Freedom Documentary by Adam Kokesh Economics: The Free Trade Ideal Part 30 of 56 (Video) Freedom Unchained II, April 2, 2018. 3:51
I consider we can understand Collective, Coercive, Conformist Homo obediens obediens
(the, what, 99% who want to control others or allow others to control them = doubly obedient to Authority—etymology: c.1200, "the practice or virtue of submission to a higher power or authority;")
As Individualist, Voluntaryist, Autonomous Homo sapiens sapiens
(the, what, 1% who wish only to control themselves and not others = doubly Wise, from the Earth, Humans--etymology: PIE *(dh)ghomon-, literally "earthling, earthly being," as opposed to the gods)
Best by framing the Human Condition(ers) and those Homos within it by using the metaphor of Economics as Voluntary/Free Trade as A or THE most accurate way.
Freedom Documentary by Adam Kokesh Economics: The Free Trade Ideal Part 30 of 56 (Video) Freedom Unchained II, April 2, 2018. 3:51
P.47 FREEDOM by Adam Kokesh
CHAPTER 6 I. THE FREE TRADE IDEAL P.47-48
“When you choose to engage with another person, it is because you are pursuing your self-interest by virtue of it being your choice. This is not to say that making choices is always for personal material gain. We often seek the emotional gratification of helping others. When we bring violence, force, or the threat of force into relationships, our potential for harmony is reduced. Cooperation is replaced with conflict, resources are diverted from optimal usage, and squandering of resources is encouraged. In every transaction determined by force, there is a measurable amount of effort wasted. Every relationship tainted by coercion keeps us from realizing our potential in the free trade ideal.
If you buy something from your neighbor, it means you are choosing to give up money because you think your life is better with the thing than with the money. Your neighbor is giving up something for the money, because they think their life is better with the money than with the thing. This fundamental exchange concept of economics is at the very heart of why trade produces wealth. It allows for mutually-beneficial cooperative exchanges. This principle extends to all relations, not just the ones we think of as economic. When two friends share a conversation, they are freely exchanging time, energy, and attention because they each think it benefits them. If either one of them thinks they will be happier alone or speaking to someone else, they are free to end the conversation by peacefully disengaging.
The alternative to the example of a peaceful exchange between neighbors is not as simple as direct theft. What if the government says you can buy that thing from your neighbor, but only if you pay a percentage of the price as tribute? Maybe you were going to buy ten things, but now you can only buy seven. People all over the world accept various sneaky forms of government theft, but no system hides the fact that if you don’t pay the tax or tribute, your transaction is illegal and the government could lock you in a cage or “fine” you (steal from you) for “black market activity.”
In simple examples, it is easy to see the devastating effects of coercion on free trade. Even with these examples, we cannot possibly envision all the implications and ripple effects. Did the trade that didn’t happen mean buying one less bag of groceries? Creation of one less job? One less person who could afford vital medical care?
If governments only stole from us and left us alone, the impact would not be nearly as bad. Governments can steal more when they use our money against us through enforcement and suppression of economic activity. The amount of human effort diverted by wars and police states is painfully obvious. The less obvious tragedy is that governments pervert the minds of so many eager, capable people, and divert them from serving people in the free market to pointing guns at people, enforcing the will of special interests, protecting politicians, and killing each other.
The resources devoted to bureaucracies and their disastrous diversions of energy away from productive ends are staggering. If someone about to do something productive has to stop to ask a bureaucrat for permission, both they and the bureaucrat are kept from producing something of value, while even more energy is diverted to support them while doing nothing productive. This is made possible by the threat behind every regulation: if you don’t do what we say, we will come and take you away. The effect of governments misdirecting resources is enormous. How much happier we will be without violence is incalculable.
A voluntary society represents a free trade ideal in which all interactions are free of force and coercion. In that environment, all relations are voluntary and we choose to engage because we think we will personally benefit. In a voluntary society, the individual person is considered the ultimate means of production. We are happier and more prosperous because all of our interactions with others enrich our lives. Violence, coercion, and conflict are unproductive. Peace, self-ownership, and free trade are essential for any society to reach its potential.
VI. EVERYTHING IS ECONOMICS p.57-58
When the principles of economics are applied only to things that can be valued in numbers, we miss out on their most important lessons. We tend to think of economics as “stuff having to do with money,” but many exchanges of value occur without being counted in numbers at all. Every human interaction can be better understood as an economic exchange. We might think this cheapens interpersonal relations, but it actually elevates them.
Drawing an arbitrary line between what is and isn’t part of the economy limits our understanding of how rich we all are, and keeps us from properly understanding our most important relationships with friends, family, and loved ones. We don’t need paper or numbers in a relationship for there to be a great exchange of value. Even in a simple conversation, we are exchanging our time, energy, ideas, and attention. Every voluntary interaction happens because those involved think it benefits them. All voluntary interactions are economic transactions. Is marriage not a voluntary exchange of our most valuable assets of time, love, and affection?
When we arbitrarily separate what is and isn’t considered economics, we diminish the value of that which we exclude. Pretending these principles don’t apply in some situations encourages irrational behavior based on misunderstandings and inaccurate evaluations. This also creates openings for manipulation. The current system of measuring value that excludes relationships diminishes them and elevates the part of the economy prone to government manipulation. By expanding our concept of the economy, we can see the greater value in life that governments can never touch, and just how insignificant governments really are when it comes to the true sum of the human experience.
The Book "Freedom" by Adam Kokesh Turned Into a Documentary for Easy Viewing (Videos) Freedom Unchained II, March 20, 2018
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FREEDOM by Adam Kokesh (Book) free download
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FREEDOM by Adam Kokesh (Audiobook)
Henry David Thoreau ‘The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it.’ (Article) The Socratic Method,
In this thought-provoking quote, Henry David Thoreau encapsulates the essence of the relationship between life and the material possessions or experiences we desire. At its core, this quote reminds us that every choice we make, be it a purchase, an investment of time, or an endeavor, entails a trade-off. It compels us to reflect on what we are willing to sacrifice, in terms of the moments, energy, and experiences of our existence, in order to obtain the things we desire.Thoreau's quote holds immense significance in today's consumer-driven society, where the pursuit of material possessions often dominates our lifestyles. It serves as a profound reminder that the things we strive for, be it a luxurious car, a grand house, or even a desired career, come at a cost - the irreplaceable moments of our lives.Moreover, this quote implores us to question whether the things we seek are truly worth the price we pay. Is the latest gadget worth the hours spent working overtime and sacrificing time with loved ones? Is the constant pursuit of money worth the moments we miss out on appreciating the simple joys of life? Thoreau encourages us to evaluate the choices we make and consider whether the trade-offs we endure align with our true values and aspirations.
https://www.socratic-method.com/quote-meanings/henry-david-thoreau-the-price-of-anything-is-the-amount-of-life-you-exchange-for-it
Division Of Labour (Article) Wikipedia
The division of labour is the separation of the tasks in any economic system or organization so that participants may specialize (specialisation). Individuals, organizations, and nations are endowed with or acquire specialized capabilities, and either form combinations or trade to take advantage of the capabilities of others in addition to their own. Specialized capabilities may include equipment or natural resources as well as skills.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Division_of_labour
Comparative Advantage (Article) Wikipedia
Comparative advantage in an economic model is the advantage over others in producing a particular good. A good can be produced at a lower relative opportunity cost or autarky price, i.e. at a lower relative marginal cost prior to trade.[1] Comparative advantage describes the economic reality of the work gains from trade for individuals, firms, or nations, which arise from differences in their factor endowments or technological progress.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparative_advantage
Price (Article) Wikipedia
A price is the (usually not negative) quantity of payment or compensation expected, required, or given by one party to another in return for goods or services. In some situations, especially when the product is a service rather than a physical good, the price for the service may be called something else such as "rent" or "tuition".[1] Prices are influenced by production costs, supply of the desired product, and demand for the product. A price may be determined by a monopolist or may be imposed on the firm by market conditions.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Price
Supply And Demand (Article) Wikipedia
In microeconomics, supply and demand is an economic model of price determination in a market. It postulates that, holding all else equal, in a competitive market, the unit price for a particular good or other traded item such as labor or liquid financial assets, will vary until it settles at a point where the quantity demanded will equal the quantity supplied (the market-clearing price), resulting in an economic equilibrium for price and quantity transacted. The concept of supply and demand forms the theoretical basis of modern economics.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supply_and_demand
How to Enrich a Country: Free Trade or Protectionism? The School of Life, March 21, 2017. 8:05
Is Free Trade Worth the Cost? Kite & Key Media Dec 14, 2022. 6:22
If You Love Somebody Set Them Free Sting (Video) PrettyBluePeople, May 18, 2010 4:16
The lyrics to "If You Love Somebody Set Them Free" by Sting on The Dream of the Blue Turtles. This is what Sting said in his lyrics book: "This song was as much as a hymn to my newfound freedom as it was an antidote to the brooding issues of control and surveilance that haunted 'Every Breath You Take.' Perhaps the highest compliment you can pay to a partner is 'I don't own you--you're free.' If you were to try to possess them in the obvious way, you could never appreciate them in the way that really counts. There are too many prisons in the world already" (Sting 99).
The Police - Every Breath You Take (Official Lyric Video) 1983