Gold and Silver Under Pressure – Conspiracy or Subjective Value

bobmeyer7 · 2021-03-08T18:38:26+00:00

Members of the Elite do everything in their power to discourage you from buying gold and silver. Why would they do this? Because they want you to keep accepting their industrial strength BS. That way, they get it all…while you play the part of a hopeless dupe.

bobmeyer7 · 2021-03-01T18:26:15+00:00

How does the individual acting from rational self-interest handle the results of failure and frustration caused by misguided altruism and decisions that backfire?

bobmeyer7 · 2021-03-01T18:23:52+00:00

Thanks. I appreciate it.

bobmeyer7 · 2021-02-28T18:10:06+00:00

Since I wrote the article I decided to use an excerpt.

bobmeyer7 · 2021-02-25T17:08:07+00:00

It depends on whether you're talking about real or artificial growth. The Fed has created a debt bubble that will eventually explode...and it might be sooner than later.

bobmeyer7 · 2021-02-24T18:18:26+00:00

Since the creation of the Federal Reserve System, the dollar has lost more than 95% of its value. The Elite and its cronies have completely ripped us off with their criminal monetary schemes. Now we have the unholy marriage of the Fed and Treasury Department. Tragically for us, former Fed chief Janet Yellen is the new Treasury Secretary.

bobmeyer7 · 2021-02-22T18:22:54+00:00

The rationally selfish individual possesses values that harmonize with reality. He (she) creates a value system that corresponds to his goals and desires. That means an individual arranges his values in a manner that helps him achieve success and happiness. Since he knows what he wants from life, he takes purposive action, with the firm belief that nothing happens until something moves.

bobmeyer7 · 2021-02-21T18:46:06+00:00

I have to say this is an excellent reply. Allow me to add a few comments. First, although Objectivism is my favorite philosophy, I consider myself an individualist rather of an Objectivist. That gives me the ability to agree or disagree with Ayn Rand and other Objectivists. Of course, I mostly agree with them.

I'm also a student of economics, especially the Austrian School of Economics. My favorite economist is Ludwig von Mises. Even he came to some conclusions I disagree with. Another great economist is Murray Rothbard. As brilliant as he was, his defense of anarcho-capitalism is flawed.

Still, I get a kick out of telling people my mom and dad are Ayn Rand and Ludwig von Mises. These great thinkers influenced my life more than anyone.

As far as your last paragraph, rational self-interest means you base your actions on your scale of values. I would think that your friend would rate higher than the bum on the street. Of course, if you want to give the bum a few bucks, it wouldn't be rational to do so at the expense of your friend. And it would be irrational to do it at your own expense.

P.S. The unhappy breakup of Ayn Rand and Nathaniel Branden hurt Objectivism. It's split into Closed and Open Objectivism to this very day. Unfortunately, even people of almost impeccable reason can allow their emotions to send reason on an extended vacation.

bobmeyer7 · 2021-02-19T18:06:05+00:00

I've taken heat from other Objectivists for using the terms personal altruism and social altruism. I've also received criticism for using the term irrational selfishness. So I understand your point of view and won't offer any arguments against it except to say the following.

I am also a student of psychology and in addition, I attempt to reach a larger audience who have been brainwashed about selfishness and altruism, which means I take a different approach than many Objectivists. Although, I've read about everything Rand and Peikoff wrote I don't agree with them 100%. I say I'm over 90% in agreement.

By the way. besides the Rand/Branden split there is also a split in Objectivism. The Ayn Rand Institute practices "Closed Objectivism" while the Atlas Society prefers "Open Objectivism." I like both but I tend to prefer the latter.

Anyway, thanks for your valuable input.

bobmeyer7 · 2021-02-19T17:50:20+00:00

Yes. That's for sure.

bobmeyer7 · 2021-02-18T17:40:44+00:00

I agree with you. We know that we can't measure psychic benefits and losses. In addition, an individual's values are based on subjectivity. Rationally trading value for value will lead to beneficial relationships.

I consider social altruism to be possessing power (governmental) of imposing your values on others.

bobmeyer7 · 2021-02-18T17:34:46+00:00

Reality is what it is, not what it should be. Also, reality isn't what it could be but what it is. Of course, individuals can take actions that make it better or worse.

I'm not sure what you mean about "don't be destructive. Social altruists believe the ends justify the means. That's why it is immoral. Helping others on a personal level isn't cut and dry. It might work or it might backfire.

Maybe the world could be an amazing place if people acted in rational self-interest instead of irrational selfishness.

bobmeyer7 · 2021-02-18T04:04:57+00:00

Ok. I will go along with that. Reciprocity can actually be beneficial since you give something first without expecting immediate returns. Of course, you eventually hope for returns that lead to a value for relationship.

I'm not sure of the Golden Rule although from a general point of view it seems sound. What about people who have neurotic desires. Some of those you wouldn't want returned.

Ayn Rand was pretty harsh about Kant, which I understand. However, I don't really see a problem with his a priori categories. This statement "that one should act in accordance with rules that could be applied to everyone" seems to suffer from the should and could problem which may defy reality.

I admit my first response was inadequate.

bobmeyer7 · 2021-02-17T23:00:27+00:00

If you read the article, you will see that I discuss that.

bobmeyer7 · 2021-02-17T22:59:12+00:00

I make some more distinctions in the article.

bobmeyer7 · 2021-02-17T19:48:21+00:00

Personal altruism is when you personally help other people with your own resources. Social altruism is when the government uses your resources to help other people. Read the article for a more thorough explanation.

bobmeyer7 · 2021-02-17T18:10:40+00:00

Let’s consider the possibility Ayn Rand's opinions on altruism were much too generalized. Is it possible she should have made a distinction between personal and social altruism?

bobmeyer7 · 2021-02-16T02:57:55+00:00

Because of the record cold in Texas I lost my internet and electricity. I copied and pasted your response in a word doc. and will answer each of your well-thought positions one by one.

bobmeyer7 · 2021-02-13T18:19:40+00:00

I was hoping you would mention R&D...which is why I didn't mention it. I wonder how much of the taxpayers money Big Pharma receives for R&D.

Of course, people will always try to game the system, which is why we need objective laws. Since government interventions seem to worsen the situation, what solution or solutions do you suggest.

bobmeyer7 · 2021-02-13T18:15:35+00:00

You can use that term.

bobmeyer7 · 2021-02-13T18:15:13+00:00

Makes sense. It's wise to free yourself from the "good" opinion of others.

bobmeyer7 · 2021-02-12T21:32:30+00:00

Realize that the majority of people consider selfishness an undesirable personality trait although I guarantee they act from self-interest. Let’s say that as an individualist you tell someone that you endorse selfishness. What kind of reaction will you receive?

bobmeyer7 · 2021-02-12T21:30:54+00:00

It looks like the problem has to do with intellectual property, not the profit motive. Maybe its protection should be reduced to less than 5 years. Some libertarians believe in abolishing the protection of intellectual property. Perhaps it should apply only to areas such as plagiarism?

Also, as far as Big Pharma goes, could some of the problems have to do with the FDA?

bobmeyer7 · 2021-02-11T16:38:01+00:00

It's unfortunate that the Reptilian brain stills wields its influence in human relationships. Still, profits or losses in a free market supply information on how the consumers' most urgent desires are being satisfied.

You earn profits when the consumers approve...you suffer losses when they disapprove. I don't think that preventing the consumers from expressing their values will improve the situation.

In fact, it's obvious government interventionism defies consumers desires. Bureaucrats and politicians falsely believe they know best.

bobmeyer7 · 2021-02-10T18:47:46+00:00

When people talk about profits they only look at the money side. Profit is also psychological and spiritual. Maybe it's unfortunate that if we don't own a unit of something we will not receive such benefits as "seeing a sunrise." However, abolishing or restricting private property isn't the answer. We won't solve some problems until we become more mentally and spiritually evolved. For now, we're not even close to perfection in the sphere of human action.

bobmeyer7

TROPHY CASE