So, recently I've been hearing a lot usage of "Godwin's Law". The law is as follows:
As an online discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Nazis or Hitler approaches 1.
Now, this thread is meant to be humurous (although, admittedly, my "intellectual humor" is not too great), but after reading a few threads (and after reading that new thread on airport security), I want to christen "Rothbard's Law", which should read:
As an online libertarian discussion grows longer, the probability of a reference to absolute tyranny approaches 1.
Jonathan M. F. Catalán: So, recently I've been hearing a lot usage of "Godwin's Law". The law is as follows: As an online discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Nazis or Hitler approaches 1. Now, this thread is meant to be humurous (although, admittedly, my "intellectual humor" is not too great), but after reading a few threads (and after reading that new thread on airport security), I want to christen "Rothbard's Law", which should read: As an online libertarian discussion grows longer, the probability of a reference to absolute tyranny approaches 1.
There's already a Rothbard's law. It's: "People tend to specialize in what they are worst at."
To paraphrase Marc Faber: We're all doomed, but that doesn't mean that we can't make money in the process. Rabbi Lapin: "Let's make bricks!" Stephan Kinsella: "Say you and I both want to make a German chocolate cake."
Well, I could name it after myself (Catalán's Law), but then even less people would use it than they would otherwise.
Ok, I got one. "As an online libertarian discussion grows longer, the probability of someone claiming that "might makes right" approaches 1."
AS the length of an online libertarian discussion increases, the probability of an argument over a reference to Rothbard approaches 1.
February 17 - 1600 - Giordano Bruno is burnt alive by the catholic church. Aquinas : "much more reason is there for heretics, as soon as they are convicted of heresy, to be not only excommunicated but even put to death."
When Rothbard isn't mentioned, the chance of it not being a libertarian discussion is one.
The state is not the enemy. The idea of the state is.
I propose Scott's law: Individuals generally attack most vehemently the ideas they themselves once held.
Examples are : walter block who used to be a socialist now attacking it or Hoppe once being a social democrat now attacking democracy .
I don't really want to comment or read anything here.I have near zero in common with many of you.I may return periodically when there's something you need to know.
Near Mutualist/Libertarian Socialist.
Jonathan M. F. Catalán:As an online libertarian discussion grows longer, the probability of a reference to absolute tyranny approaches 1.
Since you already mentioned it in this forum, doesn't that make it just slightly self-fulfilling? Can I get a touche!?
Scott F: I propose Scott's law: Individuals generally attack most vehemently the ideas they themselves once held. Examples are : walter block who used to be a socialist now attacking it or Hoppe once being a social democrat now attacking democracy .
+1 It happens to me too.
Holy s*** dude, I like that one! For me it's positivism I think.
"When the King is far the people are happy." Chinese proverb
For Alexander Zinoviev and the free market there is a shared delight:
"Where there are problems there is life."
Thanks guys.
It's been my little pet theory for quite a while now.
I've had it happen to me. for example when I was a kid I was a christian and by my teenage years I started to hate christianity (I have a more fair minded view of it now.) or a better example ,in 2008 I was a minarchist and now I'm deeply critical of it.
Me too. Minarchism is upsetting to me on a DEEP level. Having been one myself...
There should be a compilation of the various "Laws of Rothbard". I remember him having a couple. Lew Rockwell's law: Whatever the government tells you, believe the opposite.
As far as this forum is concerned, here's a couple "laws"...
"When hard debates approach, an army of strawmen will arise"
"As far as intellectual property, you can't copyright this conversation"
"Statistics without theory is like ingredients without the directions"
"When people feel morally correct, they feel obligated to use force - by the State"
"Once in a while you'll come across a man with a plan - a central plan"
"Picking a Statist out of a room of an-cap is liking picking the bad apple out the bushel"