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Elegant Solutions
by Simplulo (libertarian)
About The Author
I am a simple person who supports the liberty movement in New Hampshire.
About The Column
Simplicity is a virtue. Simple rules can be explained, understood, remembered, followed, and enforced. We see this when we try to explain the "adult" world to children--they see through hypocrisy. In simplicity there is beauty and truth: simple designs lead to machines that fly reliably , and simple constitutions and simple laws lead to prosperous societies. Simple rules allow self-organization, paradoxically leading to complexity in outcomes. Complex rules that cannot be followed lead to stagnation, as in the Soviet Union. Despite the evidence, many people distrust simplicity: they call it "reductionism", and say it cannot handle the complexity of modern life. Their failed counter-examples are valuable.The most important simplest rule is that governing force: it should be used only in self-defense, and even then in only the minimum amount, no exceptions. "A designer knows he has achieved perfection not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away." --Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Live Free or Die
Published: March 1, 2011
Freedom isn't free, but it costs less to maintain than to win in the first place. "Live Free or Die" means that you value freedom for its own sake, and that you will make significant sacrifices to secure it.
Critiques of Libertarians
Published: July 17, 2010
Libertarians are notoriously poor communicators, ranting in a manner guaranteed to appeal only to others born with a libertarian nature (a minority), not to the bulk of normal people (well-meaning college-educated moderately well-informed adult, e.g. your typical listener of National Public Radio). We need to reframe our arguments, and our thinking, for the invisible NPR listener in the room.
The Five Boxes of Liberty
Published: October 4, 2008
Among an individual's innumerable rights, a critical few defend the others. The US Constitution mentions at least five defensive rights, "The Five Boxes of Liberty."
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