If you're like me, you often wonder what life would be like living elsewhere. It's not that life here isn't great, it's that it is okay and familiar.
With ever encroaching assaults on our liberty from government, I wonder sometimes where we go when America falls. We were the last frontier where all of the people dissatisfied with government could go and start afresh. Sam Corcos often asks me, "Is there any place that still has liberty?" and I joke, "space, the final frontier."
Patri Friedman HMC '98 has an answer for us -- colonize the oceans.
PayPal inventor, Peter Thiel, funded Patri with $500,000 to create the Seasteading Institute
Why would we want to colonize the ocean? Well, because governments as is haven't been working out for those of us that live liberty. Here's the Wired Magazine article that introduces the concept.
"Government is an industry with a really high barrier to entry," [Patri Friedman] said. "You basically need to win an election or a revolution to try a new one. That's a ridiculous barrier to entry. And it's got enormous customer lock-in. People complain about their cellphone plans that are like two years, but think of the effort that it takes to change your citizenship."
I guess there is just two questions left: Who is John Galt and when do we leave?
For those looking for more, check out Katherine Mangu-Ward's article about Peter Thiel and Patri Friedman. Oh and be sure to watch this video at the Cato Institute about the benefits of seasteading. Guess who asks the first question? Former C.I. editor-in-chief, Charles Rice CMC '06!
6 comments:
Tell us what we can do to help this! The sooner you are at sea, the better. And preferably somewhere near Eyl.
Well, what does living in the sea have to do with being libertarian. I'd live in the sea no matter what.
Here's my list of areas I'd live in order of favorites.
Moon
Earth's Sea
Earth's Land
You think that because you're a conservative and want to live in the sea that all conservatives want to live in the sea. You are stupid.
The main issue at hand is that six years ago, when I was a freshman in high school, I was force to read a book called The Gospel According to Larry. The author came to my school, and some friends and I spammed her message board, and eventually she took it down. What I'm truly trying to say is that I'm awesome. Inside and out, thick and thin, and breath sexiness. Her book was extremely liberal. See you later like your Lacoste alligator.
links?
Hmmm... What do you call an environment where any "government"-type entity is entirely voluntary and subject to the constant consent of its citizens? What do you call such an environment where "governments" (or Nozickan "protective societies") compete for the non-permanent, non-coerced business of "citizens"? What do you call such an environment where anyone is free to be a member of -- or not be a member of -- a given society/government/state?
Charles, that's called anarchism. Perhaps more specifically, anarcho-capitalism, but that's anarchism nonetheless. You're advocating such radical libertarianism that you have ended up advocating anarchism!
That's a good thing, though. Give me a call next time you want to go hang out at Pitzer...
To the final anarchist,
And what's your point?
I've tried to explain to people that I'm not a "conservative", but that I am a libertarian and I certainly enjoy a good anarchist thought experiment.
And if you want to hang out at Pitzer, let's do it.
Take care,
Charles
Well, if you're willing to admit to at least sympathizing with anarchism, I have no issue.
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