liberty. Or perhaps the state, in face of economic collapse and widespread civil disobedience, would simply dissolve and defect, as in J. Neil Schulman's Alongside Night. In either case, black market insurance would be the first step in developing the better thing which would rise up to take its place.
The idea of black market insurance is sort of a branch of Agorist theory. The concept is that as the State makes important goods and services harder to come by, they will emerge naturally as functions of the black market (which, when the state outlaws commerce, contains the free market).
There is historical precedent for the idea of black market insurance. During the height of the Soviet Union's power, and all the way to its dissolution, black market activities provided a major portion of the people's daily needs. Insurers for black market food, medicine, home and car repair, and especially for underground literature publishing, emerged to protect the producers and sellers of those things in the event of their being broken up by the state.
When nations began to stand up to the central authority (though there was very little actual fighting), this sector of the counter-economy helped to finance armed resistance.
I see such a thing as an essential tool for fighting our own statist problem. I believe that the only way we will keep our liberty once it's won, is to have alternative institutions developed to pick up the pieces when the state falls, by whatever means that happens. Black market insurance is one road by which such alternatives may be constructed.
Here is what would need to happen.
1. First, demand for black market goods and services. That's on the way, whether we try to create it or not. For one thing, National Healthcare is coming, and that alone could create billions of dollars worth of counter-economic potential. But there are things already which could be insured, starting with the provision of any victimless "crime".
2. Capital. I don't have any. Nevertheless, I would be willing to contribute what little I have to such a thing if it were put together. It may be a little early to start a counter-economic insurance company in earnest now, but as things get worse, the call for such things will increase massively. Say's law shows that "supply creates its own demand". When the supply of black market liabilities begins to swell - and it will - the demand for their insurance will do likewise.
3. Membership. I believe that it would be absolutely necessary to screen insurants based upon their commitment to the building of a free society. Thus, I would require any potential insurant to sign something like The Liberty Creed (for example). The insurers could pay certified witnesses to supervise the signing - people who are already known to be committed to the principles of liberty, and who are capable of explaining the oath to potential insurants.
4. Decentralization. The capital ought to be spread amongst a large number of safekeepers, none of whom should know the identities of all the others. Perhaps trusted insurants could be given a discount in exchange for keeping a portion of the indemnity funds safe; perhaps insurants and safekeepers should never see one another. That's a matter for further discussion.
As the counter-economy grows, these institutions could begin to cover all sorts of activities: counter-economic banks and credit institutions, farmers, doctors, mechanics - everything. Eventually, a decentralized and competitive black market insurance sector would become interwoven with the entire economy, from marijuana cultivation to unregistered transportation to food and medicine. During this time, market protectors would form around this sector.
In the beginning, their function would be the protection of insurants against the "red market" - against providers of outlawed goods who would undoubtedly object to free competition, and be willing to use violence against their competitors - and regular, unorganized crime. This could work especially well in the inner cities, where state police protection is already virtually nonexistent.
In the end, as happened in the Soviet Union, these companies could serve as the financiers of armed resistance to the state... when that time comes. And for the first time in history, the resistance would be run by people who would have sworn an oath to defend liberty. Or perhaps the state, in face of economic collapse and widespread civil disobedience, would simply dissolve and defect, as in J. Neil Schulman's Alongside Night. In either case, black market insurance would be the first step in developing the better thing which would rise up to take its place.
44
The Polling Pit / Are you a writer?
« on: September 26, 2008, 08:48:10 PM »
I'm writing a few novels, mostly science fiction with strong libertarian themes. My major project has the working title of Antopolis. It takes place in the future, when a global socialist/fascist government has completely taken over, except for Antarctica, which is a patchwork of anarchist systems. The plot can be broadly summed up as a counter-economic revolution whose base of operations is in Antarctica. Think something along the lines of a fusion of Alongside Night and Atlas Shrugged in terms of plot. Except there's moar fighting. Oh, and I incorporated some Odyssian elements as a device to describe all the various systems of anarchist order.
I'm also working on a "science fantasy" series called The Lord Protector, whose plot is rather complicated, so I'll refrain from describing it unless anyone is interested.
I'm also writing two nonfiction books. The first is not currently titled, and it's a defense of libertarianism/anarchy from a Christian perspective (intended to convince Christians to be anarchists, not the other way around). The second will be entitled Pope and Pagan: The History of Church and State from Constantine to the Religious Right.
I'm currently unpublished, but I intend to change that, so I chose the second option.
I'm also working on a "science fantasy" series called The Lord Protector, whose plot is rather complicated, so I'll refrain from describing it unless anyone is interested.
I'm also writing two nonfiction books. The first is not currently titled, and it's a defense of libertarianism/anarchy from a Christian perspective (intended to convince Christians to be anarchists, not the other way around). The second will be entitled Pope and Pagan: The History of Church and State from Constantine to the Religious Right.
I'm currently unpublished, but I intend to change that, so I chose the second option.
45
Photoshops / Replacing the text in comics
« on: August 22, 2008, 10:29:41 PM »
Post your comic modifications. Here are a few of mine.
