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 slogan of the day

The mind cannot foresee its own advance
– F.A. Hayek


            No, not that Hayek…                     this one!

Samizdata slogan of the day

Princes and democratic majorities are drunk with power. They must reluctantly admit that they are subject to the laws of nature. But they reject the very notion of economic law.
– Ludwig von Mises, Human action: A Treatise on Economics

Samizdata slogan of the day

Political revolutions do not often accomplish anything of genuine value: their one undoubted effect is simply to throw out one gang of thieves and put in another
– H.L. Mencken

Samizdata slogan of the day

If you had bought $1000 worth of Nortel stock one year ago, it would now
be worth $49. With Enron, you would have $16.50 of the original $1,000.
With Worldcom, you would have less than $5 left. If you had bought $1,000 worth of Budweiser (the beer, not the stock) one year ago, drank all the beer, then turned in the cans for the 10 cent deposit, you would have $214. Based on the above, my current investment advice is to drink beer and recycle.
– Unknown, (via Alexander Baron)

[Editors comments: My only trouble with this advise, oh wise Illuminatus, is the choice of Budweiser. To quote ‘Spike’ from ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’: “Many American beers are under-rated… this ain’t one of them”]

Samizdata slogan of the day

You see those dictators on their pedestal, surrounded by the bayonets of their soldiers and the truncheons of their police, they are afraid of words and thoughts
– W.S. Churchill, referring to ‘book burnings’

Samizdata slogan of the day

It is best to act with confidence no matter how little right you have to it.
– Lillian Hellman

Samizdata slogan of the day

Saddam Hussein promised us the “mother of all battles” but in the event produced something like the daughter-in-law of an obscure cat fight. His soldiers quit, his air force flew to safety in Iran and in the end he only did a little of what he does best, the murder of innocents, mostly women and children, with a few Scuds lobbed into Israel.
-Wesley Pruden

(via Boris Kupershmidt on the LA-F)

Samizdata slogan of the day

Carter said to the Cuban people that the most important right is the freedom of assembly. The place where most Cubans assemble? Miami!
– Jay Leno, on ex-President Carter’s visit to Cuba

Samizdata slogan of the day

These idle disputants overlooked the invariable laws of nature, which have connected peace with innocence, plenty with industry, and safety with valour.
– Edward Gibbon, Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Chapter 30

Samizdata slogan of the day

The war is inevitable — and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come.

It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace — but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God!

I know not what course others may take but as for me: give me liberty or give me death.

– Patrick Henry, March 23, 1775, Richmond Virginia

Samizdata slogan of the day

These idle disputants overlooked the invariable laws of nature, which have connected peace with innocence, plenty with industry, and safety with valour.
– Edward Gibbon, Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Chapter 30

Samizdata slogan of the day

“Hey, Yutz! Guns aren’t toys! They’re for family protection, hunting dangerous or delicious animals and keeping the king of England outta your face!”
– Krusty the Clown from ‘The Simpsons’