No, the Big Vague Collective Parent Doesn't Do Most Things Better

November 28, 2005

Marginal Revolution and Dr. Sanity provide evidence for the need

• to think for yourself -- be very alert when emotionally and factually solicited via labels.
• not to hope the government will make it too easy to decide; [Update: explained further here, explicating our own belief that the feedback "Oops" is a good thing, and that when one makes a mistake the best outcome is that the mistake become unmistakably clear, right away.

We should be less obsessed with the fact that people do make errors and more obsessed with designing market institutions that generate the best kinds of error-reducing feedback.]

That is, not shielding ourselves from the consequences of acts, but ideally accelerating and magnifying those consequences in the interest of rapid learning and changing of gears.

• and never, never to give up individual control of property and planning for the future.

No, this is not a political post -- these are principles to avoid great unhappiness. It's not always possible to isolate and reverse the cause of things. Labels, particularly conceptual labels, lie, mislead, and shuffle individual power right out the door. The incentives of those who decide in the name of the government do not reflect yours, so ask yourself. And certain kinds of systems and individuals outlaw property and opinion, as they fall in love with death. Mao's and Stalin's democide and homicide outcomes dwarf the numbers for Hitler and even the combat in large modern wars.

Just say no. And mean it. The psychological, even narcissistic, undertow that the world of strangers should be like "family" and make it easy and lavish approval and embrace everyone's welfare and constitute a circle of warm fragrant communauté...Stop! Wake up, get out of the warm dream state where we're all One into pragmatic this-minute reality. Don't confuse Kairos with Chronos. Keep a firm grip on your mind, your vocabulary, your pocketbook, and the deed and title to property.

We here're devoted to the Peaceable Kingdom. But in Its own terms. There is no intermediate ANSWER. Dream on at your own peril, and ours.