Iconoclast sez:

I like how my previous comment wasn't accepted, but whatever.

Anyways, though I disagree with the premise of this article, I have to say, if this video was reality, I'd rather hang out with Keynes than aspie Hayak. I ignored the video prior to my comments, but I keep seeing this video and it disgusts me.

I would prefer Martin to attack ideas based on ideas and not based on what some adherents masturbate to in the future, though.

I agree Martin has a point --- I'd just wish my original post was accepted -- but I'd rather it not be seen as a law or an extremely commonplace phenomenon.

Fuck, I get laid less than a dead cat in winter, but even this video disgusts me.

If this is the reason why you don't like libertarianism then I recommend reading about it some more.

If libertarians have had no influence then how do you explain the prominence of market economies? I mean 'libertarian' is just a word that the Americans came up with because 'liberal' in their country referred to the left. The thoughts of Ricardo, Malthus etc. have profoundly influenced the world we live in. Milton Friedman's thoughts created neo-liberalism. etc. etc.

The economics of Keynes on the other hand lead to high taxes and stagflation.

The main problem with libertarianism is that you guys like it a lot but in the end believe that some form of "wisdom-based hierarchy" (those are my words in scare quotes) is necessary in controlling the stupid population.

Hence the attacking it on some valid points that don't attack the idea itself, only on some of the followers.

Reminds me of way back when I was working on third shift at Wal-Mart. I had to work with a co-worker from hell for awhile: lazy, unreliable, incompetent, insolent. But you know what? He got away with murder. Why? His social skills were through the roof: likable (on a surface level), talkative, laid back, funny, and with a confidence and swagger tree growing in his backyard.

Eventually, after I had moved on from Wally World, I found out that his more negative aspects finally caught up with him and he got fired. However, the fact remains that seeing him in action is what ultimately got me to realize I had to get my act together social-wise. Considering how much more happy and satisfied I am now, I'd probably buy the goddamn bastard a beer if I ever saw him again.

Although your characterization of them is somewhat generalized. Here in New York City, we don't really have the Ayn Randian types who scream "statist!" in your face every five minutes, but you do have banker types who cling to that fantasy to justify not only their exploitive economic practices by their very ungentlemanly treatment of women.

Most of them, in my experience, are licentious perverts.

But anyhow, I liked the video. The men aren't intended to represent the actual characters per se - but their respective effects on the economy. Keynes' view is indeed quite sexy in its allure, while Hayek is virtually unknown - even amongst so-called conservatives who should have read The Road to Serfdom at some point in their lives.