tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1750154945043557348.post5202771120565280800..comments2023-08-28T02:45:45.700-07:00Comments on The Guerilla Post: Gullible's TravailsPete Muldoonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03401840945694159288noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1750154945043557348.post-59035718357601271172010-07-29T08:45:01.242-07:002010-07-29T08:45:01.242-07:00I applaud those who have taken the time to post th...I applaud those who have taken the time to post their opinions about the video. It's RARE indeed to actually read contrasting political views without stumbling over the sharp, pointed spikes of ad hominem traps. The above responses prove one major thing to me at least.. That verbage perfectly wrapped in such intellectualized packaging is a sure key to open a Pandora's Box. I would not claim to have the patience to dissect any concept and respond to it with the expertise displayed above, but I can say that I feel a certain spiritual rapport with Shepard as opposed to Pete. Pete's detail leads me to sense a lack of any considerable stand in life.. as if he has experienced no reliable or trustworthy foundation from which to build an unwavering stand. I am always at odds with people who appear to rationalize themselves out of any real value system. I seem to feel an instability after reading such open ended comments. Shepard, on the other hand has a grasp on something and is willing to go out on a limb by accepting some risk for such a stand. Whether that risk be failure, discourse or rejection. He presents a side I can digest. It seems to project the basic precept that after all is said and done the real deal is that life is a game of winning and losing.. Of survival of the fittest.. a sense of some trust in a higher power other than oneself, but that which commands certain responsibilities and control of oneself.. That we can't be our brother's keeper without sacrificing the very aspirations and level of achievement that is divinely bestowed each individual. I guess I just find his truth much less elusive than Pete's. But that's just me and who am I to say.ttghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11112783038947175664noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1750154945043557348.post-75798592956918404962010-07-24T07:28:21.294-07:002010-07-24T07:28:21.294-07:00More on the "property is the result of your l...More on the "property is the result of your labour" argument...<br />This is nearly always an oversimplification / utter falsehood.<br /><br />http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1293881/Poundland-launches-inquiry-boy-SEVEN-paid-7p-hour.html<br /><br />Quote: <br />His ‘wages’ of under £7 ($10) a week are sent to his widowed mother in a poverty-stricken rural village hundreds of miles away in the eastern state of Bihar.<br /><br /><br /><br />That 7-year-old boy works a 90-hour week for 10 US cents an hour. <br /><br />According to the free-market theory, he does this because both he and the manufacturing company both profit from the contract.<br /><br />Give me a break, people!<br /><br />This 7-year-old boy "decided" to move HUNDREDS OF MILES away from his mother to do this so that his mother won't die of starvation.<br /><br />The manufacturers no doubt inherited a large part of their wealth and didn't have to go out to work at age 7. Their parents may have sent them to England to go to Eton and Oxford, where they formed close life-long friendships that will allow them to make ADVANTAGEOUS contracts for the rest of their lives to go from millionaire to billionaire status. This boy, even if he is sent back to his mother and is miraculously allowed to go to school, will NEVER be able to compete with such advantages.<br /><br />Most of the world lives in povertyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1750154945043557348.post-75605449837544579892010-01-24T23:53:30.149-08:002010-01-24T23:53:30.149-08:00First let me say I really appreciated reading your...First let me say I really appreciated reading your detailed analysis. It it carefully worded and not inflammatory. Also you seem very pragmatic and realistic. This makes for a good discussion.<br /><br />I agree that the language in the video is not completely rigorous, but it seems to aim vulgarization first.<br /><br />Inheritance fits in voluntary exchange, it's a gift. Charity too.<br /><br />There is a strong case showing that intellectual property is actually not property, it's a misnomer.<br /><br />Regarding the "after the fact" value of an exchange, you are correct. In a voluntary exchange, both sides expect a benefit, but that may turn out to be a mistake (even in the absence of fraud). But the grand'ma ultimately bears the responsibility of her decision. She may choose to inform herself better, not trust people's advice blindly, manage her risks. All those things I would actually expect a grand'ma to do better than a teenager ;-) <br />Also, you don't need government to solve information asymmetry problems. The market actually solves them. The used car business is still vibrant. See the "Akerlof problems, Hayek solutions" paper on turning lemons into lemonade.<br /><br />The point about government and laziness is that using force is breaking the framework of voluntary transactions. It takes more effort to convince people than to state "this is the new majority regulation, you have to behave this way from now on".<br /><br />Regarding the Chicago school of economics, I would encourage you to learn about the Austrian school of economics instead. It makes none of the common assumptions (some perfect rational behavior, perfect information, some utility functions describing individual preferences, etc.). <br />Like you, I am annoyed when economists seem surprised that people don't behave like they expected ;-) But I have seen no such thing from Austrians (probably because they make very few assumptions).Julien Couvreurhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15158751165174523704noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1750154945043557348.post-4548676704381769852009-06-28T07:41:09.957-07:002009-06-28T07:41:09.957-07:00A challenge to my line of thinking is my absolute ...A challenge to my line of thinking is my absolute "stealing is always wrong" argument... if I make lousy choices and wind up destitute wandering the countryside with my toddler ... and he needs to poop in the woods that belong to another... and I use steal leaves to clean him...Shepard Humphrieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04104975596401344671noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1750154945043557348.post-30551781979017232412009-06-28T07:37:45.140-07:002009-06-28T07:37:45.140-07:00Pete, most arguments challenging free markets are ...Pete, most arguments challenging free markets are poorly thought out and are illogical. For the most part, your comments are clearly well thought out and logical. I shall offer some scattered brain droppings (RIP George C.):<br /><br />Milton and the Chicago gang certainly were not TRUE free market folks... and I would agree that their pseudo-capitalism stance was destined to fail. I am more of a Ludwig von Mises guy... but would hardly call myself an expert in economics! :)<br /><br /><br /><br />I agree that there are many complexities that radical free market folks like me are challenged with... and I don't think that a decision by our rulers tomorrow morning to make a complete change to freedom would be without problems!<br /><br />I appreciate your mention of information asymmetry and distinction that the merits of society or state responsibility for evening it out is arguable.<br /><br />The widow's poor choice is a risk I am willing to accept. I think that if a government could ever exist that could do a better job sorting things out than the free market... I would entertain its potential for being of value.<br /><br />The rationality of people is certainly not great. I wish we were all well versed in important areas... but because I am spending this time chatting with you about philosophy ... I am not learning about the best brand of bread... so when I purchase a loaf later... I will have to take a risk and just grab a loaf off the rack. A nutritional expert that skipped philosophy will have better information and can choose a better loaf. I might make an irrational decision based on the color of packaging,propaganda about plastic being environmentally unsound or something else.<br /><br />My belief is up to each of us to choose. Should we marry a dude or a gal? Should we learn more about bread or Pets.com? Should we send our children to a "school?" Should we consume battery acid, cigarettes or marijuana?<br /><br />Leaders -v- Rulers:<br />I see a distinction. Being led is voluntary. If I choose not to follow a leader and she forces me to obey; she becomes a ruler.<br />I don't think we need "leaders" in most situations. Advisers? Yes, I might choose advice about some issues.Shepard Humphrieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04104975596401344671noreply@blogger.com