What kind of a country strives hard to acquire territory only to deny its people the full splendor of the spoils? Among many other countries who often styled themselves “empires” and acquired far-flung islands across the ocean, the United States, that’s who. Specifically I’d like … Continue readingA Not-so-Minor Dream for the Minor Outlying Islands
In recent years a perennial controversy has returned to the fore: namely, the issue of the state’s power to order the society it governs, of statecraft as soulcraft. “Liberalism” is usually the center of attention in such debates, but it’s recently struck me that the … Continue readingPost-Liberalism: An Echo, Not a Choice
“What?” you might ask, “Worldbuilding with Dunbar’s number?” Dunbar’s number, simply put, is the reality that as human beings we can only conceive of a limited number of people in our minds as fully-formed, concrete, flesh-and-blood human beings instead of abstractions. Dunbar’s Number Although the … Continue readingWorldbuilding with Dunbar’s Number
We’re told that specialization is the elixir of prosperity, the division of labor the font of civilization itself, but what if that’s not true, at least in the way we think it is? Since the age of the Renaissance Man faded into the history books … Continue readingThe Renaissance Man: Still the Master
Financial independence is often thought of as a pathway where you get a good job with the usual methods, work and save diligently well beyond the median percentage, and have the ability to retire early and safely. Although still unknown in many quarters and somewhat … Continue readingThinking Outside the “FIRE” Box
Does conservatism have a future? It might seem a curious question to ask. After all, a political platform of fiscal restraint coupled with resisting social change, recognizably “conservative” to us, is applicable to so many times and places as to be veritably eternal. Yet many, … Continue readingThe Twilight of Conservatism
Why aren’t our elites more interesting? It might sound like an odd question to ask, but consider that throughout history aristocrats, elites of old, captains of industry, and those who have “already made it” pursued eccentric and visionary personal projects and passions. The universe of … Continue readingThe Long Night of Elite Imagination
I’ve long thought and felt that what the libertarian movement, and the struggle for human freedom more broadly, needs is an artistic and aesthetic movement, to become a force instrumental in creating visions of the human spirit and the human future. So why a libertarian … Continue readingToward a Libertarian Artistic Movement
This year has seen a historically rapid rise in adoption of alternative forms of education. Virtual and remote education has become the norm, home education proper has seen a spike, and perhaps most interestingly educational “pods” have become mainstream. Amidst all this educational ferment I … Continue readingArt, Nature, and Freedom: Toward a Better Future for Education
What would be the happiest day we could design? It’s an interesting question with large potential implications for how well we live our lives. More precisely, how should we split our time between various activities to maximize happiness and well-being? A fascinating 2013 study (summarized … Continue readingThe Surprising Path to a Happy Everyday Life