Return-Path: Received: from smtp1.linuxfoundation.org (smtp1.linux-foundation.org [172.17.192.35]) by mail.linuxfoundation.org (Postfix) with ESMTPS id 734C4186D for ; Mon, 21 Sep 2015 00:11:49 +0000 (UTC) X-Greylist: whitelisted by SQLgrey-1.7.6 Received: from mail-wi0-f173.google.com (mail-wi0-f173.google.com [209.85.212.173]) by smtp1.linuxfoundation.org (Postfix) with ESMTPS id B96A719F for ; Mon, 21 Sep 2015 00:11:48 +0000 (UTC) Received: by wiclk2 with SMTP id lk2so124854242wic.0 for ; Sun, 20 Sep 2015 17:11:47 -0700 (PDT) DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed; d=gmail.com; s=20120113; h=mime-version:sender:in-reply-to:references:date:message-id:subject :from:to:content-type; bh=Q/QOiqp9fEafEgmIL40aWfE8+PMoGlI77clAZmyOFvw=; b=ilWva27y9oYmXoIf5FJhmogCNDo3Cd5L8j3ulioN/8P56C3Ulo/Sz83sIPTJ6ZlYCQ guhzoRYLNkOinyoNsDKMOTLp1RBF41gXbRaIOFRndWid+EX/ZLvPbZLDq0qrSs9INWt5 0A5zh2ls6IH87PsBd/J4bKsUu/JSTbnM2ZPNA2SKN4wkNeOUTnx0Y1Yfj1gSqy+a0eD4 2no5JDx6DW+zaaRsE8NxjQtwjGoO5/vc6JGlkF14KmqP8PUtl1YztqgDHY0kKDV7B4hc h3ytlo5ZfdD2bTxsYRMaMTWQsxrq4FcSP+lbDOy9RzjFUVN7QUVPeGN0VHSV3hDljKVm 4qRQ== MIME-Version: 1.0 X-Received: by 10.180.81.228 with SMTP id d4mr10665856wiy.38.1442794307079; Sun, 20 Sep 2015 17:11:47 -0700 (PDT) Sender: dscotese@gmail.com Received: by 10.27.211.132 with HTTP; Sun, 20 Sep 2015 17:11:46 -0700 (PDT) In-Reply-To: References: <55FF3878.4060501@bitcoins.info> Date: Sun, 20 Sep 2015 17:11:46 -0700 X-Google-Sender-Auth: -F6V_Sr94hQPFFEJLElstNYIO2s Message-ID: From: Dave Scotese To: Bitcoin Dev Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary=f46d043bdb0e2854fc052036ba14 X-Spam-Status: No, score=-0.7 required=5.0 tests=BAYES_40,DKIM_SIGNED, DKIM_VALID,FREEMAIL_FROM,HTML_MESSAGE,RCVD_IN_DNSWL_LOW autolearn=ham version=3.3.1 X-Spam-Checker-Version: SpamAssassin 3.3.1 (2010-03-16) on smtp1.linux-foundation.org Subject: Re: [bitcoin-dev] Scaling Bitcoin conference micro-report X-BeenThere: bitcoin-dev@lists.linuxfoundation.org X-Mailman-Version: 2.1.12 Precedence: list List-Id: Bitcoin Development Discussion List-Unsubscribe: , List-Archive: List-Post: List-Help: List-Subscribe: , X-List-Received-Date: Mon, 21 Sep 2015 00:11:49 -0000 --f46d043bdb0e2854fc052036ba14 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 Mike wrote: ... Obama would like to restrict guns, but can't, because they are too popular (in the USA). ... Governments tolerate this sort of abuse [black markets] only because they believe, I think correctly, that Bitcoin can have great benefits for their ordinary voters and for now are willing to let the tech industry experiment. Those two reasons must be recognized for their differences. What does it mean that something is "too popular" if the ultimate goal of government is "great benefits for their ordinary voters"? It means the government assumes that some things are bad for people even though they are popular. Crystal meth and heroin come to mind. This is a natural concern of all decent parents for their children, and the reason that cultures for millennia have had rites of passage, wherein the child takes on the responsibility of determining for him or her self whether or not a popular thing provides great benefits. That responsibility is the birthright of every human being. Why is there an institution that usurps it? How do the people within that institution benefit from being part of it? Some history to study and answer these questions includes: - The origination of public schooling as motivated by Johann Fichte's public letters to his king in response to Prussia's loss to Napolean at Jena. - Franz Oppenheimer's book, The State, tracing the origination of the idea of a state, or group of people who make up and enforce laws. - Carroll Quigley's history book, Tragedy and Hope. - Larken Rose's book, Kicking the Dragon. - The Republic, by Plato, but only once you understand those other books. - If you want a shortcut, John Taylor Gatto did a five-hour interview which is now titled "The Ultimate History Lesson with John Taylor Gatto." It is heavily sourced by its producer in case anyone wants to verify the information he provides. I'm "notplato" for a reason. notplato --f46d043bdb0e2854fc052036ba14 Content-Type: text/html; charset=UTF-8 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Mike wrote:
... Obama would=20 like to restrict guns, but can't, because they are too popular (in the= =20 USA).
... Governments tolerate this sort of abuse [black markets] only because they believe, I think correctly= , that=20 Bitcoin can have great benefits for their ordinary voters and for now=20 are willing to let the tech industry experiment.

Those tw= o reasons must be recognized for their differences.=C2=A0 What does it mean= that something is "too popular" if the ultimate goal of governme= nt is "great benefits for their ordinary voters"?=C2=A0 It means = the government assumes that some things are bad for people even though they= are popular.=C2=A0 Crystal meth and heroin come to mind.=C2=A0 This is a n= atural concern of all decent parents for their children, and the reason tha= t cultures for millennia have had rites of passage, wherein the child takes= on the responsibility of determining for him or her self whether or not a = popular thing provides great benefits.=C2=A0 That responsibility is the bir= thright of every human being. Why is there an institution that usurps it?= =C2=A0 How do the people within that institution benefit from being part of= it?

Some history to study and answer these questions inc= ludes:
  • The origination of public schooling as motivated by Johan= n Fichte's public letters to his king in response to Prussia's loss= to Napolean at Jena.
  • Franz Oppenheimer's book, The State, trac= ing the origination of the idea of a state, or group of people who make up = and enforce laws.
  • Carroll Quigley's history book, Tragedy and H= ope.
  • Larken Rose's book, Kicking the Dragon.
  • The Republ= ic, by Plato, but only once you understand those other books.
  • If yo= u want a shortcut, John Taylor Gatto did a five-hour interview which is now= titled "The Ultimate History Lesson with John Taylor Gatto."=C2= =A0 It is heavily sourced by its producer in case anyone wants to verify th= e information he provides.

I'm "notplato" for= a reason.

notplato


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