For nearly a decade now, I have accepted (with pride) any labels such as "anarchist" or "libertarian" - just about anything that would dissociate myself from the mainstream left, the mainstream right, the mainstream socialists and the mainstream capitalists.

Most people will tell you, "every young rebel has a 'phase' they go through in which they reject authority". However, I think it's safe to say that, as my feelings, passion and heart have not changed in 10 whole years, and as I am now approaching 30 - this is more than a "phase". If anything, my passion for libertarianism only burns brighter and stronger as I age.

Now while some people may insist that with the state of our world today, it's more difficult than ever to be a truly devote libertarian, but I beg to differ. Because of the state of our world today (ethnic, political and religious turmoil), because of the contrasting differences between the left and the right (black and white politics), and because of the know-it-all-ism and political-correctness that saturates the minds of virtually every "open-mind" out there - now is possibly one of the easiest times to be libertarian.

Sometimes just defining that term (libertarian) can seem like a daunting task, but it really couldn't be any simpler. Unlike the left and the right, libertarianism is all about liberty (freedom) - whereas left and right politics is all about talking about freedom, saying you believe in freedom, but really just taking two polar opposites on most issues and rarely (if ever) basing political decision making on the simple question "does this violate liberty?"

For the earlier part of my rebellious youth, I found myself more closely relating to the sentiments of the leftish parties, and while that may still be in many ways, over the past few years I've started to finally make sense of why they are different than what I believe in. In short and sweet, the left really is no different than the right. While the left is usually looking out for what's best for everyone, and the right typically finding solace in man's selfish desires and wants, I really can't say the left is any better because both political ideas suffer from the same drastic flaw: they want to force what they think onto everyone else.

Here's an excellent example of what I mean; and actually the sole inspiration for what motivated me to sit down here and scribble out some of my thoughts on this whole topic of "political correctness":

Today I received a newsletter from change.org discussing some issues people have been discussing and voting on lately. One of the issues immediately caught my eye: "Racist Facebook App". In its petition text, it says:



So here we are now with a petition on change.org - rallying for support to censor Facebook (for whatever the reason may be). First of all, let me make this perfectly clear: I am not a white-supremest, a racist, or in anyway think white skin is better than any other pigmant. While I may not necessarily agree with or even condone what Unilever has done here, I am behind them 100% with their right to do it. It may be a shame that apps like this may convey the ideas that they do, but what is even more of a shame is that 10,000 people out there actually think censorship is the solution. *NO* viewpoint, no matter how obscene, "offensive" or harmful to society should be eligible for censorship: PERIOD. I thought more of us believed in that sort of stuff, but apparently, it's just something we all love to talk about. Let us also not forget that ANY idea, opinion or belief runs the risk of offending someone: PERIOD. It is a frightening day when we've all collaborated on the belief that as long as it offends most of us, or even a lot of us, it's worth censoring.

And that is what separates people like my from those in the mainstream left. The politically correct way of thinking today is: "if you don't like what someone else is doing, saying or thinking - let's rally to take their right to do that away". That is exactly what is going on here, and exactly what I feel is wrong with leftish thinking. These people somehow believe a system of practicing intolerance (by censorship) will someone yield a society in which we are more tolerant - yes, that still baffles me.

As a libertarian I believe we should stop using our voices and numbers to censor and prevent everyone else from doing what we disagree with, but instead use our voices to intellectually debate WHY what others may be doing is intolerant. But of course, it's a whole lot easier just to bully people, companies and groups into submission than actually using our brains to rationalize with them and onlookers of why their ways are wrong.

That really is why I can't say I fit in anymore with folks on the left - because when you get down to it, they are no different than the right. They think they have all the answers, they think they know what's best for everyone, and they will use their numbers and whatever means necessary to ensure they get it (whether that means the law or what have you). Now while they may very well see issues from completely different angles, the bottom line is they both use the same fundamental practices. Worse of all, they both love to talk a lot about freedom while stealing it away from you in the name of "tolerance".

The right loves to legislate selfishness, the left loves to legislate political correctness, and the libertarians say "enough with the fucking legislation already!".

 

http://www.change.org/petitions/view/dear_facebook_please_stop_running_racist_apps

This is probably the biggest thing I have left that I had to do before the stable release of Theia (July 12th, 2010): profile enhancements.

 

So I'll just start like this; what do you have in mind?

 

Please no "like facebook" or "myspace" - I don't use either of them, and I don't want to just clone something. However, if there is something you like about either of these sites, or anywhere else, you're welcome to specifically describe a feature or aspect you are fond of.

 

And how much control would you like to have? Would you like to be able to have full control over the page's CSS? Do you want just a generic menu of some basic colors you can change?

 

Do you think you should be able to position where the various fields/blocks appear on your profile?

 

List anything and everything you think about when I talk about this - I can guarantee you that I will not be including everything, but I will try and get to some of the ideas at least!

 

Much obliged!

First off the obvious: TT has a new theme (Azura).

 

There are also lots of new features, many of the notable ones include:

 

- IM (a button will now appear on everyone's profile - if they are online - allowing you to instantly chat with them) support

- Attachments with private messages

- Vastly improved control panel of buttons

- Additional support for sorting items to choose between ascending or descending mode

- Improved avatar manager (in case you missed the previous update on this)

 

There are also lots and lots of bug fixes, but please do keep reporting them if you think you've stumbled on one!

Screenshot: the highlighted area is what is known as the "control panel" in Theia.

 

I intend on releasing the next build of Theia this coming Monday - a couple weeks later than expected, but hey, it took a lot of fucking time.

 

Anyhow, if you'd like to see some of the new stuff TT will soon support, you're welcome to check out the official Theia demo site, which was recently launched.

 

One of the coolest new feature improvements will be the addition of a *much* spiffier control panel. I will now be able to add new buttons to it with ease, and users like you will also be able to remove buttons from the panel, and re-order them as desired. This is probably my favorite new addition because of how much nicer and personal it will allow the site to feel to you.

 

Countless other modules have also been improved on; some with minor UI improvements, and some with major overhauls. There are also numerous bug fixes (including the phantom IM box, the longest running bug which nullifies a file upload when clicking the "add another image/attachment" button, and a host of others).

 

I can't say for certain when I will have time to perform the TT update. I do know that it will mean temporarily shutting off the site since there are literally hundreds of new CSS classes introduced which will need to be styled on the existing themes (this will probably also mean one theme will be available initially and the others will eventually be updated as time permits).

 

For any of you who are confused about all of this: Theia is a Content Management System (CMS) I've developed for a very long time now; it is the web application that powers TT. It has been written in a way which allows design flexibility and features to be enabled/disabled at will, so it has a variety of applications ranging from personal use (like my blog), company use (like SikoSoft's site), or community use (like TT). It is also completely free (& open source), which means you can download the whole system, modify it, improve it, sell it or whatever floats your boat. Most of us have enough of a social sense that we wouldn't ask for money for giving our favorite food recipe to a friend, so why should giving computer instructions be any different? ;) Closed-source & commercial software is a burden on mankind and one day will be marginalized in favor of sharing & openness... Pssst: pass it on!

On this day, 67 years ago, the Swiss chemist - Albert Hofmann (discoverer of LSD) - took the first ever intentional acid-trip.

 

This day has become known as "bicycle day", due to the fact that his hallucinations started to begin as he biked home from work.

 

An excerpt from his experience has been documented in his book, "LSD: my problem child":

 

quoting "Albert Hofmann":

... Now, little by little I could begin to enjoy the unprecedented colors and plays of shapes that persisted behind my closed eyes. Kaleidoscopic, fantastic images surged in on me, alternating, variegated, opening and then closing themselves in circles and spirals, exploding in colored fountains, rearranging and hybridizing themselves in constant flux. It was particularly remarkable how every acoustic perception, such as the sound of a door handle or a passing automobile, became transformed into optical perceptions. Every sound generated a vividly changing image, with its own consistent form and color.
   
...Exhausted, I then slept, to awake next morning refreshed, with a clear head, though still somewhat tired physically. A sensation of well-being and renewed life flowed through me. Breakfast tasted delicious and gave me extraordinary pleasure. When I later walked out into the garden, in which the sun shone now after a spring rain, everything glistened and sparkled in a fresh light. The world was as if newly created. All my senses vibrated in a condition of highest sensitivity, which persisted for the entire day.

 

Hofmann died two years ago at the ripe old age of 102 - RIP.

 

His discovery, research and passion for his work with discovering the secrets the human mind holds have greatly shaped our current understanding of consciousness and psychosis. In that sense, he will always shine on.

 

-----

 

Albert Hofmann on Wikipedia

 

LSD on Wikipedia

I'm fairly baffled that no one has bothered to point this out yet, but then again - I didn't even catch it the first few times I heard about this law.

 

Los Angeles county has been at war with the hundreds of medical Marijuana dispensaries that have been popping up. It's often said that there are more medical Marijuana dispensaries in LA than there are Starbucks. This influx of "pot shops" has startled many, who see the presence of these shops selling the forbidden herb as something corrosive to their communities.

 

As a matter of comprimise, the LA city council has been trying to please both the residents of the communities that are being "effected" as well as the dispensary operators. Yet, in a desperate attempt to find some middle ground, while drawing up new legislation, no one in any of those meetings seems to remember the basic principles under which America was founded upon.

 

The new laws state that medical Marijuana dispensaries cannot be located within 1000 feet from schools, parks or CHURCHES.

 

Maybe I've been in a social slumber for a decade or two, but when did we all take the time machine back to the days of writing legislation to appease religious sentiments we might not all agree with?

 

After all, doesn't anyone seem to remember the first amendment anymore?

 

quoting "1st amendment":

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

 

If you live in America and don't know the first amendment by heart, stop right now and read it over and over until you can say it word-for-word without fumbling.

 

In my opinion, this is possibly the greatest political theory and practice ever created, and understanding its different meanings should be a must.

 

We (in the west) are supposed to live in societies where you're absolutely free to believe what you want, but at the same time understand that you can't use the law to legislate respect for what you believe. I realized there was something wrong with this law after I had read about again, and it hit me: "why should I care if my medicine offends and disrespects a religion I don't even believe in?" Many of us don't believe in the religion you might believe in, so we - as a whole - should never be obliged be paying respect to your religious sensititivities.

 

After all, that is one of the most basic principles by which America was founded upon. Or, have we all forgotten that already?

 

WAKE UP LOS ANGELES!

 

(For the record, in 1994, the Supreme Court ruled that the first amendment does NOT only refer to the federal government, but government in general! - Board of Education of Kiryas Joel Village School District v. Grumet)