An Introduction

Hello, and welcome to my latest little spot on the web.

I've started this project to explore individual sovereignty and freedom. These are things that constantly occupy my thoughts, things that I feel are frequently abrogated and in need of defense in our daily lives. One cannot, of course, fight an enemy one is not aware of. By the same token, one cannot defend something they are also unaware of. Therefore, I plan to use this space to do two things: one, identify where individual freedom is threatened, particularly by those who claim to speak and act for its sake; and, two, make others (as well as myself) aware of where this is happening and by what means.

I recently completed a Master's degree in philosophy, with my thesis being an examination of redistributionist/collectivist views versus libertarian views as each pertained to human rights. Both sides claimed to speak for rights, so I made it my job to figure out which of the two actually does. It was through this endeavor that I began to understand and appreciate the threat posed to individual liberty by those who seek to undermine it by pretending to be its friend.

Time and time again, I found in the views of such writers appeals to mob mentality. This makes sense, since the obvious opponent of the individualist is the collectivist. However, these sorts of appeals only work if one is convinced that they cannot act as an independent, rational being, that all actions - that one's own life - must be sanctioned by others first. Through doublespeak, this becomes "freedom," while the exercise of true freedom by individuals comes to be called "oppression." The mob is thereby the tool of the collectivist, as well as his or her weakness: if one convinces others to think, act, and live independently, to make no unjust, unreasonable claims over the lives of others, the mob dissolves and the enemies of freedom lose.

That is the purpose I will infuse into this blog. I hope you will enjoy reading it.