Some battles are better fought from a distance. Indeed, it can be better to exit and build something great than to stay and fight but build nothing. My critique of Mike Solana's "Exit vs. Build."
"Creativity, entrepreneurship, and innovation are way more effective than politics, policy, and punditry in that fight."
I acknowledge that any cause needs many approaches. However, my personal preference–what I am good at and where I focus– is encouraging and building options through 'creativity, entrepreneurship, and innovation.' I want more choices for everyone.
And, I don't discount politics, particularly when it decriminalizes choices and removes barriers to creating alternatives.
I will add that one issue that is important to me is what skills people need to live in a free and prosperous world. The ability to negotiate, for example, and to peacefully manage conflicts with one's neighbors. To know and apply the practical principles of building successful businesses and nonprofits. To be the kind of employer that people want to work for.
This. "I would argue it’s better to exit and build something than to stay, fight, and build nothing. The pirates of Roatan and the innovators of Prospera are building. People who like to fight should probably stay and fight. But the circumstances are both/and, not either/or."
Wonderfully put! I cannot tell if Solana is calling for more fighters or if he's upset at those who decide that the crap (literally) is too deep to continue fighting leave. Freedom allows for choices, all of them, as long as they do not infringe. Fight if you like. Leave if you like. Both/And, indeed!
"California is too big to fail"? Gee. I would be curious by what metrics he is considering? But then again, could we say the same might hold true for places like Prospera, in comparison to more well-established enclaves?
FWIW, it provokes an idea to set up something on Google Sheets and have each proponent of their individual beliefs to populate their own column with real data. And from there, create a sort of cost of living "exit" calculator-meets-Frazier Institute freedom index, where contrarians can move beyond their surface opinions on these things and assess probabilities better, including risk. I think what many people are lacking is a baseline of credible data for each option to better inform the conversation.
I think distilling the ongoing tug of war on competing themes and priorities is important. One is obviously whether or not to stay or to leave, and the other is new enclaves outside the U.S., and how best to achieve scale.
I sense that we are heading towards multiple “streams” of human governance:
1) those who prefer the comfortability of outsourcing governance of all sectors of life to the body politic (a form of modern slavery that is, unfortunately, nevertheless appropriate to the spiritual maturity of much of humanity in our time, much like children need parents), and
2) more spiritually mature human beings who choose to exit and build systems of (as you talk about so passionately) mutual aid societies. These would necessarily require technologies and specialized associations that facilitate private agreements and private courts to adjudicate conflict, as well as economic solutions that allows for the free flow of currency without government interference.
The first group will follow government mandates and rules, even if they disagree - because they are compelled by fear (of punishment, banishment from the tribe, and maybe most of all fear of freedom itself) and therefore lack the initiative to creatively get to work building, which requires vision and a deep sense of responsibility not only for oneself but our fellow human beings.
The second group will likely be composed of many small groups and communities building various systems and societies, and not all of them will be connected. Those that withstand the trials of reality across space and time will naturally find each other and work together like every natural ecosystem on earth to produce something together that would be impossible alone.
Interesting counter-points here... I can't shake the feeling that there is an argument worth having here beneath all the arguments that just seem to glance off one another. Always interesting to get your perspective, since you've committed so fully to your chosen course of action.
When you combine that feeling with additional thoughts, I'd love to read them, particularly the argument worth having. But one small correction: I choose many courses of action, not one course, which is rather the point.
Still hoping to engage more fully with your ideas, Max, but my company suddenly and unexpectedly took on multiple new clients, and I became swamped with paid work. I'm extremely grateful for this, but it does eat into my time for discourse. 😀
C: There's an argument worth having here but this ain't it. M: Would love to see what you think that is, sometime. C: Too busy but to leave anything but a vague comment. M: Great! Hope you make lots of money.
Please forgive my behavior. I have been in a terrible mood this week and have not enjoyed the same level of centeredness I usually possess. In such times, I should seek opportunities to practice patience and be more charitable about others' intent. It's in our weakest moments that we grow. Again, my apologies.
"Creativity, entrepreneurship, and innovation are way more effective than politics, policy, and punditry in that fight."
I acknowledge that any cause needs many approaches. However, my personal preference–what I am good at and where I focus– is encouraging and building options through 'creativity, entrepreneurship, and innovation.' I want more choices for everyone.
And, I don't discount politics, particularly when it decriminalizes choices and removes barriers to creating alternatives.
I will add that one issue that is important to me is what skills people need to live in a free and prosperous world. The ability to negotiate, for example, and to peacefully manage conflicts with one's neighbors. To know and apply the practical principles of building successful businesses and nonprofits. To be the kind of employer that people want to work for.
Thank you!
I'm with you. If staying and fighting is better than leaving, doesn't that mean we should condemn our forefathers who left Europe to come to America?
This. "I would argue it’s better to exit and build something than to stay, fight, and build nothing. The pirates of Roatan and the innovators of Prospera are building. People who like to fight should probably stay and fight. But the circumstances are both/and, not either/or."
Wonderfully put! I cannot tell if Solana is calling for more fighters or if he's upset at those who decide that the crap (literally) is too deep to continue fighting leave. Freedom allows for choices, all of them, as long as they do not infringe. Fight if you like. Leave if you like. Both/And, indeed!
"California is too big to fail"? Gee. I would be curious by what metrics he is considering? But then again, could we say the same might hold true for places like Prospera, in comparison to more well-established enclaves?
FWIW, it provokes an idea to set up something on Google Sheets and have each proponent of their individual beliefs to populate their own column with real data. And from there, create a sort of cost of living "exit" calculator-meets-Frazier Institute freedom index, where contrarians can move beyond their surface opinions on these things and assess probabilities better, including risk. I think what many people are lacking is a baseline of credible data for each option to better inform the conversation.
I think distilling the ongoing tug of war on competing themes and priorities is important. One is obviously whether or not to stay or to leave, and the other is new enclaves outside the U.S., and how best to achieve scale.
I sense that we are heading towards multiple “streams” of human governance:
1) those who prefer the comfortability of outsourcing governance of all sectors of life to the body politic (a form of modern slavery that is, unfortunately, nevertheless appropriate to the spiritual maturity of much of humanity in our time, much like children need parents), and
2) more spiritually mature human beings who choose to exit and build systems of (as you talk about so passionately) mutual aid societies. These would necessarily require technologies and specialized associations that facilitate private agreements and private courts to adjudicate conflict, as well as economic solutions that allows for the free flow of currency without government interference.
The first group will follow government mandates and rules, even if they disagree - because they are compelled by fear (of punishment, banishment from the tribe, and maybe most of all fear of freedom itself) and therefore lack the initiative to creatively get to work building, which requires vision and a deep sense of responsibility not only for oneself but our fellow human beings.
The second group will likely be composed of many small groups and communities building various systems and societies, and not all of them will be connected. Those that withstand the trials of reality across space and time will naturally find each other and work together like every natural ecosystem on earth to produce something together that would be impossible alone.
Interesting counter-points here... I can't shake the feeling that there is an argument worth having here beneath all the arguments that just seem to glance off one another. Always interesting to get your perspective, since you've committed so fully to your chosen course of action.
Stay wonderful!
When you combine that feeling with additional thoughts, I'd love to read them, particularly the argument worth having. But one small correction: I choose many courses of action, not one course, which is rather the point.
Still hoping to engage more fully with your ideas, Max, but my company suddenly and unexpectedly took on multiple new clients, and I became swamped with paid work. I'm extremely grateful for this, but it does eat into my time for discourse. 😀
C: There's an argument worth having here but this ain't it. M: Would love to see what you think that is, sometime. C: Too busy but to leave anything but a vague comment. M: Great! Hope you make lots of money.
Rather:
C: This is an intriguing exchange - I truly wish I had time to comment on it as you raise some fascinating poionts.
If such a comment is unwelcome, I can keep my own counsel in the future.
Please forgive my behavior. I have been in a terrible mood this week and have not enjoyed the same level of centeredness I usually possess. In such times, I should seek opportunities to practice patience and be more charitable about others' intent. It's in our weakest moments that we grow. Again, my apologies.
Appreciate it, Max.