This self-promoting atheist sure massaged the backsides of his religiously programmed audience. No, I could not stomach his whole act. "The desire for the unearned"? How easy it is to redefine what is "earned".

At the animal level, a creature takes what it wants and finds. And without having a cognitive understanding of property rights, even animals ferociously defend what they stake out as their territory. That territory is needed to support their survival. Nature is a system of predators and prey, evolved through a constant contest of getting what survival demands. Losers become extinct, or adapt within their niche. Conquerors write the history books, continuing to promote the war meme.

A success at taking is what constitutes "the earned". Humans, once they evolved to a more advanced state of mental faculties and abstract thought --beyond the animal's direct method of forceful appropriation, killing and devouring--developed social contracts of mutual non-aggression, enshrined in bodies of ethical principles upon which thriving and peaceful societies could be built.

Too bad the primitive program of power and predation still pollutes the human operating system , leading to ever escalating mutual destruction, wars, slavery, expropriation and genocide, all directed at one’s own kind. These practices are anchored in fraudulent beliefs in a higher power, from alpha males, tribal chieftains, kings… and gods, thus justifying the use of destructive force against other humans.

These are defective programming, becoming a form of cannibalism draining others’ energy, time, property, and individual freedom, if not outright their flesh and blood. We see this coming to a head in today’s virulent conflict between the haves and have-nots, where the rich are accused of acquiring their wealth wrongfully, thereby justifying the poor in their hatred of the rich and their political maneuverings to redistribute that wealth. What is rightfully “earned” is no longer defined. Everything is up for grabs.

When governments were “instituted” to secure individual rights, the people hired as administrators were not to be rulers, only employees. Gradually that system morphed into the old rulers and ruled formula of tribal societies. People wanted to be taken care of, not pull their own weight, becoming obedient subjects under paternalistic management, pleading historic injustices as excuses to demand special treatment at the expense of people who are generations removed from the original injustices that past cultures regarded as normal conditions of life. Under the euphemistic label of “Progressives”, groups agitate to spread predatory practices into ever more hands, pushing for change that lets them take more than they have earned. Under the comforting label of “Conservative”, other groups aim to preserve their historic practices, resisting change so as to be able to keep their gains.

In sum, the best formula for peaceful, mutually respectful and survival-protecting relationships is “Galt’s Oath”. You know, the one that starts with “I swear by my life, and my love of it… “

FYI, I noticed that Stephan Molyneux is talking about Atlas Shrugged, and defending it, live on YouTube right now.

I did notice that post above got down voted without anyone commenting what wasn’t true.

I listened to this yesterday. It's very good. Thought provoking.

Well said...

First order corollary to the identity axiom: A <> ~A A thing cannot be both itself and its opposite. It does matter. I am choosing a population to receive advertisements for my adventure travel and trekking service. Nigeria or Norway. I look at disposable income as the result of the exercise of IQ. No surprise; I am going with Norway.

Actually, I am a racist elitist.

The key here could be, “implications of IQ disparity.”
Taking an extreme: If the implications are that enraged non-white people are going to collectively march in step to hunt down and exterminate the “white oppressors” (every white man, woman and child) all over the globe, I think it would matter, a lot!

Stefan Molyneux wishes with all his heart that it was racism. But it’s not. It’s statistics. It’s science. It’s culture. It’s reality. And after that, he is labeled a racist by Tew.

Well, in that case, I too am a racist. I place my investments in facts. Fact is, there are significant IQ differences between the races. Ignoring all of the implications of IQ disparity would be an act of evasion.

All that is needed is a self and rational thinking with regard to reality of the self's relationship to reality. E.g., if murdering is OK, then it is OK for others to murder you. Not a very good way of living. Same for rights. If a self has a right to some freedom of action, then others do. If it is right, then violating it for others means they can likewise violate it for you. Not a good way of living. Religions, though most have discovered some good ways of living, want to pack them with methods of gaining control over others. It begins with a rationally, i.e., with respect to the facts of reality, conscious self--a selfish self to discover values and thus chosen actions which are the moral. Those who do not choose are amoral. Those who choose evil have an evil set of values and are immoral. Those who choose rational values are moral. Religion is neither necessary nor sufficient for a rational morality.

I view Molyneax not as an anarchist (i.e., one who is against political rulers and in favor of maximum individual freedom), but a person with theatrical training who plays different roles in order to grow his audience and personal power and wealth. He used to portray himself as an anarchist, but has presented himself as a conservative and rabid Trump supporter for several years now.

I watched the whole thing...a little at a time while trying to get stuff done at the house, (inbetween), before I had to go to work again...seems lately, that's all I do.

I like that saying, I don't remember it, (it's been a while), but it sure seems that's where we were headed before Trump...I worry about post Trump...we might repeat Franklin's response of: If you can keep it.

“The Devil is offering things it had no part in creating much like the politician promising free stuff,”
Sounds like you watched at least part of the video

Ayn Rand did write, “The difference between a welfare state and a totalitarian state is a matter of time.”

Yes. Here is an interesting point, it relates to my unpopular post: Reminder to self. The Devil (in this story of a time of Jesus) is offering things it had no part in creating much like the politician promising free stuff, the government offering grants, special compensations and bailouts with money they took no part in creating.

Putting your post and mine together, I now can state definitively the Rand Did have a sense of this and expressed it throughout her life, her philosophy and her writings, even though she may not have stated it outright. She also did appreciate what the west inherited from the great philosophers of the past.
I was thinking way too deeply on the subject but now I see it.

Thanks again.

For clarification, Stefan Molyneux at about 28 minutes into the Tew video talks about IQ studies showing a vast range of IQ scores between different racial groups. He says emotionally, “This is one of the most difficult facts I’ve ever had to absorb.” After he says, “I would give so much for it to just be racism,” the commentator comments how Stefan Molyneux is a racist.

I love the little boy who keeps wandering in and out. Talk about a family-friendly forum!

Very good! It is a lot like, “Want fish now!!!” as opposed to “I will choose to make a fishing rod now and be able to catch lots of fish later. Then I can trade the fish I don’t eat.”

There’s always the post modernist view that knowledge is meaningless and truth is unknowable. Where power and stories are the only things that truly exist. And you get power by following a narrative. Anyone or thing that doesn’t follow their collective narrative Is to be denied existence. That irrational illiberal ideology is what has somehow been growing, everywhere.

Maybe after the dust settles more people will start reading Ayn Rand and work their way back to respecting individual rights.

The animal like Temptations of the bicameral brain, driven by your baser needs, weaken your free will, takes away your freedom, lessens the need for the mind which destroys you ability to Create Value.

The creation of value gives us a reason to be truly happy, to have pride in accomplishment, reflecting upon the value created both, of yourself and of others (that which makes us human) gives us our sovereignty, independence and mutuality with your fellow man.

That's the difference between being Morally Human and Immorally Humanoid.

Thanks Solver.

Correct

This past year Stefan has said some very interesting things about Christianity. He has implied that without the moral guidance offered by it (read that again carefully) how does one establish their own values? I think this is very astute. It does not say Christianity is required...but relevant. I have come to see things this way. With a lack of values, what do you get? Where do you draw the line. If not from Christianity, better establish them somehow. I tend to agree that you shouldn't chase the neighbor's wife, murder people, etc.

The deep state is clearly targeting his material.