How I know statelessness works [Part 2]: Risk management in practice Let's face it: the only role of government is risk management and mitigation. That’s all government is. This is the only reason why statists relinquish their liberties in exchange for a sense of security, or more accurately, risk management. The state does not offer security First off, let’s agree that the state does not protect you against crime or war. If anything, the state creates an environment where…
Frugality vs. Stinginess A **frugal** man has no problem paying more, if it means more quality and value. He does not enjoy paying more for no extra quality, or just for hype, or even perhaps, needless convenience. He doesn’t appreciate being fooled into paying more for brand value, or for impulsive buying. He detests being scammed into paying more for nothing but meaningless fantasy surrounding a product of service. Not falling for marketing schemes does not make you…
A threat-based civilisation is not civil The weak barbarism of coercion vs. the steadfast civility of voluntaryism Rome conquered the Hellenic free cities by force. Yet the Hellenic cities conquered Rome with ideas. The Hellenics submitted reluctantly to Rome. Yet Rome voluntarily adopted Hellenic ideals. Which conquest was more meaningful and more timeless? https://sotiris.substack.com/p/the-roman-empire-was-socialist Indeed, the threat of violence from the imperium…
Western civilisation was built on freedom: Identity through values Historical atrocities and oppression in the West have occurred *despite* the fundamental Western value of freedom; not because such value wasn’t upheld. It is *because* the West values freedom that the Westerner quite vividly acknowledges, admits, and despises these despicable acts conducted in his name by *some* his ancestors. It is *because* the Westerner values freedom that he derives some kind of twisted…
The great evil of the 'lesser evil': How the Devil corrupts the virtuous Did you ever feel cornered, forced to choose between only two calamities? Did you feel like you’d rather take a punch in the face than a knife in the gut? Do you prefer the lesser evil over the greater one? Fine. I can understand that... We have all been guilty of choosing an arbitrarily defined “lesser” evil - an evil that is lesser for us, perhaps, but not for others. I say ‘guilty’ because we are…
Losing hope [Part 2]: The cowardice of unfounded optimism *“If fighting will not result in victory, then you must not fight.”* *- Sun Tzu, The Art Of War* Knowing when to give up is a strength and an asset. Recognizing when to cut your losses is a valuable insight that saves you from toiling hopelessly, and losing more for nothing. Moreover, cutting your losses allows you to turn elsewhere your focus and available resources, where you have more chances of succeeding. It is…
The philosophical query: Right questions over answers The philosophical question is that to which no answer is required - the question alone is enough to produce insight, to reflect, and to shatter delusion. The query alone provides enough intuition and context to add value to the conversation, and perhaps, to loosen the shackles of our own minds. The Socratic method of witty questioning is not about reaching the right answers. Answers are irrelevant, and in some cases,…
What is the meaning of existence? Truth and free will The most important question is why we exist; what is our purpose, and how do we derive true meaning from an existence forced upon us without even the courtesy of an explanation? A question of will Somehow, we are cursed with the instinctive need to answer the unanswerable, to attribute meaning to an existence that at first appears meaningless. We need to attribute meaning to our existence, yet we never freely willed this…
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