Why does capitalism have such a bad name, and does capitalism in the broadest sense involve chanting in the woods? Read more →
Tag: capitalism
Without government, wouldn’t warlords take over?
If you believe government is needed, and someone suggests that it isn’t, you might be rather distressed. You might start to picture bands of rogues roving the land without cease, raping and stealing. In the minds of many statists, this fear is so real that it seems certain. But of course, little is certain in life, and we can no more say for sure that warlords will take over than we can say that they won’t. However, we can at least begin to estimate the likelihood.
If you’re like most people, it’s almost certain that you are threatened by group of people which claims to help you, a group which takes your money without asking first. Just as we can’t be sure that warlords won’t take over in a stateless society, it’s not certain that this violent group won’t grow larger, to expand to a level of control where many are fearful and even people with friends in high places can be destroyed without anyone being punished. In fact, such a case is much more likely to be found in a society with a state, than a society without a state, as the power structures are already there. In a stateless society, if these structures form, they’re likely to be smaller. It’s easier to go from 8 to 10 than it is to go from 0 to 10.
In the end, the reason cling onto these ideas is because of a deep-seated fear. People want to feel like everything is under control, even if it’s by a someone who, in their hearts, they know is a devil. Their fear leads them to fearmonger, spilling endless “what if” cases, none of which can be allayed by logic alone. As I said, nothing in life is certain. Yet, by embracing our uncertainty, and our fears, we can learn to overcome them. It’s scary to stand at the edge of darkness, not knowing what lies within. It takes heart to put your foot over that threshold, yet, that is the only way that humans grow – by putting ourselves in realms where nothing is sure, but everything is possible. Screw your courage to the sticking place, and feel just for a moment, what it would mean to be free.
Four kinds of leaders – Luis Fernando Mises
Luis from Emancipated Human explains the four kinds of leaders that have existed throughout history, about his experience meeting business leaders, and how we can move into the future.
Transcript
There’s been four kinds of leaders throughout history.
First was the religious leaders. They had their religious entities which were able to tell people how to act. But now, those guys cannot necessarily agree with one another – two leaders of religious sects – because they either merge, discombobulate or whatever. So they can’t.
You move to the idea of the militant or military leader. The health of the state is through war or through coercion and all of that, so they can’t, or they will lose their space, their reason for being.
Then you move to the democratic leadership where, through politics, they’re not allowed to have a lot in common with other states – “I always have to be on top.” That’s not ideal, but you don’t see a lot of eye to eye contact. “I’ll help you and I’ll get a bunch of resources…” They just take advantage of each other.
So then we move to the fourth kind of leadership, which to me seems the most spiritually aware and I’ll tell you – it’s the business leader. The business leader is willing to do a deal with the devil if it’s good for all parties involved, because the business leader is not going to lose – but it’s willing to give as well. So it’s a voluntary exchange for mutual benefit.
But a lot of people say “the business leaders are greedy; they’re in it for themselves.” Well, yes and no, but that’s the hurdle that we have to jump. We have to let people see that the business leader is not just there to make a buck and go to the beach – I mean everybody loves the beach right – but the idea is that, when you’re working from purpose – like all these 201 CEOs that I was with, all those guys, they have enough money; they don’t need to work; they have enough resources and influence. They really don’t need to work any more. A lot of people say “They’re just greedy; they just want more.” Well, a lot of those guys stopped taking salaries. They’re just doing it because they love the work they do.
The idea is to help us see, and this just comes with maturity, how the business leader would be able to help eliminate the state, because if you think of international companies, somebody can be in the US, Mexico, Amsterdam, it doesn’t matter what country you’re in, we’re in the same company. Even if you’re Australian and I’m Mexican, and I’m in the states and you’re in Mexico, we’re connected through that link. Screw borders.
So the idea is to help us understand and find our own purpose. The one thing that can save humanity, in my perspective, is raising consciousness in humans. It’s not hating the state, it’s not creating wars. It’s just working on our own individual selves.
Episode 116 – Two Conceptions of Capitalism
The Episode:
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The Story:
In this episode Kurt and I are at the central bus station of Guadalajara, Mexico. We were patiently waiting to begin our voyage to San Luis Potosi – for a great adventure exploring the worlds of natural medicine. This episode is a captured conversation started by few Aussie friends that visited the week before, they had some very interesting questions about today’s society.
Many young adults ask questions like, why does the government need to privatise public services? examples of these services may be medical, electricity, transport, and water? and of course the bloody roads. These concerns are based on the already poor quality services at high tax costs and this instills a negative outlook on the future. To further this issue, it is widely known and understood that private companies, which buy these services, must put the interests of shareholders first. This is because of the inherent nature of business and the human component rarely becomes a concern, let alone a priority.
Our society has been conditioned to believe that this is all part of capitalism, MacDonalds, Starbucks and greedy governments. History can teach us many lessons and like all power structures, there is a common natural evolution; to increase in size, centralise power and incubate corruption. However as most young folks attended public schooling they tend to have a shallow and selected view of history, they look to the other side as the solution – Socialism.
In this episode we discuss a true capitalism, which is based on a free market system powered by sound money (Gold, Silver, Bitcoin). Advancements in information technology is opening a new world of commerce as well as new options for governance. Where all people can have an equal say and can be involved in shaping society. Our future civilisations will be empowered and united, government as we know it today will be a memory and a laugh, somewhat like the stone age. For the meantime understand that today’s government bodies do not require our full attention, as these structures are on limited time and out of gas.
The Eps:
The Links:
The Story of Your Enslavement
The Wealth of Nations audiobook
Capitalism is About Love – Jeffrey Tucker
Episode 110 – Anarcho-Superheroes Anarchapulco Nights 2016
The Episode:
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The Cash:
We really appreciate all of your contributions! Every cent and satoshi we receive lets us know that we’re doing something worthwhile, that you are entertained by our program, and that you’re starting to question what you know more and more. Please be generous. Donate to The Paradise Paradox. Or buy some stuff on Amazon using this link. Or buy some of our great T-shirts here.
The Story:
This could be one of my favourite PP-Dice-Dox themes ‘Anarchapulco Nights!’ In this episode Kurt and I discuss more of our personal experiences from the largest anarchist conference in the world, Anarchapulco! The conference itself offers packed days of paradigm shattering topics and long nights of thought provoking discussions – which takes a solid toll on the minds eye.
In this episode we share a few funny stories from behind the scenes. As well as the weirdness of being around so many interesting super heroes. Attending the event immerses you in an empowering scene with so many inspiring people. This could be a rare experience for many of us. However, when sharing your own personal story, you may realise that we all have the capacity to be inspiring, when and if you are willing to make the leap.
The Eps:
Liberty Hip Hop Live at Anarchapulco 2016
Anarchapulco Nights – Closet Communist
Using Sustainable Agriculture To Make A Cooperative Earth: Kenny Palurintano
Anarchist Adventurer Kenny Palurintano
The Links:
Episode 100 – Closet Communist
The Episode:
To download the audio, right click and press “save as”.
Remember to subscribe on iTunes or subscribe on Pocket Casts.
If you enjoyed the episode, don’t keep it a secret! Feel free to share it on Twitter, Tumblr, Facebook, Reddit, or your office bathroom wall.
The Cash:
We really appreciate all of your contributions! Every cent and satoshi we receive lets us know that we’re doing something worthwhile, that you are entertained by our program, and that you’re starting to question what you know more and more. Please be generous. Donate to The Paradise Paradox. Or buy some stuff on Amazon using this link. Or buy some of our great T-shirts here.
The Story:
In this episode Kurt and Aaron are discussing an ‘Anarchapulco nights’ experience, where Aaron had his mind blown. He recounts a conversation with fellow Anarchapulco attendee ‘Pitstop’. The conversation was based on ideas of capitalist vs communist – not so much in which one is better, but rather, which aspects could be used to create a better world. During this conversation Aaron’s perspective was shifted – now, a changed man.
Taking a look at this wider world, it is not difficult to see that much of it is upside down. Where vaccines cause illness, the law protects the guilty, government does not represent the collective public and politicians are financed puppets. Our world of capitalism appears to be nothing more than a brand of consumerism, greed and corruption. True capitalism has been taken away and hidden far from the naive and drugged first world. Has the wool has been pulled over our eyes? Or have our eyes been removed – somewhat like the beaks of mass produced chickens?
Homework for this episode, might be to check-in on your own understanding of a free market system? For the mean time feed your cannabinoids and put on your brain helm as here is another head rattling episode of The Paradise Paradox!!!
The Eps:
Liberty Hip Hop Live at Anarchapulco 2016
Using Sustainable Agriculture To Make A Cooperative Earth: Kenny Palurintano
Anarchist Adventurer Kenny Palurintano
The Links:
Speech by José Pepe Mujica at Río20
Anarchast Ep. 217 Vit Jedlička: The President of the New Anarcho-Capitalist State Liberland
Episode 49 – Charlie Carlos
The Episode:
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If you enjoyed the episode, don’t keep it a secret! Feel free to share it on Twitter, Tumblr, Facebook, Reddit, or your office bathroom wall.
The Cash:
We really appreciate all of your contributions! Every cent and satoshi we receive lets us know that we’re doing something worthwhile, that you are entertained by our program, and that you’re starting to question what you know more and more. Please be generous. Donate to The Paradise Paradox.
The Story:
A man steps off an aeroplane in a foreign country, with little more than a few bags, a few changes of clothes. This man is no stranger to foreign countries, having travelled through his own country as a child, with his belongings stuffed in the back of a Mazda MQ, and just recently has skipped from the beaches of Sri Lanka to the ghettoes of Los Angeles. An experienced traveller with all of his bridges burnt, within days he is forming sentences in the land he has just discovered. The land is Mexico, and that man’s name is “Charlie”, but in Mexico he goes by “Carlos”. This fellow is a rugged mix of academic theory studied in a university, and raw experience of life.
Now, upon arrival in Mexico, he realises that he has no safety net, as his government has decided to stop giving him money to study. Can he survive in a foreign country with nothing but a Tarzan-like grasp of the local language, his Tarzan-like stature, and his wits?
In this episode, Carlos tells us about his adventures in Australia, Sri Lanka, the USA, and his philosophical adventures, criticisms of the higher education system in Australia, and his ideas about ideas.
The Links:
Panel about Silk Road trial at Anarchapulco
The Fallacy of Misplaced Concreteness on Wikipedia
Akon is bringing electricity to 600 million in Africa
A Tribe Called Quest – I Left My Wallet in El Segundo
Ghanaian entrepreneur: Growth hindered by foreign aid
Episode 27 – How I Learnt to Stop Worrying and Hate the State
Part one of a two part epic. Kurt explains his philosophical and political development, in the steps he took and the questions he had to ask to become a voluntaryist/libertarian anarchist. Why does government get to decide what you do with your body? What lawful right do police have to detain you when you’ve injured no-one? Can an involuntary government be a moral institution?
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Related links:
CBC Freeman Propaganda
Robert Menard interview
Marc Stevens “bringing about a voluntary society one visitor at a time”
Dean Clifford “Both sides of the story”
The Space Between – Kurt’s experience in court
Thomas Sowell abandons Marxism
Bob Lunn – Am I Free To Go? track