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

There are two Englands…and Ted Heath is from the other one
– James Bennett

Samizdata slogan of the day

Men should be what they seem.
– William Shakespeare, “Othello” act III scene III

Half-remembered Samizdata quote for the day

In his book Table Talk Adolf Hitler lamented that German writers had neglected what he saw as their proper business, namely composing paeans of praise of the ancient German kings. He finished off with this comment:

Even Schiller had to glorify that Swiss sniper, Tell.

Samizdata slogan of the day

The world is divided into those who can stop dog-fights and those who cannot.
-P.G.Wodehouse (‘Ruth in Exile’, The Man Upstairs, 1914)

Samizdata slogan of the day

It’s over, and can’t be helped, and that’s one consolation,
as they always say in Turkey, when they cut the wrong man’s head off
-Charles Dickens (The Pickwick Papers)

Samizdata slogan of the day

Capitalism is the unequal distribution of wealth, socialism the equal distribution of misery
– Winston S. Churchill

Samizdata slogan of the day

It was not so much ‘love at first sight’ as ‘love at first philosophical exchange’
– Perry de Havilland

Samizdata slogan of the day

It is said that the civilized man seeks out good and intelligent company, so that by learned discourse, he may rise above the savage, and be closer to God. Personally however, I like to start the day with a total dickhead to remind me that I’m best.
– Edmund Blackadder (Rowan Atkinson)

Samizdata slogan of the day

Why blog when you can snog?
– An un-named blogger

Samizdata slogan of the day

In all your dealings with them you must always try pitching your voice an octave higher. Generalise as long as the words last. Don’t just defend yourself, your own narrow little sector; set out to shatter their whole system!
-Alexander Solzhenitsyn (The Oak and the Calf)

Samizdata slogan of the day

I know what you’re thinking. Did he fire six shots or only five? Well, to tell you the truth, in all this excitement, I’ve kinda lost track myself. But being as this is a .44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world, and would blow your head clean off, you’ve got to ask yourself one question: Do I feel lucky? Well, do ya punk?

– (if you don’t know who said this, you are obviously a visiting space alien)

Samizdata slogan of the day

To not vote in an election is to vote for civil society and against the state itself
– Perry de Havilland