On Science Fantasy

“Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” – Arthur C. Clark

(All works mentioned here are trademarks of their respective authors or media companies).

Science Fantasy is any story that mixes elements of science fiction – the world that could be, of science and technology – and fantasy – the world that couldn’t, of magic. The levels to which they can be combined range on a scale of mostly fantasy with some science fiction elements, such as the Shannara series, to heavy science fiction with some fantasy elements, such as Star Wars. Then there are those where both elements exist side by side, such as He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, a sword and sorcery franchise that has high tech elements just as much as magic; and the Final Fantasy video game franchise; and also the horror franchise of H.P Lovecraft. Sometimes, such as in the computer game, The Longest Journey, these two genres are at odds against each other.

Some, such as Dr. Who, have fantasy elements which always turn out to be science fiction elements. On the other hand The Legend of Korra has science fiction elements that are made possible through the fantasy elements. These I would also classify as science fantasy. On the other hand, works such as Sherlock Holmes or Scooby Doo, where fantastic elements are revealed to be hoaxes, I do not consider to be science fantasy.

So the line is subtle and blurred. However, if one can find the stories within the borders of the genre, I believe some of the greatest speculative fiction are written. This is why I have chosen this sub-genre, or pan-genre if you prefer. It forces the author, in this case myself, to stretch one’s imagination to see how science and technology either co-exist or come into conflict with each other. It also helps to break out of the medieval stasis that many fantasy novels suffer from, a trope I feel is a dead horse that has been beaten so much that nothing of said horse is recognizable.

I hope to be able to share this passion with you, and that you will come to enjoy it as much as I.

Source: Tyler Leonhardt – On Science Fantasy

Are Taxes Required for Civilization?

By Andrew Kern of the Principled Libertarian


Is it true that “taxes are the price we pay for civilization”?

Given that taxes are taken from productive members of society, it follows that society had to exist before the state arrived to impose taxes.


A society would need to reach a level of cooperation through division of labor so as to have enough surplus resources to allow for a parasitizing state apparatus.

What else would we call such a cooperative society besides a ‘civilization’?

It is more accurate to say that civilization is a necessary precursor to taxation.

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Think Like an Economist


By Antony Sammeroff, Personal Development Expert and Libertarian Podcaster, Life Coach; Piano Tutor; Theatre Critic.  Purveyor of the “Scottish Liberty Podcast” and “Be Yourself and Love It“.

Literally everyone knows people who are achieving below their potential because they procrastinate. For a free book on overcoming procrastination download from:  https://beyourselfandloveit.com/en/doit

Download this man’s book if you’re guilty of the same bad habit that is all too common : procrastination.

www.beyourselfandloveit.com


For the history you didn’t learn in school, check out Liberty Classroom:

Get the equivalent of a Ph.D. in libertarian thought and free-market economics online for just 24 cents a day….

Source: Seeing Not Seen – Think Like an Economist

The 80’s Save Society

By The Professional Asshole


In the last 20 years society in the developed world has come down with an illness called feminism. This illness has basically taken to bucking 5,000 years of received wisdom—that the sexes are drastically different.

They are different psychologically, genetically, physically, athletically, economically, academically, and in every other conceivable category. One is not less morally or personally significant, only different.

This received wisdom is now called “sexism.”

I believe we, as libertarians, have a duty to society. A duty to recognize freedom of association and differing cultures, much in contradiction to the SJW, totalitarian left.

Before modern feminism much culture existed that is still available to us to persue and enjoy celebrating the world as it is, and not some genderless zhe/zhim/zher utopia where all distinctions are “racism.”

One of the most effective ways to do this is to have people watch old comedies. They are irreverent and demonstrative of reality (by making fun of it).

Take for example Police Academy: The opening line recognizes some people are too fat, dumb, or female to be cops (a point made repeatedly).

The fat and dumb seem to be standard now. Ideally, law enforcement should be fit enough to need limited force.

Continue reading “The 80’s Save Society”

Minecraft…libertarian Paradise?

Minecraft, libertarian, game, game review, voluntaryism, ancap, anarcho capitalismIt was a dark time for gaming. Shooters abounded, with the game giants churning out endless sequels to Guitar Hero, Call of Duty, Assassin’s Creed, Halo and Gears of War. And while some of them could be pretty decent, I yearned for something unique. An open-world style game that allowed me to build, explore and have a cool adventure. Sounds like a great idea, right?

That’s when I came across Minecraft, a procedurally generated world filled with blocks that could be “mined” in order to produce a variety of tools and structures. It sounded awesome, except for one minor problem. It wasn’t available on my Xbox 360. Instead, what WAS available was the independently produced Total Miner, a game of similar design that I quickly fell in love with. Over the next year or so, I’d mine and build my way across countless worlds, filling them with elaborate structures of my own design. I’d also play Fortress Craft, which was a slightly different take – but still pretty great too. And when Minecraft finally arrived on the 360? Yep, you guessed it. I delved in and spent the next two or three years building huge futuristic cities and exploring the mountains, ravines and oceans of whatever world I happened to like the looks of.

Today on my PS4, I still pick it up and play it whenever I want a great couch co-op experience, or just want to spend a little time building and chilling out. In fact while playing recently, I thought about how Minecraft could quite possibly be on of the most libertarian / anarcho capitalist / voluntaryist games out there. I mean, if you’ve also played it, you might know what I’m talking about. The world literally has no government or massive State to oversee all your actions. There’s just you, and your drive to create and explore. Want to build an awesome house in the middle of the ocean, or better yet – under the ocean? You can do it! Want to create a Frank Lloyd Wright style structure in the mountains? Go for it! Enjoy farming, trading with the locals and raising animals? Make it happen! Don’t like the skeletons that keep breaking the non-aggression principal with the nearby peaceful villages at night? You can step in and save the day. No government permit, state board of regulation, imposed statism, or calling the cops.

Of course, you’re also free to behave badly if you want too. For example, if you want to level the entire landscape to build a giant lava spewing toilet, well…it can be done, provided you want to take the time to mine the materials and construct the thing. Or if you want to place a thousand blocks of dynamite in the middle of a peaceful group of derpy looking cows, or build an unsightly dirt tower in the middle of a beautiful valley, yep. You guessed it. You can do that too.

The immensely successful game, which is brightly colored with soothing ambient music, and an environment made entirely out of blocks (including animals and other forms of life), is appropriate for kids and adults. Players can certainly “kill” the creatures found in the game, but there is no blood. And surprisingly in this day and age, there’s no sexual content or foul language either. It’s an extremely accessible and creative game all about building, exploration, self determination, creating your own story – and freedom.

And hey, let’s face it. If libertarian sea colonies or a voluntaryist country happens to take a while to come into fruition here in the real world, at least you can build one in Minecraft. Have fun!

Also See:


Source: Libertopia Cartoon – Minecraft…libertarian Paradise?

FPF #85 – The War Comes Home

On FPF #85, I discuss the impact of the War on Terron on the US. My discussion on it is prompted by Trump’s plans to resume the sale of surplus military equipment to police departments. I explain how the war affects the economy, culture, and civil liberties. I also update North Korea, Yemen, Syria, and Afghanistan.

Source: Foreign Policy Focus – FPF #85 – The War Comes Home