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Having thus defined our terms, we can begin exploring the necessary prerequisites to building a culture of liberty, and ultimately, a free society. We must start at the same place where each if us began life, the home. Our parents are first to influence our enculturation and socialization. Followed by our siblings, grandparents, cousins, friends, and so forth. Read the rest at EVC.

A free society, where liberty is secure, is necessarily one where you'll find the widespread observance of the voluntary principle (all human relations should happen voluntarily, or not all). Of course, not everyone is required to practice voluntaryism, but enough must so that society remains free, a state of affairs demanded by our psychological needs. Good and well. But how do we obtain a free society? What are the prerequisites? The antecedents? Before we'll have widespread liberty, we must build a culture of liberty. How are cultures built? Everyone knows that we aren't born with a culture. That's a process that occurs over our lifetimes, beginning at birth. Enculturation, socialization, and education are the antecedents for every kind of society we can imagine or observe. When it comes to liberty, it seems best secured through a popular feeling of moral outrage toward its denial. How do we accomplish that? We'll explore what I consider to be a very good answer...

I wrote "Government vs. the State" a year ago, and since then have used it many times in conversation to explain my views. Though it's been helpful, I've realized it's missing some important clarifications and elaborations. I'm here to rectify that. I'll first quote myself, and then make my amendments. Read the rest at EVC.

Altruism is the "the belief in or practice of disinterested and selfless concern for the well-being of others." This seems impossible, especially when we consider what motivates human action. Let me explain using a logical proof. Read the rest at EVC.

Dear Baby Collins, Having just entered life and found myself as your father, you're probably thinking, "Great, who's this schlub?" I know, I know, I'm not all that impressive on first glance, but before you decide to pack your things and leave - which is entirely your right - allow me to make my case. If you are willing to hear it, please proceed. Read the rest at EVC.

In November 2014, LPL sold 434 books across North America and Europe. Here are the top 5: 62 copies,  For a New Liberty  - Murray N. Rothbard 24 copies,  Principles of Economics  - Carl Menger 18 copies,  The Mystery of Banking  - Murray N. Rothbard 16 copies, Our Enemy, the State   - Albert Jay Nock 15 copies, Economic Thought before Adam Smith  - Murray N. Rothbard LPL's all time top 5 bestsellers are: For a New Liberty - Murray N. Rothbard Our Enemy, the State - Albert Jay Nock Principles of Economics - Carl Menger The Mystery of Banking  - Murray N. Rothbard Fascism vs. Capitalism  - Lew Rockwell

So I'm all about the voluntary principle, right? I refrain from using coercion as best I can. I still sin in this regard from time to time, mostly social coercion, but I'm getting better and discovering more tools to keep me on the straight and narrow, as it were. What I thought I'd explore this Thanksgiving is how grateful I am for the opportunity to earn the love and respect of - and to keep association with - my beautiful wife and children. Read the rest at EVC.

Everyone seems to have their own definition of morality. Why is that? If morality is "the proper behavior for a person in society", which I think it is, then why is there such disagreement on what constitutes immoral behavior? Or put another way, what causes people to feel "moral outrage" toward certain behaviors and not toward others, and why do some feel it toward a given behavior while another does not? Why the seemingly subjective nature of moral outrage, but not of morality? Got your shovel? Good. Let's dig! Read the rest at EVC.

A tax cheat on trial for lying on his tax return. A music pirate on trial for illegally downloading music. A pothead on trial for dealing in marijuana. A car thief on trial for boosting cars. A rapist on trial for attacking women. A murderer on trial for killing bums. What do all of these "perps" have in common besides being charged by the state for a crime? Their trials are worthy targets of jury nullification. Yes, even the latter three, and here's why. Read the rest at EVC.

"If the government becomes the lawbreaker, it breeds contempt for law; it invites every man to become a law unto himself; it invites anarchy." "I don't believe in anarchy, because it will ultimately amount to the power of the bully, with weapons." "There is no greater evil than anarchy." "We have only one alternative: either to build a functioning industrial society or see freedom itself disappear in anarchy and tyranny." Such are the kinds of confused things people say about anarchy. Let me explain. Read the rest at EVC.

Class analysis is a useful tool toward the stratification of society in order to understand different perspectives on political or economic conflict. What does voluntaryism have to offer? Let me first review a couple of class analyses, Marxist and Austrian, and then I'll offer a voluntaryist expansion on the latter. Read the rest at EVC.

In October 2014, LPL sold 560 books across North America and Europe. Here are the top 5: 102 copies,  For a New Liberty  - Murray N. Rothbard 32 copies,  Principles of Economics  - Carl Menger 32 copies,  The Mystery of Banking  - Murray N. Rothbard 21 copies, Our Enemy, the State   - Alberty Jay Nock 19 copies,  Economics for Real People  - Gene Callahan LPL's all time top 5 bestsellers are: For a New Liberty - Murray N. Rothbard Our Enemy, the State - Albert Jay Nock Principles of Economics - Carl Menger The Mystery of Banking  - Murray N. Rothbard Fascism vs. Capitalism  - Lew Rockwell

I live in a great age. Despite all the problems in the world, the present era has so much knowledge, wisdom, and wealth from which I can benefit to my heart's content, and benefit I have. At 30 years old, here's what I've gained, and how it's helped me. A quick note, this is not all that I have gained, just that which I value the most. Read the rest at EVC.

"Wrong" is one of these terms that have several meanings. A dictionary lookup tells me that wrong, as an adjective, means, "1) not correct or true, 2) unjust, dishonest, or immoral." Here's a little commentary on that, and then a list of the things I consider wrong. Read the rest at EVC.

Having recently written columns explaining both the philosophy of voluntaryism and the voluntary principle on which its based, I thought it would be fun to take a stab at voluntaryist ethics. We who value morality and doing the right thing have an obligation - self-imposed - to find a philosophy compatible with moral living. Voluntaryism is that philosophy. I will first define my terms, and then follow with an outline. Read the rest at EVC.

I think that many people are confused about what respect is and where it comes from. Some claim that respect is owed by virtue of who they are, say a parent, or of what they've done for someone, such as bought them something or otherwise provided for their material needs. Others claim that respect is owed by virtue of title. And further, when one does what another commands without question, this is called respect. All of these kinds of people and ideas are wrong, and here's why. Read the rest at EVC.

Philosophy is, etymologically, the "love of wisdom". One of the best ways I've read to define wisdom is this saying, "Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit; wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad." In other words, knowledge is what is known, and wisdom is the proper use of that knowledge in relation to one's purposes. The discovery and application of wisdom is the purpose of philosophy. And because wisdom is useful in all sorts of endeavors, there are different types of philosophies. Voluntaryism is a multifaceted philosophy with broad application. Read the rest at EVC.

Many a modern popular commentator and political pundit rail against prejudice. They say that that we shouldn't judge others on the basis of gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, or other such characteristics. They claim that all prejudice is evil. But is it? Read the rest at EVC.

In September 2014, LPL sold 525 books across North America and Europe. Here are the top 5: 103 copies,  For a New Liberty  - Murray N. Rothbard 48 copies,  Principles of Economics  - Carl Menger 33 copies,  Economics for Real People  - Gene Callahan 24 copies,  The Mystery of Banking  - Murray N. Rothbard 20 copies, The Bastiat Collection, Vol. 1  - Frederic Bastiat LPL's all time top 5 bestsellers are: For a New Liberty - Murray N. Rothbard Our Enemy, the State - Albert Jay Nock Principles of Economics - Carl Menger Fascism vs. Capitalism  - Lew Rockwell The Mystery of Banking  - Murray N. Rothbard

The one thing that has really taken my relationship with my children to a more peaceful and prosperous level, is the commitment I've made to giving them what is theirs by virtue of their humanity, the right to do whatever they want, albeit with a few caveats. Let me explain. Read the rest at EVC.

As often as I reference the voluntary principle, the centerpiece of voluntaryism, you'd think I'd have written more on it specifically. Alas, nay, I have not. But I am here now to rectify that injustice to this most glorious of philosophies. First, let us look at a little history, and then, I'll define the voluntary principle and give my perspective in it's meaning, purpose, and application. Read the rest at EVC.

Morality is an idea that can be confusing. To some, morality is whatever their god says it is. To others, morality is what each person decides it is for themselves. And to still others, morality is a tool used by some to force their values onto others. But what if morality isn't any of these things? What if morality means something concrete, something objective? And if it does, what does it have to do with voluntaryism? Read the rest at EVC.

Anarchism is the argument that rulers are illegitimate and immoral. Anarchists are those who oppose some people ruling over others. As a voluntaryist, I am also an anarchist. Some anarchists, however, also oppose hierarchy. Now obviously, if the "archy" that we are talking about is ruler-based, as in a state, then all anarchists are in agreement. But if the "archy" that we are talking about is not ruler-based, such as you find in a business firm in a free market, then all anarchists are not in agreement. I, for one, do not consider corporate hierarchy to be illegitimate or immoral. Here's why. Read the rest at EVC .

In August 2014, LPL sold 504 books across North America and Europe. Here are the top 5: 111 copies,  For a New Liberty  - Murray N. Rothbard 44 copies,  Principles of Economics  - Carl Menger 28 copies,  The Mystery of Banking  - Murray N. Rothbard 22 copies, Economics for Real People  - Gene Callahan 20 copies, The Ethics of Liberty  - Murray N. Rothbard LPL's all time top 5 bestsellers are: For a New Liberty - Murray N. Rothbard Our Enemy, the State - Albert Jay Nock Principles of Economics - Carl Menger Fascism vs. Capitalism  - Lew Rockwell The Mystery of Banking  - Murray N. Rothbard

I've really been focused lately on the question, "What is the point?" as it regards life, and to some extent, eternity. Many have tried to answer that question with varying degrees of appeal, to me personally. Here are my musings on the topic. Read the rest at EVC.

We voluntaryists have a problem. We value liberty and hate the state. We want to see the former grow and the latter abolished. But what can we do? How can we promote liberty? Here are a few answers. Read the rest at EVC.

Property rights, human rights, civil rights, children's rights, animal rights; many are the types of rights defended by people across the globe. What are rights? Do they exist? Are they something tangible, concrete? Or are they merely an abstraction, a useful tool of the mind for use by mankind? Methinks the latter. Read the rest at EVC.

Pacifism is an interesting philosophy. As a voluntaryist, I am pacifistic in many different ways. There is, however, one school of pacifism that I wholeheartedly reject, and consider ignoble, dishonorable, and cowardly. Read the rest at EVC.

In July 2014, LPL sold 526 books across North America and Europe. Here are the top 5: 111 copies, Profit and Loss  - Ludwig von Mises 82 copies,  For a New Liberty  - Murray N. Rothbard 24 copies,  Our Enemy, the State  - Albert Jay Nock 22 copies,  Economics for Real People  - Gene Callahan 18 copies,  Principles of Economics  - Carl Menger LPL's all time top 5 bestsellers are: 1,178 copies, For a New Liberty - Murray N. Rothbard 623 copies, Our Enemy, the State - Albert Jay Nock 490 copies, Principles of Economics - Carl Menger 386 copies,  Fascism vs. Capitalism  - Lew Rockwell 312 copies,  The Mystery of Banking  - Murray N. Rothbard

The profit motive is "an economic concept which posits that the ultimate goal of business is to make money." Many a modern liberal, progressive, communo-anarchist, and the like decry the profit motive as evil and greedy. I disagree. In fact, the profit motive is not only good, it's an inevitable component of human action. Read the rest at EVC.

Many a speaker in church and elsewhere admonish others to make sacrifices of time, energy, and even money for whatever cause they represent. In my experience, they often talk more about what's being sacrificed and less about what's to be gained from the sacrifice. Here are my thoughts on the topic of sacrifice as an action. Read the rest at EVC.

In "The Primal Insight: A Question of Needs", I recommended looking at our evolution as a species in order to determine our biological, physiological, and psychological needs. Another way to approach this is by determining what practices and behaviors create an "evolutionary mismatch" for our species. I want to explore here a few that I am working on overcoming in my life and the lives of my family, starting with the earliest. Read the rest at EVC.

Those who argue that property is merely what you can defend have a point. When it comes down to the reality of things, as versus abstractions, property is merely what you can defend. That defense, however, is not always based on force. It's also based on reason. And more, those who can't use either, such as children, are left with only that property which others assign to them. Let me explain. Read the rest at EVC.

In June 2014, LPL sold 427 books across North America and Europe. Here are the top 5: 100 copies,  For a New Liberty  - Murray N. Rothbard 18 copies,  Our Enemy, the State  - Albert Jay Nock 16 copies,  Economics for Real People  - Gene Callahan 14 copies,  The Mystery of Banking  - Murray N. Rothbard 13 copies,  Principles of Economics  - Carl Menger LPL's all time top 5 bestsellers are: 1,096 copies, For a New Liberty - Murray N. Rothbard 599 copies, Our Enemy, the State - Albert Jay Nock 472 copies, Principles of Economics - Carl Menger 380 copies,  Fascism vs. Capitalism  - Lew Rockwell 297 copies,  The Mystery of Banking  - Murray N. Rothbard

Distinguishing between fault and blame is important to me. How I react to a situation depends on the difference. Here's how I define either and why I react in the way that I do toward them. Read the rest at EVC.

Not only can law be defined in different ways, but the duty we feel to obey law varies with not only the kind of law we are considering, but also from person to person. Here are the types of law as I understand them, and the hierarchy at which the different types command our obedience, and why. Read the rest at EVC .

Chris Cantwell recently argued that "all police are aggressors", and that killing an aggressor isn't murder. Therefore, all police are fair game on ethical grounds to meet the business end of a gun. Similarly, Ben Stone has argued that state-controlled resources, like their buildings, are fair game for destruction, since the state acquired its buildings illegitimately. Here're some reasons why both Cantwell and Stone are wrong. Read the rest at EVC.

The "Check Your Privilege" meme originated in 2006, but was brought before the libertarian community in early 2014 by FEE and Stossel . As interesting as the premise is, that we should be cognizant of the privileges that our race, gender, family wealth, et cetera bring us, I'd rather talk about what I consider of much greater importance, "Check Your Political Privilege". Read the rest at EVC .

While I love a good discussion on the logical construction of property rights theory, and the implications stemming therefrom, in a free society concepts like "property," "aggression," "law," and "justice" will evolve to have different meanings in different areas and among different people in the same area. In other words, pure theory might define concepts one way, but without a central authority prescribing meaning, their practice will likely vary. Read the rest at EVC.

In May 2014, LPL sold 454 books across North America and Europe. Here are the top 5: 82 copies,  For a New Liberty  - Murray N. Rothbard 27 copies,  Our Enemy, the State  - Albert Jay Nock 27 copies,  Principles of Economics  - Carl Menger 17 copies,  The Mystery of Banking  - Murray N. Rothbard 14 copies,  Economics for Real People  - Gene Callahan LPL's all time top 5 bestsellers are: 996 copies, For a New Liberty - Murray N. Rothbard 581 copies, Our Enemy, the State - Albert Jay Nock 459 copies, Principles of Economics - Carl Menger 376 copies,  Fascism vs. Capitalism  - Lew Rockwell 283 copies,  The Mystery of Banking  - Murray N. Rothbard

This (and every) Memorial Day, I would like to reverse its purpose from a day of remembrance for those whose lives were lost while in service to the state, to a day of remembrance for those whose lives the state took, or in other words, those who were honorably and nobly called, the enemies of the state. Read the rest at EVC.

Since I wrote my column on intolerance and voluntaryism, I've been thinking a lot about the beliefs, attitudes, practices, and actions that I tolerate on a day to day basis. That's something that's proven painful to think about, because I seem to tolerate more than I'd really like to. Let me explain. Read the rest at EVC.

While voluntaryism sprung from libertarianism, it has become a philosophy all it's own thanks to Carl Watner's development of the voluntary principle, "that all human relations should happen voluntarily, or not at all." This thickening of voluntaryism brought in such ideas as eschewing the political process, nonviolent resistance, and opposing not only physical coercion, but social coercion also. I think this "thick voluntaryism" is required by the voluntary principle. But what about so-called "thick libertarianism"? Read the rest at EVC.

"Teenage rebellion" is a seemingly natural phase of a young human's life. But is it really? What about political rebellion? Is that also a natural phase of, I guess you could say, the life of society? Let's dissect rebellion, and perhaps that will lead us toward answering these questions. Read the rest at EVC.

In April 2014, LPL sold 499 books across North America and Europe. Here are the top 5: 80 copies,  For a New Liberty  - Murray N. Rothbard 35 copies,  The Mystery of Banking  - Murray N. Rothbard 30 copies,  Principles of Economics  - Carl Menger 30 copies,  Our Enemy, the State  - Albert Jay Nock 19 copies,  Economics for Real People  - Gene Callahan LPL's all time top 5 bestsellers are: 914 copies, For a New Liberty - Murray N. Rothbard 554 copies, Our Enemy, the State - Albert Jay Nock 432 copies, Principles of Economics - Carl Menger 374 copies,  Fascism vs. Capitalism  - Lew Rockwell 266 copies,  The Mystery of Banking  - Murray N. Rothbard

There's a growing trend among libertarians to distance the movement from those whose intolerance of others are based on race, gender, sexuality, religion, et cetera. There seems to be two forks of this trend, 1) those championing "thick libertarianism" and arguing that intolerance is incompatible with the foundational principles of libertarianism, and 2) those calling for a "humanitarian" approach to spreading libertarianism by not focusing on the property rights of the intolerant, rather on how liberty helps us become better people. Here are my thoughts on the trend as they concern voluntaryism. Read the rest at EVC.

Secession can take many different forms and involve different quantities of people, but is secession always compatible with voluntaryism? And more, is secession ever really necessary? I'm skeptical toward an affirmative answer to either question, and here's why. Read the rest at EVC.

In a January 2014 column titled "Down with Conviction!" I argued that if one is committed to the pursuit of truth, conviction should be avoided. At least one question remained, what if logic, observation, and experience overwhelmingly supports the truth of something, is it still necessary to avoid having a conviction of it? I think so, but to understand why, let's invert things. Read the rest at EVC.

It's easy to fall into the mental trap known as "confirmation bias." This trap is sprung when you put more weight on information that is confirming of your bias (a prejudice in favor of or against some thing) and/or less weight on information that is disconfirming, than either deserves. Avoiding conviction, as I wrote about previously, is one way to protect yourself against confirmation bias. Here are two more. Read the rest at EVC.

In March 2014, LPL sold 520 books across North America and Europe. Here are the top 5: 98 copies,  For a New Liberty  - Murray N. Rothbard 27 copies,  Fascism vs. Capitalism  - Lew Rockwell 26 copies,  Our Enemy, the State  - Albert Jay Nock 25 copies,  Principles of Economics  - Carl Menger 24 copies, The Mystery of Banking  - Murray N. Rothbard LPL's all time top 5 bestsellers are: 834 copies, For a New Liberty - Murray N. Rothbard 524 copies, Our Enemy, the State - Albert Jay Nock 402 copies, Principles of Economics - Carl Menger 364 copies,  Fascism vs. Capitalism  - Lew Rockwell 235 copies,  Economics for Real People  - Gene Callahan

Many, if not most, of my fellow Americans would disagree with mine and my wife's latest decision on what to do with our children when they turn 18. Let me first explain what I was thinking and why, and then I'll probably shock you with our new course of action. Read the rest at EVC.

Statists are quick to defend the state on the grounds that it's nothing more than collective decision-making, akin to a group of castaways deciding on the rules for their new home. If that's what the state was, I would not be opposed to statism. In fact, I would be a full-fledged participant. But the truth of the matter is that the state was not born of cooperation, but of conquest, and continues that conquest through the violent enforcement of the doctrine known as "sovereign immunity." Read the rest at EVC.

What is the relationship between voluntaryism, the philosophy based on the voluntary principle, that all human relations should happen voluntarily, or not at all, and religion? Are they ships simply passing one another in the night? Well, that depends on a few things, like the nature of the religion in question, and how that religion is disseminated. Let me explain. Read the rest at EVC.

The following was posted in a Mormon-based Facebook group to spur discussion: according to mormon doctrine (still looking for the scriptural reference, so bear with me, and the following does not depend on this being the case) we are only accountable to the law (of god) that we have "received. that begs the question, what does it mean to "receive" the law? does simply hearing someone say it, like a preacher, qualify? must it be read in scripture? must it be heard over and over and over again, a certain number of times over a certain number of day/years? or, must it be communicated to us explicitly by God himself (or an agent that can objectively show their agency from God)? since I've read non-Mormon scriptures and heard non-Mormon preachers, if anything but the latter, than I must be accountable to disparate laws of god. that seems like an irrational requirement, and simply put, i'm not interested in existing in an irrational world/universe. (or, if our univ...

When you think of Batman, Spiderman, and Green Arrow, think "vigilante". What is that? It's Spanish for "watchman" and rose to use in America in the mid-19th century as "a member of a vigilance committee." Vigilance is "wakefulness, watchfulness". In other words, a vigilante is one who acts as a watchman for those who would disturb the peace and otherwise engage in crime. Here are my thoughts on vigilantism as it relates to voluntaryism. Read the rest at EVC.

If you are not free from violent retribution to associate with whomever you want, in whatever way you want, so long as its mutually agreeable, then your body, your life, is not really yours. Freedom of association, as it is popularly called, if not absolute, amounts to the enslavement of mankind. Read the rest at EVC.

In February 2014, LPL sold 435 books across North America and Europe. Here are the top 5: 77 copies,  For a New Liberty  - Murray N. Rothbard 40 copies,  Fascism vs. Capitalism  - Lew Rockwell 19 copies,  Principles of Economics  - Carl Menger 16 copies,  Economics for Real People  - Gene Callahan 16 copies, The Mystery of Banking  - Murray N. Rothbard LPL's all time top 5 bestsellers are: 736 copies, For a New Liberty - Murray N. Rothbard 498 copies, Our Enemy, the State - Albert Jay Nock 377 copies, Principles of Economics - Carl Menger 237 copies,  Fascism vs. Capitalism  - Lew Rockwell 216 copies,  Economics for Real People  - Gene Callahan

Entitlement is a destructive mentality. It blinds people to the responsibilities that they have to themselves, to their lives and their happiness, which causes laziness and sloth. It makes people believe that the lives and labor of others are theirs by right, as if others live to serve them. If there's one lesson that I could impart to every child in the world, it's this: no one else owes you, and you owe no one else, a damn thing. Read the rest at EVC.

As parents, our primary instinct and first duty is the protection of our children. Because we love them, we feed them when they are hungry, shelter them, clothe them, and otherwise provide for their material needs all in an effort to protect them from what would befall them otherwise. Their needs go beyond the material, however, and so must our protection. Our children need to feel and trust that we as their parents will do everything in our power to protect them until the day that they are able, and just as importantly, desire, to protect themselves. Here're a few things that I, in my limited experience, have found give my children ample protection from the monsters that would hurt them. Read the rest at EVC.

My column from two Mondays ago was entered in the StudentsForLiberty.org short story contest . It begins: Scott surveyed the damage. His front yard was once again flooding around his stop-and-waste valve, which lay six feet beneath the service, at the bottom of a four inch wide service shaft. This isn't the first time his valve failed him. He's replaced it twice now. To get down to it, he'll have to once again dig up several cubic yards of earth. The dread of performing such a nightmarish task, yet again, in mud, was filling him up. He began feeling angry at the circumstances and the prospect of all that laborious work. Read the rest at EVC.

After the aerobics class, her husband would take her to brunch. As they sat waiting for their order, her husband remarked, "I read an article recently by a guy who wanted his daughter to experience amazing sex." Her eyes went wide as she stared into his eyes. His lips curled into a smile. "What do you mean?" she asked. Read the rest at EVC.

In January 2014, LPL sold 602 books across North America and Europe. Here are the top 5: 106 copies, Fascism vs. Capitalism - Lew Rockwell 48 copies,  For a New Liberty  - Murray N. Rothbard 41 copies,  Our Enemy, the State  - Albert Jay Nock 39 copies,  Principles of Economics  - Carl Menger 32 copies, The Mystery of Banking  - Murray N. Rothbard LPL's all time top 5 bestsellers are: 659 copies, For a New Liberty - Murray N. Rothbard 485 copies, Our Enemy, the State - Albert Jay Nock 358 copies, Principles of Economics - Carl Menger 297 copies,  Fascism vs. Capitalism  - Lew Rockwell 200 copies,  Economics for Real People  - Gene Callahan

He stood at the window in the front of his house, looking out. His two children, an 8-year-old boy and a 4-year-old girl, were playing in the front yard, kicking a soccer ball back and forth. "Cielito! You need to kick it to me, not over there!" yelled the girl. "*laughs* I'm sorry! I can't aim my kicks very well, I guess." replied her older brother. The girl ran to the sidewalk to retrieve the ball. She brought it back to her spot, dropped it, lined up, and kicked it as hard as she could toward Cielito. It made it about half-way. "*facepalm* Geez, you can at least get it to me." he griped. "Well I'm only 4 you know," she replied. Read the rest at EVC.

I've been convinced of things in the past, but no longer am. I've held strong opinions and pronounced beliefs that I was absolutely sure of, but no longer do. What does that say about my current convictions? Will they likewise go the way of the dinosaurs? Quite possibly, in which case I reluctantly (and not fully convinced) say, "Down with conviction!" Read the rest at EVC.

It is my understanding that the greatest contribution made by Ludwig von Mises to economic theory is his formulation of the study of human action, or praxeology , and the subsequent discovery of the action axiom . Paraphrased, the action axiom states that people "purposefully utilize means over a period of time in order to achieved desired ends." Those ends, according to Mises, are always of the nature to remove "felt uneasiness." If we act to remove felt uneasiness, then what does that say about the purpose of life, and the inevitability of learning? Read the rest at EVC.

Last year (2013) was a good year for me. My kids got older, their parents got wiser, our family grew by two dogs, we made new friends, my son discovered new digital adventures, my daughter discovered a budding passion for artistic expression, my wife finished one book for publication and is working on another, and I've managed to keep the promise I made to myself to write a new column every week. Read the rest at EVC.

In December 2013, LPL sold 687 books across North America and Europe. Here are the top 5: 191 copies, Fascism vs. Capitalism - Lew Rockwell 37 copies, Bourbon for Breakfast - Jeffrey Tucker 30 copies,  Our Enemy, the State  - Albert Jay Nock 27 copies,  For a New Liberty  - Murray N. Rothbard 25 copies,  Principles of Economics  - Carl Menger LPL's all time top 5 bestsellers are: 611 copies, For a New Liberty - Murray N. Rothbard 444 copies, Our Enemy, the State - Albert Jay Nock 319 copies, Principles of Economics - Carl Menger 191 copies,  Fascism vs. Capitalism  - Lew Rockwell 179 copies,  Economics for Real People  - Gene Callahan