Libertarian Peter Thiel Shocks With Political Island Project

The Winston Review ^ | August 21, 2011 | -TWR-

[AustralianConservative]

Billionaire Peter Thiel shocks again. Details magazine, reports he’s supporting what could be described as “Fantasy Island” or “Lord of the Flies” – revolutionary manmade floating nation-states, only 200 miles off the coast of San Francisco.

It’s a story now receiving both national and international interest. From The Washington Post:

The micro-countries Thiel proposes are diesel-powered, moveable, 2,000-ton structures built on oil rig-like platforms, with space for 270 residents to live.

Thiel believes these islands may be important in “experimenting with new ideas for government,” such as no welfare, no minimum wage, fewer weapons restrictions, and looser building codes.

The venture isn’t surprising from Thiel, a well-known Libertarian who once wanted to use a currency unaffiliated with any nation for Paypal.

[AustralianConservative]

http://thewinstonreview.com/2011/08/21/libertarian-peter-thiel-shocks-with-political-island-project/

[Jonty30]

It should be interesting. I personally think that libertarian societies typically end in enslavement of the weak or mass murder, but that is just me.

[arderkrag]

I think this is a great idea. The idea that government should be an economic safety net got us into the mess we’re in now. Let charity organizations look out for people. Government should NEVER be involved in charity.

[shoff]

Who is John Galt and where is Galt’s gulch?

[Darkwolf377]

The micro-countries Thiel proposes are diesel-powered, moveable, 2,000-ton structures built on oil rig-like platforms, with space for 270 residents to live.

When these fail they can always use them as sets for Waterworld 2: The Beginning.

[TwoSwords]

The heathens have come far. The fall will be just that much higher.

[Quiller]

This isn't a "nation/government" experiment, it is a business.

The rig would need supplies, which would mean transaction with other countries. What does "Thielvania" do when it starts incurring a debt? Needs medical assistance for serious situations?

It would also need protection (of course, PLENTY of countries are willing to depend on the U.S. national interest and sense of noblesse oblige for their protection. To whom would Thielvania turn if it was attacked?

Then rescue, storms -- only 200 miles away from SF? Gee, Olly, why don't you just putt the little thing down to 200 miles from Mexico? Or 200 miles off Somalia? Or 200 miles from Ecuador?

Oh, that's right -- if you start sinking, the lifeline tossed isn't likely to be as well-padded.

[vetvetdoug]

270 people on a rig 200 miles out from the mainland? Self sustainability isn't a big issue with Mr. Thiel, is it? I think Jimmy Jones had the same idea and history knows how that ended.

[tlb]

>>> I personally think that libertarian societies typically end in enslavement of the weak or mass murder, but that is just me.

I’d guess less a libertarian society and more an off-shore tax haven he owns himself.

[NamVet71MP]

There is a certain appeal to chucking it all and leaving the progressive welfare social justice state to those that deserve it. Big John Galt fan. But that really is the cowards way out. If we don't fight back now we never will.

Side note. I really hate the argument that there are too many ill-informed, misinformed, ignorant people now. I'm no historian... but, I'd guess that not even half the population in the 18th century could read. And, only a small handful knew who Plato or Cicero were or understood the arguments in the Federalist Papers. But, somehow they pulled it together. Granted, fighting a government in the 18th century that was 3500 miles away was easier than fighting one that we empowered and surrounds US.

[Jonty30]

It sounds like a great way to make money off a captive audience.

Joey Smallwood, of Newfoundland, did the same thing up until the 70’s. He went so far as to demand the premier ban cars so that everybody had to ride one of his buses.

[freedomfiter2]

Excluding blacks and indians, the literacy rate was above 90%.

[arderkrag]

I really hate the argument that there are too many ill-informed, misinformed, ignorant people now.

Well, there are, and they're the product of government running the educational system for years.

[teeman8r]

in a one world governed society, where does one go for freedom... any expression of independence will surely be met by resistance or retribution; can't have the peasants be too revolting without a massive boot upon their necks.

there will always be those wishing to get away from dependence on tyrants, but true independence doesn't mean depending on others for sustenance out on the ocean.

[bamahead]

Galt's Gulch Island Paradise



Libertarian ping! Click here to get added or here to be removed or post a message here!

[Raycpa]

moveable, 2,000-ton structures built on oil rig-like platforms, with space for 270 residents to live.

Why would I want to live on a small decommissioned cruise ship?

[NamVet71MP]

Thanks for making me look as historic literacy figures. Yikes! So we really do live in an Idiocracy today.

[Cringing Negativism Network]

Galt was outsourced.

He’ll be living for the next three years off #10 cans of freeze dry.

After that - who knows? Don’t think he thought ahead that far. There will still be no jobs, because “free trade” eliminated them.

Wang owns the factory now. It’s in Beijing.

[ken21]

bump de bump.

[freedomfiter2]

I think of the drop in literacy rates every time I see one of those “Public Education, It’s Working” bumper stickers. What are they trying to accomplish?