We are developing the social individualist meta-context for the future. From the very serious to the extremely frivolous... lets see what is on the mind of the Samizdata people.

Samizdata, derived from Samizdat /n. - a system of clandestine publication of banned literature in the USSR [Russ.,= self-publishing house]

Samizdata quote of the day

In most every election, 80% of blacks vote Democratic – the perceived party of free stuff – rather than for the party that ended slavery.

Rachel Marsden

Samizdata quote of the day

The danger is not that a particular class is unfit to govern: every class is unfit to govern.

– John Dalberg-Acton

Samizdata quote of the day

If you want to cut your own throat, don’t come to me for a bandage.

– attributed to Margaret Thatcher

Samizdata quote of the day

To succeed in the world it is not enough to be stupid, you must also be well-mannered.

– Voltaire

Samizdata quote of the day

Oh, and anyone in the government opposing [calls for Islamic dress for women to be banned in Britain] is to be conditionally applauded…

…they are right to reject this vile authoritarian notion…

…but if they opposite it because “Islamic dress is ok” then they are a horse’s arse and need to called that.

A burqua or any item of islamic dress for women is as “ok” as a Nazi arm band… and people’s ability to wear Nazi arm bands also should not be banned, but they sure as hell should not be applauded.

– Perry de Havilland

Samizdata quote of the day

Subtracting time needed to get to the area, at 146,000 barrels per day that translates into 9 million barrels that could have been processed since the initial offer was made by the Dutch.

– a commenter here called ‘Willab’ remarking on the belated US decision to accept Dutch assistance in dealing with the BP oil spill.

Samizdata quote of the day

To think that the new economy is over is like somebody in London in 1830 saying the entire industrial revolution is over because some textile manufacturers in Manchester went broke.

– Alvin Toffler

The government can…

…cos they mix it up with lies to make it all taste good!!!

A moment of transcendent irony

Germane to Michael Jennings’ post below pertaining to Prince’s declaration that the “Internet is completely over”, I had a brief conversation with a decidedly winsome 20-something young lady, elegant yet edgy (she was a cut glass accented thoroughbred Sloane Ranger wearing ‘All Saints’). She was sitting in a sandwich shop in a well-heeled part of town… expensive Apple laptop open as she availed herself of the free WiFi whilst having luncheon…

The following really happened, serious, not joking.

Samizdata Illuminatus “Did you read that Prince thinks the ‘Internet is completely over”? He refuses to release any of his music on it at all”

20-Something-Young-Lady “Really? Umm… I did not even know he was a musician.”

SI “Well, yes…he is. He is one of the great guitarists of our time.”

20-S-Y-L “Hah, that’s funny! I cannot picture that old foggy playing a guitar! I thought he just spent his time playing polo, messing with architects and hugging trees…”

SI “No, no, no, not Prince Charles… ”

20-S-Y-L “Prince William? No, I am sure you must mean Harry! Oooo! Yummy Harry with a guitar!”

SI “No, the American musician called ‘Prince’.”

20-S-Y-L “Oh, I see. And this chap calls himself ‘Prince’? That’s hilarious!”

SI “He used to call himself ‘Squiggle’.”

20-S-Y-L “I’m sure I’ve never heard of him.”

SI “I suddenly feel very… old’.”

20-S-Y-L “I’ll download something of his off Bit Torrent and see if he’s any good.”

I do not believe she immediately grasped the sheer transcendent irony of the moment.

Samizdata quote of the day

It will be found an unjust and unwise jealousy to deprive a man of his natural liberty upon the supposition he may abuse it.

– George Washington

Samizdata quote of the day

The sort of dependence that results from exchange, i.e., from commercial transactions, is a reciprocal dependence. We cannot be dependent upon a foreigner without his being dependent on us. Now, this is what constitutes the very essence of society. To sever natural interrelations is not to make oneself independent, but to isolate oneself completely.

– Frederic Bastiat

Samizdata quote of the day

I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book.

– Groucho Marx