PatrickC

This is so interestingly leftfield that I had to comment. Yes I recall a number of moments in my late teens early 20's when I considered taxes as a form of theft. I also remember living and working in Australia in my early 20's and attempting to emigrate there (unsuccessfully). It started me thinking how ridiculous all these borders were, but more importantly how restrictive it was to my (or anyone elses ) personal freedom. For perspective, I'm 44 now

Hi annamoo, I think that's a great start of course. However, my first thoughts is that you are putting a lot of the onus onto your children to let you know when you're acting out. Of course they should be free to express their feelings if you are unconsciously making them fearful, but I'm fairly sure you understand when you are shouting. I have some sympathy mind, I grew up in a similar household, where raised voices and shouting were often the norm. So as adults we can become acclimatised to much of it and therefore assume that others (inc children) won't be so shocked by our outbursts. I think it's probably fine to suggest to your children that they try and help you. But it would probably encourage them more if they saw their own father taking positive steps himself recognise those moments too. Anyway regardless, I'm still impressed by you and your wifes agreement to shun violence.

The trouble with saying healthcare is a human right, is that it attempts to trump the natural rights of those that have to pay for it, more notably, the taxpayer of course. If the only way we get to save a persons life is by threatening and/or carrying out those threats on another, then the contradiction is fairly clear that free healthcare is not a right.

"i definitely felt like she's desperately trying to get me to conform. The change one was tricky for me, I really didn't get this at first. So it's really another way of telling me I shouldn't be stuck in the past? I actually managed to do a mini-IFS session on myself after this and feel I'm starting to understand it better. The fear goes back to when I was yelled at as a child, perhaps even spanked, when I was less than 2 years old. I feel like I had just started crawling but these may not be real memories. And the angry part is protecting that child." Well sadly the spanking does seem to indicate why there may have been an emotional distance between yourself and your mother and I'm sorry to hear about that too. If like you might be suggesting, this article was an unconscious action of your mothers. Rather than trying to stick you in the past, I am tempted to say that she wants you to forget about the past entirely. But hey, I'm no therapist of course, so take my words lightly. Just to let you know how I felt about this article generally. It angered me, because it leaves the poor sufferer experiencing emotions that this article suggests they should 'just get over'. Whilst it's true that self improvement comes with a struggle, it doesn't come from self flagellation and sternly telling ones emotions they do not exist. It comes from taking them seriously and showing them sympathy where it's deserved. You seem to know that already I think, given your interest in IFS. How much my thoughts have to do with your relationship with your mother, I don't know. I do think it's a pivotal moment for you both perhaps (hence some of the fear maybe). But best wishes with that conversation and I hope you get some useful insight.

Hi Meeri, Upon first glance you seemed to counter most of these points rather well. The overall feeling that I got from these bullet points, is that feelings are something to be controlled, ignored or disregarded. The focus seems to be on how the individual is to be blamed for experiencing negative emotions. There is almost no curiosity about an individual’s feelings. For instance in question 9. Give up your resistance to change. Change is good. Changes help you to movefrom point A to point B. Changes develop your life and what goes around you.Follow changes with courage. ‘Follow change and the universe will open doorswhere before were only walls’ Joseph Campbell. On the surface this advice seems reasonable enough. Everyone wants to change right? Especially those with ambition and goals for their future life. But the ever so important ingredient to this point that is missing. Why is this individual resistant to change? By saying 'give up on your resistance' encourages the reader to neglect an important aspect about themselves that probably requires more empathy and less admonishment. This lack of curiosity does seem to be a general theme throughout this questionnaire. "Looking back now, I could have also thought my own answers through better. I felt quite anxious, fearful and angry reading and responding to this article." Well it is your mother that you're writing these responses too of course and it was her that sent you the questionnaire in the first place. If like you say, you rarely discuss your feelings together, then this could be considered as unusual. Did you have any possible conclusions as to why you might have felt fear and anger responding to your mother.

The voting buttons are to the bottom right beneath any post, next to the vote score box. They are between the post text and any signiture the poster may have. I'm assuming they may have limited it to donators for now, if you're unable to see them. That could just be a temporary measure, as they iron out the kinks with the forum perhaps.

Well for those that are from London (or Scotland or anywhere in the UK ofc) who want to meet up.. Just give me a ping on my Skype (my profile for details).. I'll start a thread to get some more interest and arrange a suitable venue.. For those that might prefer a group call, before any meet up, then sure we can do that too.. Personally I've been lucky enough to meet some great philosophers these days, but I'd certainly like to meet some more.

This behaviour amongst some young women is not altogether uncommon. Some men can take on a similar trait in their 30's as well. Setting aside the obvious psychological unmet needs that are at the root core to this, for which my thoughts would be speculative at best. She is in her maternal prime (assuming she's in her 20's). So to a large extent she is using her value to seek out the best outcome for herself (mate wise). This particular method of capitalising on their value is positively encouraged within our culture, both within European and north American cultures. I couldn't count how many early 20's women I met that were quite clear about never getting married, many of which said they never wanted children either. Often these women came from fairly stable family backgrounds where the parents were still married even. Moving onto the next man is often seen (or described even) as a form of female empowerment. So often the unhealthy aspects to this kind of behaviour is left unspoken and so by proxy is encouraged further. I definitely have some sympathy for these women now that I'm older. The panic that can set in around their 30's is quite palpable for many women, when they realise that actually marriage and children are very worthwhile goals towards personal and future happiness. The BS and experiences they learnt in their younger days is relatively small change compared to the rest of their lives. Having said all that, sadly it's clearly a behaviour that is exacerbated by history and trauma. Not an easy conversation to have if you were planning to have one with her.

Ah, sorry James, seems I didn't read your last post to mine properly. That works just fine for me at least.

Yes, I ordered that book recently myself and look forward to reading it. It's his knowledge of 20th century history that I think Stefan will find fascinating, given his own perspective on it. Particularly some of the Soviet defectors he met, like KGB propagandist Yuri Bezmenov. This is a fascinating interview he had with Yuri, way back in 1980 or something. Yuri goes on to warn the US people what the Soviets had really been planning for them all these years and it had little to do with nuclear weapons.

Well it's pure speculation of course. Perhaps Stefs articles weren't of interest to Rockwell and team, who knows, but I'm assuming it was primarily his views on RP, rather than religion. After all, Lew is supposedly a great friend and confidant of RP's. I might add that Stef's archive was never actually removed, it was just hidden, since I recall being able to use the URL (independently) to access 'The Gun in the Room' article, even in 2010.

Not sure whether this interested you guys. http://www.podsnack.com/ They look pretty cool and customisable if you ask me, but then again I have no idea about the backend of course.

Perhaps you can contact the Youtube site Tragedy and Hope. It was only a month ago the host did that last interview with him, so they might have his contact details. Failing that, I notice he has been a regular guest on infowars too. So perhaps their media dept might be able to help. However, I did find a facebook (like) page too. Not sure if it's genuinely his mind, but it might help. Facebook link Tragedy and Hope Mag YouTube link

I know I've been recommending a few folk to interview recently. But this guy has a vast knowledge about collectivism and banking, which I'm quite sure Stefan would find very engaging. Not sure if he is an anarchist or not, but he has been an outspoken critic of both collectivist and banking theories since the 1960's. A very phiolosophical gentlemen as well. Wikipedia link A short introduction to the man A longer but more recent interview he had with the Tragedy and Hope channel on YouTube

This phrase will now be forever etched on my mind for eternity.. oops, I mean a lifetime. []

No you're not. I may not agree with all of Adams approaches, but these pussy tactics by the state, albeit predictable I have zero tolerance for. I wish him well and hope he finds a way to minimise the impact of this recent arrest.

Ok, that's fair enough, nor do I [] I think it generally makes a lot of sense to me, at least for now, but I am curious about the wider debate.

Sorry Kyle, but none of that made sense regarding my earlier question.

Hey Morse you have my sympathy. Processing a whole new paradigm to that which you have been taught, can indeed be a rocky road at times. Personally I think Nathandiehl made the most productive and useful points here. Standing up to poor parenting can be an act of bravery, but it's always worth checking in on yourself before you start to engage.

Hey KyleG, many thanks, I think your interpretations on this topic has been the most helpful ones thus far (at least for me). No offence to the OP or others who have attempted to clear it up. I was curious though, because I'm still processing these ideas, what are the implications for some of the thinking here at FDR or for Stefs thinking even.

Ah, that was not a way I had particular thought of it, but it certainly makes sense. My first thought was, but UPB is a way to test 'moral' theories and since APA are generally considered as morally neutral then what would we be testing? But I presume it has something to do with the 'enforceable' part perhaps.

I found myself a tad confused by this. Which doesn't mean you're wrong of course, could be me perhaps. UPB, tends to relate to the initiation of force (although not exclusively ofc). Which is why rape, theft, fraud, murder make sense as a UPB violation (at least how I understand it). A situation like my hit and run incidence brings up a number of anomalies, which is why I refer to APA in this instance. Does that help at all?

Remind me Mishelle.. Deadheads?.. that was relating to the fans of the Grateful dead? Whom I actually quite liked aesthetically myself. []

Yes this is how I understand it. I don't see virtue as being only associated with our actions with others, they include actions with ourselves. Yes, I'm of the same opinion that most virtues can be universalised, it's just that it's difficult to transalte that to some kind of formula like UPB. That's unless I've misunderstood something perhaps.

Yes that would be correct. As I understand APA it's a means to better undertsand virtue, but that it can often rely on specific abilities, traits, circumstances and primarily an empathic understanding of oneself and those around you.