tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648884752216444797.post6887296491449451888..comments2024-03-28T09:59:13.754-07:00Comments on bionic mosquito: Community Foundbionic mosquitohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12002548958078731031noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648884752216444797.post-51177199287434992062020-07-02T03:51:18.623-07:002020-07-02T03:51:18.623-07:00Woody,
"...one liberty-minded, clear-thinki...Woody, <br /><br />"...one liberty-minded, clear-thinking and inspired individual must rise up. He must publish, he must speak, he must convince the masses to come together under a common ideal, a common culture and a common purpose."<br /><br />But, why do you hate to say this? If this is the only way, then it is Truth and there should be no reticence in speaking the Truth. <br /><br />Before this can happen, however, the common ideal, culture, and purpose must be identified. You can't fight something with nothing. The search for identification is what drives the world debate and causes all the problems, because there will never be a common ideal, culture, and purpose. As long as good and evil exist within the heart of man, there will be conflict. <br /><br />There is an answer, though, and it can be seen in one sentence--"Love your neighbor as you do yourself." Community and individualism all wrapped together seamlessly. The only conflict is getting to that point and that is something everyone has to go through. Some of us might come close, most won't. <br /><br />The willingness to voluntarily sacrifice oneself for the good of others is probably the most important attribute of love and probably the most difficult to attain, but we do have such an example--Jesus the Christ, Who accomplishes everything that you listed, albeit through the lives of others. <br /><br />The guarantee? "I will build my Church..." Here are the individual and the community working together to win, not just the day, but eternity. Rogerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08156823478509665137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648884752216444797.post-18799565307655576812020-07-02T03:24:48.694-07:002020-07-02T03:24:48.694-07:00Willing to sacrifice. This is key to the whole thi...Willing to sacrifice. This is key to the whole thing.<br /><br />Sacrifice is an act of worship...of something or someone. Nothing of any value is accomplished without some level of sacrifice and that takes one of two forms--voluntary or compulsive. If the individual is not willing to sacrifice for the good of others voluntarily, then the "others" will demand that he sacrifice involuntarily. And sacrifice he will--one way or another.Rogerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08156823478509665137noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648884752216444797.post-6685879396937682542018-05-21T12:44:54.505-07:002018-05-21T12:44:54.505-07:00Bionic,
Just wanted to make a few observations her...Bionic,<br />Just wanted to make a few observations here.<br /><br />Consider the truism "Divide and Conquer". Is it not true that a cohesive group of individuals working towards a common end can accomplish much more than a single individual in NEARLY every endeavor?<br /><br />Is it not true that we who are dedicated to individual freedom lose each time we combat cohesive groups? Do we not see the rise of the socialist / Marxist philosophy and the decline of our own in spite of the fact that our way offers more and greater advantages than a totalitarian philosophy?<br /><br />Libertarians can't even agree on what they, themselves, believe. The idea of a "libertarian group" approaches the extremes of an oxymoron. How then could libertarians organize against such pervasive and powerful influences such as group identity, group purpose and working for something "greater than oneself"?<br /><br />Extending the idea of "Divide and Conquer", if someone wanted to divide a society, would not the best method be to emphasize individuality over all, even common decency and the most basic societal norms? And the younger the mind, the greater destruction that can be reeked. This destruction is evident in the very many methods employed for generations to take the young away from the influence of the family. At this point, the minds of the parents have become so perverted, so twisted, that it no longer matters - it has become completely self-perpetuating.<br /><br />My own philosophy and religion has brought me intolerance from many individuals so I must support individual liberty just to maintain my personal principles. However, Mr. Nisbet is correct - individualism can only be tolerated in certain societal frameworks and is completely destructive without some common base.<br /><br />So, what is needed? As much as I hate to say it, one liberty-minded, clear-thinking and inspired individual must rise up. He must publish, he must speak, he must convince the masses to come together under a common ideal, a common culture and a common purpose. There will, of course, be war, both with the totalitarians craving power and with libertarians who reject whatever commonality is espoused - and there is no guarantee that such an individual can win the day - but I see no alternative. Woody Barretthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07174366266746908252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648884752216444797.post-65299783086729579572018-05-16T20:13:40.091-07:002018-05-16T20:13:40.091-07:00ATL
It seems to me that history demonstrates that...ATL<br /><br />It seems to me that history demonstrates that man does strive for someone (or something) to worship. I do not say anything about "well-adjusted man," as this is beside the point - and even well-adjusted (and free) men strive for this.<br /><br />I consider the second part of the statement: "This craving for community of worship...."<br /><br />It cannot be denied that this craving exists in almost all men. Whether a community worship of the military, the local football team, whatever.<br /><br />As I asked, who is the oddball in this picture? I know my answer, every time I don't stand for the national anthem or a military honor guard at a sporting event.<br />bionic mosquitohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12002548958078731031noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648884752216444797.post-90092416234517366232018-05-16T14:15:59.682-07:002018-05-16T14:15:59.682-07:00Individualism/self reliance doesn't need to be...Individualism/self reliance doesn't need to be sold at all when it's the organic cultural expression of a Volk- in the America it was Anglo-Protestants and it was how we were (are?). Samuel Huntington was wrong when he suggested WASP culture would outlive the the disintegration of the WASPs as the dominant ethnic group. In other words it *cant be sold.*<br /><br />>Besides when has a Marxist political action or movement hasn't been a funded product of Top Down European Style Socialist (wink wink) or the Priviledged Oligarchs?<br /><br />LOL. You are no doubt right about that but Oligarch funding would be useless if the marxists weren't skilled at organizing, committed to their ideal (which has of course changed with what the Oligarchs want at any given time but don't tell them that), and willing to sacrifice.Unhappy Conservative (2.0)https://www.blogger.com/profile/05647440445427537430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648884752216444797.post-41965491953072204062018-05-15T20:02:47.138-07:002018-05-15T20:02:47.138-07:00Individualism or self reliance is a hard sell to a...Individualism or self reliance is a hard sell to a populous whose Individualism is nothing more than Window Dressing. Besides when has a Marxist political action or movement hasn't been a funded product of Top Down European Style Socialist (wink wink) or the Priviledged Oligarchs?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648884752216444797.post-27051218280843836382018-05-15T19:00:39.331-07:002018-05-15T19:00:39.331-07:00In your conclusion referencing Dostoevsky, “So lon...In your conclusion referencing Dostoevsky, “So long as man remains free he strives for nothing so incessantly and painfully as to find someone to worship,” it reminded me of something Ayn Rand said long ago, to the effect that the difference between man and the other animals is man’s capacity for reverence. Not so far off the mark from Dostoevsky.<br /><br />I’m enjoying this post and its comments very much. Thank you. Peggy in Oregon<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648884752216444797.post-22787744041453002682018-05-15T17:54:26.418-07:002018-05-15T17:54:26.418-07:00Pretty harsh, UC. Pot is legal in many states, an...Pretty harsh, UC. Pot is legal in many states, and today the Supremes legalized sports gambling!<br /><br />You know, the big stuff.bionic mosquitohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12002548958078731031noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648884752216444797.post-65695976479277149482018-05-15T14:58:03.362-07:002018-05-15T14:58:03.362-07:00>All are certainly part of a group, yet each on...>All are certainly part of a group, yet each one’s individuality on full display in costume, hair, sexual orientation, and piercings.<br /><br />This is a great point and supports what I was saying in a previous article. Communists are not Borg Ideolgoues despite the common libertarian/randian charicature of them. They place a high priority on individuality but they are willing to subordinate individuals to a political structure in order to achieve results- which they have been very effective at. Libertarians on the other hand have never had a single effective local organization. They can't put pressure on local politicians, they can't shut down their enemies, and they can't even do good will actions like Food Not Bombs.Unhappy Conservative (2.0)https://www.blogger.com/profile/05647440445427537430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648884752216444797.post-43801770367876628362018-05-15T14:52:45.879-07:002018-05-15T14:52:45.879-07:00http://www.jakubw.com/2013/12/why-almost-everyone-...http://www.jakubw.com/2013/12/why-almost-everyone-believes-in.htmlRSnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648884752216444797.post-4820158388122001182018-05-15T11:28:41.439-07:002018-05-15T11:28:41.439-07:00"If the Soviets can break up peacefully, what..."If the Soviets can break up peacefully, what does that say about us if we can't?"<br /><br />I suspect it is because most of the people knew that the system was corrupt and couldn't be sustained - but I can't say this with any certainty.<br /><br />In any case, people in the US are a long way from this realization.bionic mosquitohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12002548958078731031noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648884752216444797.post-89413020284101206312018-05-15T08:51:37.651-07:002018-05-15T08:51:37.651-07:00"So long as man remains free he strives for n..."So long as man remains free he strives for nothing so incessantly and painfully as to find someone to worship...This craving for community of worship is the chief misery of every man individually and of all humanity from the beginning of time."<br /><br />I've never read Dostoevsky. From your quote he seems a bit of a pretentious snob. Perhaps this was just from a character in his novel and doesn't reflect his personal views. <br /><br />One could rather say that so long as man remains free he strives for something to give his life meaning, something to believe in, something true to hold onto in the face of all the uncertainties of life, not only an anchor, but a rudder, a purpose. I don't see what is so miserable about that.<br /><br />I believe the chief misery of the world comes as a result of both successfully holding things to be true which are not, and failing to uphold true things with fidelity. The problem is choice (not only in what maxims to live by, but in maintaining consistency in their application), but it is not a problem we can avoid.<br /><br />"If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice." - Neil PeartA Texas Libertarianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02980539931923054404noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648884752216444797.post-55449399232912520452018-05-15T08:08:45.971-07:002018-05-15T08:08:45.971-07:00For the "Anything for-the-children versus mul...For the "Anything for-the-children versus multi-culturalism" file.<br /><br />This is revolting.<br /><br />Outcry in Mali after albino child beheaded in 'ritual' murder<br />https://www.yahoo.com/news/outcry-mali-albino-child-beheaded-ritual-murder-110618567.html<br /><br /><br />JaimeInTexashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08729407700850451849noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648884752216444797.post-68376126278284334332018-05-15T07:31:23.196-07:002018-05-15T07:31:23.196-07:00"I think our best chances for more libertaria..."I think our best chances for more libertarian..."<br /><br />I agree. Subsidiarity, secession, and association. States need to secede. Counties and cities should do the same. We need to start building/joining the associations now in the social realm, so that in the future there is the social capital to draw upon when steps can be taken towards dispute resolution and private defense.<br /><br />"I just hope that when the USA Titanic starts to breakup that it remains a fairly peaceful affair, like the old Soviet Union breakup...instead of the "other" possibility."<br /><br />If the Soviets can break up peacefully, what does that say about us if we can't? Sadly it is not a sure thing in my mind, but I have hope.A Texas Libertarianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02980539931923054404noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648884752216444797.post-87845447438642107642018-05-15T05:57:23.156-07:002018-05-15T05:57:23.156-07:00"I think our best chances for more libertaria..."I think our best chances for more libertarian outcomes is to prepare for the eventual implosion..."<br /><br />I think it is our only chance because it will happen regardless of our desires to the contrary, but the possible outcomes vary widely, and could be disastrous for liberty.<br /><br />It seems to me that if our focus is strictly the NAP, we are certain to fail. This is what I am concluding due to my journey through culture and tradition. I mostly thank Hoppe for starting me down that road, but I must also thank the "...someone well down that road here in our little cloistered world..."<br /><br />Of course, as he knows and as I have written, there are paths that his road leads that I will never take; I hold some things in higher value that prevent me from going all the way (and I do not mean to imply that the NAP is that thing).<br /><br />As to the Articles of Confederation, if you haven't done so it might be worth reading Merrill Jensen. For a few posts on his book about this period, go to the bibliography tab above.bionic mosquitohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12002548958078731031noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-648884752216444797.post-84435090810913077852018-05-15T05:03:12.544-07:002018-05-15T05:03:12.544-07:00Man, this is a good synopsis.
"Nisbet doesn...Man, this is a good synopsis. <br /><br />"Nisbet doesn’t put it this way, but he seems to have foreseen our age. Individual misfits – for that is certainly an apt description – finally fit in to a group."<br /><br />Going a step further, the SJW's know it internally, but want to use government to force others to accept them into a larger group under the guise of "equality" and trumping private property rights.<br /><br />"Eventually, when man feels he has lost all control of his destiny, he willingly turns to the totalitarian state."<br /><br />Yes! <br /><br />And there's someone well down that road here in our little cloistered world in the comment section of your blog that exemplifies this. He's intelligent, and thoughtful, and desperate. Hopeful he can use the very monster destroying his autonomy, and currently controlled by SJW's in many areas, to reverse the course.<br /><br />I think our best chances for more libertarian outcomes is to prepare for the eventual implosion coming to the US government by way of it's debt by continuing to talk about decentralization and getting "governance" as local as possible to give everyone more choice/options in terms of community.<br /><br />I loved when Lew Rockwell used to reference the superiority of the Article of Confederation over the Constitution as it subtly hit on all points. Maybe a "private army" is feasible, but it's a lot easier to have a compact for protection under the "state" model and at least allow cultural trends to be reflected outside of that across more local "governance" in the short term while man tries to figure out how to "privatize everything". (that assumes one day you get people able to agree on such a thing)<br /><br />I just hope that when the USA Titanic starts to breakup that it remains a fairly peaceful affair, like the old Soviet Union breakup...instead of the "other" possibility.<br /><br />Nick Badalamentihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14015961786370759940noreply@blogger.com