Topic: Nolan Chart News
The Top Nolan Chart Articles of 2008 ... in my very humble opinion, anyways :)by Jake Towne, the Champion of the Constitution
(libertarian)
Saturday, January 10, 2009
One of the deficiencies in the Nolan Chart is that there have been some truly great articles, but since the NC is structured a bit like a feed site, even very popular or most read ones usually only survive 5 days or so at best, with few exceptions. Of course I missed a lot of articles and I have my own biased personal tastes, but I have been following along each month so I thought I would give this a shot. The list I put together is some of my favorites that I feel are still relevant in January 2009, and are in no particular order since that usually shafts the people at the end of the alphabet anyways.
Of course, anyone can add THEIR favorite article(s) in the comment stream, or write their own article, which is the beauty of this site. Perhaps there are even some ideas to correct the deficiency I pointed out? I've already sent a few ideas to Walt, but I am sure everyone together would have better ideas.
Let me also take a chance to say thank you to fellow columnists for their articles, and to those who debate back with me, and commented or emailed me on my articles, even if it was just to say "Jake, this article really sucked." Although I read plenty of stuff elsewhere, I've even been known to read a few books, the Nolan Chart has served as a kind of cool little cafe as I have made a lot of progress so far with my eco-political awareness and writing skills, and I feel I have truly come a long way since last February when I started my column.
Of course, the biggest thank you of is reserved for Walt, I suppose I can't thank him enough for letting me write here.
[I couldn't resist the chance to create a "2008 Top 10" list of my own articles, but I stuffed that at the end.]
For the purpose of transparency, my other ulterior motive is to displace an article on the death of John Travolta's son as the top article for reads and thumbs up at this site. On a serious note, while I am sad that Mr. Travolta lost his son, too many American soldiers, Iraqi civilians, Gazans, and Afghani civilians have died too. My expose on the next wars I predict Obama will start, and an essay on the history of socialism, liberalism, and the rEVOLution have lower chances of beating out Travolta, so here's my best shot.
USAF Vet Dan in his column In Pursuit of Liberty. Dan became an inspiration to me after he wrote "Why am I running for Congress?" I was very happy to meet him in person after he spoke at Chicago's END THE FED rally with the FED providing an ominous shadow on an otherwise perfectly sunny day at noon. (Chicago's financial district is very dark at street level due to all the banker's skyscrapers.)
No Nolan Chart list would be complete without an article from David Nolan's Sage Observations on the Libertarian Party's 2008 performance "Crash & Burn"
George Dance in his column Ron Paul and his rEVOLution specializes in informed, well-researched posts on the rEVOLution and third parties. I will just refer you his top list "GD's Top 100 of 2008"
Bradley Jansen, a former staffer for Ron Paul, provided some awesome election coverage in "Final Polls and 3rd Party Results". I think its interesting to compare the results with an earlier piece of research he did here "How Much Is Your Vote Worth?".
"We barely remember who or what came before this precious moment. We are choosing to be here right now." - Tool, Parabola
"Study history or become history."
"All men dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds, wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act on their dreams with open eyes, to make them possible." - Thomas Edward Lawrence. Women dream too!
"In the beginning of a change, the patriot is a scarce man, and brave, and hated, and scorned. When his cause succeeds, the timid join him for then it costs nothing to be a patriot." - Mark Twain. Or "patriotesses?"
"You can cage an animal but you can't take away the rage." - Shinedown, "Heroes" from their Us Vs. Them Album
The views expressed in this
article are those of Jake Towne, the Champion of the Constitution only and do not represent
the views of Nolan Chart, LLC or its affiliates. Jake Towne, the Champion of the Constitution is
solely responsible for the contents of this article and is not an
employee or otherwise affiliated with Nolan Chart, LLC in his/her role as a columnist.
You are a tireless, relentless, inquisitive writer who is unafraid of rebuttal and glories in discovery.
No one on this website can compare with the reading, writing, and commentary that you contribute. You constantly surf the big waves and occasionally take a pounding, but it never discourages you ~ you just paddle out for another try.
Many of us envy your attitude, your curiousity, and your resilence, I'm sure. You are a world traveler, and a friend to many around the world. Maybe you should be an ambassador! You have the gift of humility.
Hi Jake, I agree with MC, your contributions are beyond comparison on this webpage. my favorites of yours were the series on the Fed. And while we are at it, the Master deserves many compliments for his views and fine articles. Well thought out views from any perspective can only the help the chart. And of course Walt deserves much praise for his work and his articles.
Right on fellow freedom writer (fighter). We all have differing opinions and ideas about directions, but we all consider these ideas as relavent. I am not sorry to say that the death of John Travolta's son is completely irrelevant, and the fact that it is still the number one article on this site is a blow to my optimism. However it will take much more than celebrity fluff making it to nolan chart to quell my enthusiasm for freedom.
You keep up that good work brother!
Master C, you too, even though you called me chicken little.
Posted By: Jahfre Fire Eater
Date: 2009-01-10 13:03:52
Hi Jake,
Thanks for the mention. You've probably heard this before but...you have way too much time on your hands. I greatly appreciate the results though. :-)
I love all the different styles and perspectives seen on NolanChart.com. I read almost everything. Not just on NolanChart.com. :-) I write primarily for entertainment. I have no expectations that anyone will read my column or that any of those who do will agree with my perspective. I think maybe, way back when, I used to think I was writing for other folks...and it was hard. Once I realized I only write to entertain myself...I just can't stop.
Thanks again for your efforts that keep us all sharper than we could be on our own.
Posted By: Jake, the champion of the constitution
Date: 2009-01-10 21:45:46
hey thanks for the kind words, I was just trying to capture a flicker of the brilliance from the past year in this piece. I do think its a shame that some get lost, for instance Seneca might have kept writing if he had more feedback.
Like you Jahfre, I write for a lot of reasons and its mostly self-centered - sort-of exceptions would be like the Money Matrix series - the reason its not done is EXACTLY since I view it as a bit of homework, its already in my head all I need to do is finish it but since I view it as "writing for others" its sort of like homework. I do plan to finish it :).
The readership "competition" is a nice harmless outlet for, shall we say, ruthless competiveness that, for better or worse, is part of my personality. The company I work for seems to like it, but geez, avoid playing board games with me, I love Chess which I can control, but sometimes cant resist Risk or even monoply. :) I would probably write a little less if I felt no one was reading
I spend a lot of time laughing, silently or aloud, and I would describe myself at heart as extremely "laid-back" - many people I know socially say this as well, although these days I do not they would if the conversation switches to politics :) I really enjoy this life I've been living.
i do try to separate out net surfing/NC writing time from reading and the rest of my life. For every hour I spent net surfing/writing I try to spend an hour reading whatever. One thing that has improved a lot this year also is my speed at processing info, big improvements there, has helped me out at my job as well.
No worries about the "time on my hands" I spend all my time just the way I want to, although like many I have a work commitment. Prior to 2008, I commonly spent 12 hours at work a day, including some weekends 1) since I enjoyed my job so much and 2) had a lot to do and a lot of responsibility. Now its 8 hours a day at work (which is completely due to my increased processing abilities since some colleagues read this :), 2 hrs net/surfing and 2 hrs reading. I still spend over a hour a day exercising, and fortunately i dont need to sleep all that much, so have time for other stuff like hanging out, contemplating my navel, cooking, and lots of chinese lessons/practice too! :) Jake
I've been in hibernation writing of late and just ran across this post of yours via the Liberty site.
Thanks for the plug...and I hope 2009 we can wake a few more people up to the Liberty cause!
Thought you would enjoy this quote if you haven't seen it yet::
"It is no crime to be ignorant of economics, which is, after all, a specialized discipline and one that most people consider to be a 'dismal science.' But it is totally irresponsible to have a loud and vociferous opinion on economic subjects while remaining in this state of ignorance."
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