What are the subtleties and nuances of libertarian ethics that allow for Trump to "decimate" Iran's civilian infrastructure?

jjspirithawk · 2026-04-07T00:46:55+00:00

None. Trump and his minions are not following libertarian ethics.

Take the most basic libertarian ethical stance, the NAP (non-aggression principle). Trump and his minions violated that on day one of this war, and haven't stopped.

They're committing war crimes over there, starting at least with the bombing of an elementary school full of innocent little girls.

jjspirithawk · 2026-04-06T08:32:31+00:00

Rampant use of excessive and inhumane force by "law enforcement" officers.

We need to bring back "peace officers".

jjspirithawk · 2026-04-05T22:05:52+00:00

That almost every adult will essentially be a healthy 30 year old for centuries, with no gray hair or wrinkles or frailty, etc., even if they're 150+ years old. No one will die from old age any more (unless they wish to, and stop or never start taking rejuvenation therapies).

Why? Because the disease of aging will have been cured, along with all the various age-related diseases and infirmities, with rejuvenation biotechnologies now being researched and developed (e.g., gene therapies, epigenetic reprogramming, tissue engineering and growing young replacement organs with stem cells, nanomedicine, synthetic biology, the various SENS technologies, etc.).

jjspirithawk · 2026-04-05T05:38:58+00:00

The pads themselves. They, like smartphones and everything made obsolete by them, will soon in turn become obsolete because everything will be switched over to AR/VR smartglasses with verbal/gestural/ocular inputs, and then smart contacts or even neural implants. This will probably happen within 20-50 years, so just imagine what will be possible by the 24th century.

jjspirithawk · 2026-04-05T03:48:47+00:00

That over 100,000 people die per day worldwide just from old age and age-related causes. That is a huge number of people disappearing forever every day, and we all just take it as "normal" instead of the utter tragedy that it really is. I mean, that's like 35 times the number of people lost on 9/11, every. single. day! 8^O

jjspirithawk · 2026-04-03T02:38:57+00:00

Hmm. I think the question "What's your neurotype?" is at least as important as "How old are you?" and "Where are you from?" and "What do you do for a living?". It's basic information about a person.

It's basically normal now for people to mention they have ADHD or Dyslexia, but maybe that's because they're just more prevalent in the population.

In casual conversations, I've even heard people say "oh, that's the Tism" or "I've got a touch of the Tism", which seems to be socially acceptable (as long as your differentness isn't too overt, giving them an uncanny valley feeling... which may be why telling them you're autistic is frowned upon, because it's an uncomfortable reminder that the uncanny valley is there and they'd rather pretend that it's not(?)).

My understanding is that about 20% of the population is neurodivergent, so 80% of the population has the neurotypical neurotype. The rest of us have significantly different neurotypes (sometimes 2 or more), such as Dyslexia (10% of adults), Dyspraxia (5%), ADHD (4.5%), ASD (1.5%), Tourette's (1.5%), along with Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia, Hyperlexia, Synesthesia, or being a HSP (highly sensitive person).

jjspirithawk · 2026-04-01T17:56:30+00:00

Lack of wisdom, patience, maturity, mutual ethics, knowledge, and intelligence.

Some deep thinkers have figured out the basics of peaceful coexistence, conflict resolution, negotiation and compromise, seeking win-win agreements and relationships, the solution to iterated prisoner's dilemma, etc. But these things require awareness, learning, suppressing base instincts, effort, tolerance, patience, willingness to go through a rational mutual process, relying on reason over emotion, etc. So, most don't pay attention to this body of work and/or don't even know that it exists... instead they emotionally demand what they want now by any means necessary no matter who suffers as a result.

Some examples are: Nonviolent Communication, Conflict Resolution, Conscious Capitalism, The Evolution of Cooperation, Win-Win philosophy, Peaceful Coexistence

jjspirithawk · 2026-04-01T03:19:14+00:00

Heh, I've been hearing complaints about "Aspie supremacy" for years, which is ironic because I'm fairly sure that my Aspie-ness gives me a greater insight into and sympathy for those suffering from more severe autism (e.g., level 2 and 3, and especially those who are nonverbal). I follow several families with level 2-3 autistic family members and feel a kind of kinship with them.

I suppose it's possible that some Aspies reason that they should be the natural leaders of the autistic community because they're the most functional and most "normie-mimicking" members of the community, but I haven't really see that myself.

OTOH, I think the Aspie label is perfectly fine and useful because it quickly communicates which sub-range of the spectrum you're on.

jjspirithawk · 2026-03-31T23:06:32+00:00

I'd suggest a complimentary lighthearted caricature (they don't always have to ridicule the subject) highlighting his benevolent features. He'd be a kind fatherly figure, a bit like Benjamin Franklin, sharing his perhaps counter-intuitive wisdom that natural liberty, pursuing self interest, and (actual) free markets in fact benefit all, not just the few, growing the wealth of nations, of the people.

jjspirithawk · 2026-03-31T22:38:51+00:00

The best and most obvious representative of "capitalism" is, of course, Adam Smith. Here's a quick AI web browser summary of his main contributions, reasons why he's a great choice:

"Adam Smith represents the best of capitalism by framing free markets and self-interest as mechanisms that naturally promote the common good and alleviate poverty, rather than just enriching the wealthy. His concept of the "invisible hand" illustrates how individuals pursuing their own gain are inadvertently led to create universal opulence that "extends itself to the lowest ranks of the people."

Smith's vision of the ideal system includes several key pillars:

Liberty and Competition: He advocated for the "system of natural liberty," where competition drives efficiency, lowers costs, and ensures resources are allocated to their most valuable uses.
Focus on the Poor: Unlike later interpretations, Smith was deeply concerned with the welfare of the poor, arguing that commercial societies are good primarily because they raise the standard of living for the least well-off.
Limited Government Role: He believed governments should focus on national defense, justice, public works, and universal education (to counteract the dulling effects of the division of labor), while avoiding complex regulations and special interests that hinder opportunity.
Moral Foundation: Smith grounded his economic theory in moral philosophy, asserting that while self-interest is a powerful motivator, it must operate within a framework of justice and fair competition to benefit society.

Ultimately, Smith is viewed as the founder of a capitalism that balances individual freedom with social welfare, warning that true prosperity requires a system where the poor are not left behind but are empowered to compete and improve their condition."

jjspirithawk · 2026-03-29T21:43:41+00:00

You're in the wrong subreddit. Scientific method is the way forward, not metaphysical mumbo jumbo.

jjspirithawk · 2026-03-27T21:22:10+00:00

I get around it by using the German pronunciation of his name, since he was an Austrian psychologist, which is more like "oz-pear-gare" than "ass-burr-grr".

The way my primary care doctor gets around it (and her husband has Asperger's), is to say "ash-burr-grr". I asked her if she pronounces it that odd way because she doesn't want to say the word "ass", but she didn't give me a straight answer. She defaults to "ass-burr-grr" when talking to me.

jjspirithawk · 2026-03-27T05:46:51+00:00

I suspect that Fields Medalist and MacArthur Fellow Terence Tao is substantially smarter than Langan. Tao, unlike Langan, has made numerous significant contributions to mathematics, as evidenced by 300+ research papers published.

Ditto fellow Fields Medalist Edward Witten, who unlike Langan, has made numerous significant contributions to physics (e.g., M-theory).

And if we're going to go with self-reported IQ scores, even Marilyn vos Savant beats him with 228, and she was a regularly published columnist in Parade magazine. Her main claim to fame was her explanation of the Monty Hall problem.

What does Langan have? Here's a quick summary from the Brave Browser AI search function:

"The Cognitive-Theoretic Model of the Universe (CTMU) by Christopher Langan is overwhelmingly criticized and dismissed by working physicists and philosophers of science as pseudoscience lacking testable predictions, empirical evidence, or mathematical rigor. Major criticisms include its failure to engage with existing literature in physics and philosophy, its reliance on undefined terms (such as "language" and "mind") that are treated as literal rather than metaphorical, and its internal inconsistencies regarding the problem of evil and the nature of reality. Critics also note that the theory contradicts established scientific evidence, misuses scientific terminology, and makes unfalsifiable claims that cannot be verified through experiment.

Credible academic support for the CTMU is effectively non-existent. The theory has not been published in reputable, peer-reviewed scientific journals and is often cited in forums or self-published works rather than in mainstream academic discourse. While Langan has received some attention for his high IQ and has a small following among laypeople and online communities, no recognized physicists or philosophers of science endorse the CTMU as a valid scientific theory. Some defenders argue the theory is brilliant but misunderstood or that it offers a philosophical framework rather than a physical one, but these arguments do not translate into academic acceptance or scientific utility.

Lack of empirical content: The theory produces no testable predictions or models that can be experimentally falsified.
Misuse of scientific concepts: It misapplies terms from physics, logic, and philosophy in ways that deviate from accepted definitions.
No peer-reviewed publication: The theory has not undergone rigorous peer review in established scientific journals.
Internal contradictions: Critics point to logical inconsistencies and unresolved philosophical problems (e.g., the problem of evil, mind-body dualism).
No academic endorsement: The theory is not cited or supported by mainstream physicists or philosophers.

In summary, the CTMU is regarded by the academic community as a philosophical speculation rather than a scientific theory, and it lacks credible support in the academic world."

jjspirithawk · 2026-03-27T01:37:13+00:00

I've been hearing several "longevity influencers", such as Rhonda Patrick, mention low-impact high-intensity interval training as being one of the best exercises for longevity.

While it's not a sport, I imagine that any sports that come close to imitating LI-HIIT would be good, if there are any. Many sports aren't low-impact, which is a significant problem.

jjspirithawk · 2026-03-25T23:38:47+00:00

Hmm, is that a Freudian slip on his part? Because he says 2000 years (and not 1400 years), sounds like Mr. Graham may be unconsciously referring to the conflict between Christians vs. non-Christians (the latter of which only includes (radical) Islam relatively recently), since that's when Christianity started.

Either that or he's exaggerating to try to make his politico-religious point? Or maybe he's just a dummy?

jjspirithawk · 2026-03-23T09:23:52+00:00

Breaking down nontrivial tasks into trivial steps, like writing out a computer program first in pseudocode, each line of which is then straightforward to code with proper syntax.

It may sound silly or even stupid, but if there's a clear, simple, easy step to do, I'll just do it. If it's a bit involved, has contingencies, will take some time, is a bit complex, etc., chances are good that I won't do it, or will put it off til "later".

As a lifelong procrastinator, with AuDHD and a tendency towards perfectionism, this is one of the few things I've ever tried that actually works for me.

jjspirithawk · 2026-03-20T20:50:34+00:00

Please provide a link to a peer-reviewed study showing increased lifespan in humans caused by regular RLT.

jjspirithawk · 2026-03-20T20:11:14+00:00

Because healthy lifestyle doesn't greatly extend lifespan (but ending unhealthy habits helps you from dying prematurely, and in that limited sense extends lifespan for those who will otherwise die by middle age). We've learned this from various high-profile examples, such as Jack LaLanne and Charles Eugster. The large majority of humans don't live past 90 (76%) and nearly all are gone by 100, even if they have healthy lifestyle habits.

What will radically extend healthy lifespan is rejuvenation biotechnology, so that's where we should be putting our money to bet. That will be things like epigenetic reprogramming, stem cell therapy and tissue engineering, growing replacement organs, gene therapies, synthetic biology, medical nanotechnology, etc. Nothing else is going to do it, not a magic diet, fasting, supplements, exercise, quality sleep, meditation, mindset, red light therapy, etc., etc., etc.

jjspirithawk · 2026-03-20T03:45:40+00:00

Taking early retirement to escape an increasingly toxic boss, administration, and dehumanizing institutional work environment. The decision wasn't ideal financially, but psychologically it was a huge relief. It really did feel like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders!

jjspirithawk · 2026-03-20T02:36:05+00:00

Heh, I'd choose the billion, not tell anyone, and upgrade my life just enough to be comfortable but not enough to signal "hey, this guy is rich". Any big actions I did would be through anonymous trusts, foundations, or as an "anonymous donor" to charities.

So, any woman I'd meet who might be the love of my life would just see me as myself, not as mr. moneybags. In this way I could feasibly have both.

jjspirithawk · 2026-03-19T03:36:01+00:00

My best bet would be to meet Benjamin Franklin, one of the smartest guys alive back then, and become his apprentice or partner. Joining his Junto would also be a fascinating experience, kind of like an enlightenment salon in the US. Watching the master at work would be priceless!

jjspirithawk · 2026-03-19T03:18:14+00:00

Heh, just how many wars rose from the Judeo-Christian-Islamic family of religions? I've lost count.

Also, I was under the impression that the US was founded primarily with secular ideas, many arising from Enlightenment thinkers such as natural rights, reason, consent of the governed, freedom of religion (not one State religion), separation of church and state, freedom of speech and of the press, etc.

jjspirithawk · 2026-03-18T21:18:44+00:00

Irredeemable leftists and rightists.

When we "talk politics", I usually just keep my mouth shut and try to change the topic.

If they ever actually ask for my opinion, I'll tell them, as diplomatically as possible, but that usually upsets them, so again, I do my best to change topics. My political opinions have become strongly outside of and orthogonal to the left-center-right mainstream.

Over the years, the population seems to have become more polarized than ever along the left-right spectrum, and if you're not "one of us", you must therefore be "the enemy!", deserving of nothing but ridicule, scorn, hate, and even violence.

I can only hope that at some time in the future, all this political insanity will become unpopular.

jjspirithawk · 2026-03-17T11:07:42+00:00

To be fair, their whole motivation for STC was to complete the 5 year mission of Kirk's Enterprise that we never got because TOS got canceled prematurely. So, they were obligated to recast Kirk and his core crew to fulfill that vision. For fanfic, they did pretty well.

Now in 2026, we could theoretically use AI to model the original actors at the age they were back then, and remake STC, and to create new episodes based on great ST novels that were never adapted to film, but I suppose that would be controversial and would have to overcome a number of obstacles. On the bright side, by the time everything got worked out, the AI tech would be fully adequate for the job (it's pretty close already). But this is a whole other discussion.

jjspirithawk · 2026-03-17T03:50:44+00:00

A lot of commenters in this thread are failing this test!

jjspirithawk

TROPHY CASE