Dennis Hackethal’s Blog

My blog about philosophy, coding, and anything else that interests me.

Tweets

An archive of my tweets and retweets through . They may be formatted slightly differently than on Twitter. API access has since gotten prohibitively expensive – I don't know whether or when I'll be able to update this archive.

But in case I will, you can subscribe via RSS – without a Twitter account. Rationale

@misterbrg @GavinNewsom

Can we go from the descriptive to the prescriptive? From the status quo to how things should be? Again, we're in agreement about how things are right now.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@misterbrg @GavinNewsom

You don’t get a personal veto on taxation.

Correct. Again, I agree that that is currently the case.

with a personal veto [...] anytime your “property” is involved

I had just given an example where one shouldn't get a veto, even in a libertarian society.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

We will see re lockdowns. Hopefully not. But the precedent has been set. twitter.com/TheAtlasSociet…

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@misterbrg @GavinNewsom

The reason that is an exception is that defensive force is okay in response to aggressive force.

Do you have any refutations of that, instead of just trying to disparage me? Your attacks have gotten subtler, but not necessarily less mean.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@misterbrg @GavinNewsom

I think you mean “affects” not “effects.”

I don’t think it means liberty means that. Eg if you use your knife (your property) to attempt to harm someone that knife may be removed from you and you don’t get a veto.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

RT @PoorlyAgedStuff:
https://t.co/Gjm1IDBuEJ

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@brbascript

Saul’s lines are the best lines.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

RT @TextSkizzen:
#Praxistipp: „nachfolgend“ ist übrigens doppelt gemoppelt. Formulierungen wie „folgende Mitteilung“ reichen vollkommen aus…

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@misterbrg @GavinNewsom

I don't disagree with what's currently the case. I had already said that I agree that one doesn't currently get a veto. And I'm also saying that one should get a veto.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@misterbrg @GavinNewsom

Yeah, since all three examples presuppose the existence of "public" property, it's no wonder one doesn't get a veto.

What you're describing is what is currently the case. I was describing what should be the case, based on moral principles of freedom and property.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@misterbrg @GavinNewsom

You should make your comments children of each other instead of siblings. Would be much easier to read.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@NickHudsonCT

Fixed that: "Parliament should insist that no legal restriction stays in place unless there is a good moral explanation not only that it is people's obligation to ensure availability of health services, but also that its effectiveness is worth sacrificing freedom over."

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

RT @SwipeWright:
A member of the NZ Parliament, human rights lawyer, and self-proclaimed feminist apologizing for saying "women's rights ar…

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@TextSkizzen

Kann es auch "hofmeisterische" heißen? Also mit i?

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@nalryns @TheHarryPainter @billhabicht @GavinNewsom

As you can see, that question has been asked (and answered) before.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@brbascript

Is that Saul to Jesse?

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

RT @ClimateWarrior7:
All gatherings are against the law.

Do not try to make your own pub.

Do not meet up with friends.

Meeting up is…

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@misterbrg @GavinNewsom

I should be entitled to be consulted on and get a veto on every decision that involves my property, yes. And so should everyone else for their property.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@misterbrg @GavinNewsom

It doesn't indicate that. Somebody can understand how it works and still bemoan the fact that they don't get a say.

Btw, I didn't bemoan that I don't get a say in how the money is spent. I bemoaned the fact that the money is forcefully taken in the first place.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@misterbrg @GavinNewsom

Also, why are you being so condescending and mean? Can I convince you to turn this into a more matter-of-factly, calm conversation?

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@misterbrg @GavinNewsom

U don’t get a veto

That's what I'm saying. Consent implies an opportunity to say "no."

And, while you could move to another city or state, moving to another country is different because you need travel documents. Over which the government has a monopoly.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@HowardSteen4

Please tell me that’s not a Bundesverdienstkreuz.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@GermanAtPompey

"Beamtenlaufbahn" is especially bleak.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@Twitter

Add an integrity attribute to the script tag in embedded tweets so that other sites can't get xss'ed when your script gets hacked?

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@lowell_mister @GavinNewsom

I didn't say it does or doesn't exist. I said it's possible.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@lowell_mister @GavinNewsom

Civilization is possible without taxes.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

Congratulations to everyone involved.

Before launch, I signed up to have my name etched onto a microchip on the rover alongside thousands of others, in writing thinner than a human hair. For now, that's as close as it gets to going to Mars in person. :)

twitter.com/i/events/13602…

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@DKedmey

[...] even ideas that are similar across soups can, in principle, arise.

Correction: they do all the time in separate minds, of course, through faithful meme replication.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@DKedmey

When it comes to people and ideas, there are close to eight billion soups on earth right now that all arose separately :)

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@DKedmey

And technically, different soups can arise independently (and must have if there's RNA-based life elsewhere in the universe), and even ideas that are similar across soups can, in principle, arise.

It'd be a bit like finding tiger genes in another galaxy. Not impossible...

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@DKedmey

Possibly—but according to a colleague at a previous job, one of them would have overtaken by now, with the others most likely being extinct, or at least the entire thing being a single big soup by now.

Either way, once you have a single soup, similar ideas can arise indpndtly.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@billhabicht @GavinNewsom

Check out @PanData19's website for statistics on the futility of lockdown measures.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@billhabicht @GavinNewsom

That's a choice they should be able to make, and do make all the time when it comes to driving, sex and STDs, smoking, drinking, etc.

And it isn't even clear that hundreds of thousands would die. Death rate seems close to regular flu. But it wouldn't change my argument if so.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@billhabicht @GavinNewsom

Letting people manage their own health is a solution, because everyone who prefers to self-isolate is already free to do so, no force needed. And everyone else should be able to go about their business normally, knowing full well they may pay with their health.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@billhabicht @GavinNewsom

Harming people by taking their livelihoods away "for their own benefit" is not an option because one cannot trade one evil for another and make any (moral) progress. That people don't know what's best for them has been used as an excuse to do things to them since time immemorial.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@billhabicht @GavinNewsom

Borrowing from Hans-Hermann Hoppe, right now the government is causing the fire (shutting down businesses) and pretending to be the firefighter rushing to extinguish it (handing out checks with stolen money). It's all very twisted and evil and dishonest.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

It was a great pleasure giving this talk. The recording is now available online, linked below. twitter.com/OxfordPopper/s…

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@TonyGMendoza @AgentCo09259883 @billhabicht @GavinNewsom

Isn't it possible for some people to understand what it is and to have identified problems with it at the same time?

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@Mr_Wills_Stats @billhabicht @GavinNewsom

I don't think you know what reductionism is.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@billhabicht @GavinNewsom

It's okay.

One idea is that government should immediately stop forcing business closures so that people can continue to make a living.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@orsoscrabble @billhabicht @GavinNewsom

$17 for $1? That sounds like a good deal. How does it work?

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

An example of immunization against criticism (Hans Albert): "You questioning the theory is evidence that the theory is true and that you are ignorant."

A woke mind is a trapped mind. twitter.com/mariyaivasilev…

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@DKedmey

Conceivably

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@DKedmey

I don't know that different sense inputs end up at different parts of the mind. Different parts of the brain, definitely. Mind—not sure.

That said, it's definitely possible, albeit unlikely, for similar ideas to arise independently in the soup, for all sorts of reasons.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@engmac18 @al284159 @DragonNexus @gaybunnypup @GavinNewsom

Your money is your property. It is taken from you by force. If you resist, you end up in jail or worse get shot. How is that not stealing?

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@al284159 @engmac18 @DragonNexus @gaybunnypup @GavinNewsom

Bien dicho. Aparte de unas excepciones, los socialistas nunca quieren trasladarse a un país socialista. En cambio, desean hacer su país socialista.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@NJGeneralsUSFL @Yascha_Mounk @SwipeWright

That “power disparity” isn’t that clear cut. Employers often depend on employees. And when employees are in high demand, they can and often do have the upper hand in contractual negotiations.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

In fairness to them, it seems that the article is putting the word “force” in their mouths. No quote of those affected uses the word “force.”

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

They’re choosing to pray and then bemoaning the absence of a service (prayer rooms), labeling that force. If any force is involved it is that of oppressive religious memes not giving them the option not to pray.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

Common equivocation of the word “force.” It’s not like anyone is physically placing them in bus stops and yelling “pray!” with no way out for them. twitter.com/BBCNews/status…

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

RT @diemauerthewall:
Berlin Wall in 1962.
#Berlin #GDR #ColdWar
#berlinermauer #berlinwall #diemauerthewall

Photo: Franz Hubmann https:…

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@engmac18 @gaybunnypup @GavinNewsom

Why should I debate someone this condescending, who ignores my questions but expects me to answer his?

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@bare_kigger @GavinNewsom

I have, but I'd much prefer to have the option to use infrastructure funded with voluntary money.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@engmac18 @gaybunnypup @GavinNewsom

I doubt you understand my position because you keep arguing against things I never argued for. I also never said privatization was the state's fault.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@beer_ninja6 @DustinSkenando @GavinNewsom

The collective does not have needs, only individuals do

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@darkedgex @GavinNewsom

Police won't help defend against aggressive state force because the state has the monopoly on police force.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@engmac18 @gaybunnypup @GavinNewsom

You didn't answer my question.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@Mr_Wills_Stats @billhabicht @GavinNewsom

My background is irrelevant to the issue.
Why are taxes not theft?

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@misterbrg @GavinNewsom

Nobody ever gave you an opportunity to agree to pay for those things. Nor, more importantly, an opportunity to disagree.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@engmac18 @gaybunnypup @GavinNewsom

Also btw many of the things you correctly bemoan are because of the state.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@cybergoethe @czthaday @GavinNewsom

czthaday asked for instances of Newsom using force. I provided two instances.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@engmac18 @gaybunnypup @GavinNewsom

You're arguing against things I never argued.

Can you think of an industry that the state monopolizes?

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@jwatte @Yascha_Mounk @SwipeWright

You may help as much as you like but nobody should be forced to help.

And yes it's okay to defend against those who infringe upon your freedoms. Otherwise leave them alone.

Aggressive force is bad, defensive force is fine.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@DustinSkenando @beer_ninja6 @GavinNewsom

Can't do that without travel documents which the government has a monopoly over and which are financed by tax money.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@cybergoethe @czthaday @GavinNewsom

That's separate. Taxation gets money into the hands of government. And government shut down businesses. Both instances of force.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@loose_fur @czthaday @GavinNewsom

Not wanting to have money stolen from oneself is selfish? And the government taking money against one's will isn't?

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@djrobstep @czthaday @GavinNewsom

Those are different because people agree to pay rent whereas they do not agree to pay taxes. Also a landlord won't put you in a cage if you don't your rent he'll just kick you out.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@jwatte @Yascha_Mounk @SwipeWright

Everyone knows what jobs and opinions are, but I'll grant that freedom is less clear because people equivocate the term. Freedom from want is something quite different than freedom from violence e.g.

Shouldn't "our" job be just that: our job? And to stay out of people's lives?

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@engmac18 @gaybunnypup @GavinNewsom

What don't libertarians understand about it?

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@GavinNewsom

I've said it before and I'll say it again: don't take the money. I know it's tempting, but know that this is blood money.

Earn the money instead. Be mad at Newsom for making it difficult for you to earn money. But do not sell your freedom by taking this stolen money.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

RT @dchackethal:
@GavinNewsom

No, those checks are not from the state of CA, they're from peaceful people from whom you have forcefully ext…

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@gaybunnypup @GavinNewsom

Why what's dumb about it?

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@GabrielTapiaCu1 @iam_thesonofman @GavinNewsom

Right. You asked "Then how did we build the fucking roads dumbass." I just answered the question. No reason to insult me.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@billhabicht @GavinNewsom

You don't know anything about me. And even if true, how does that make theft okay?

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@czthaday @GavinNewsom

And what about all the businesses he forcefully shut down because of the virus? You don't recall any force?

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

I got a new Twitter badge :) twitter.com/gaybunnypup/st…

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@VVRabbi @itaisher @Yascha_Mounk @SwipeWright

This is exactly the kind of thinking I was warning about. And just because something is done all the time doesn't mean it's right.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@GabrielTapiaCu1 @iam_thesonofman @GavinNewsom

The government builds the roads with the stolen money.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@czthaday @GavinNewsom

What do you think happens to you when you don’t want to pay your taxes?

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@GavinNewsom

No, those checks are not from the state of CA, they're from peaceful people from whom you have forcefully extracted the money.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@itaisher @Yascha_Mounk @SwipeWright

"people should not be fired" sounds more prohibitive to me than "employers should not fire" but maybe you're right. Yascha could settle this one easily, of course.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@Demosthenes9 @Yascha_Mounk @SwipeWright

Right. And those kinds of thoughts usually lead to some third party (the government) stepping in and telling peaceful people what they can and cannot do. And then forcefully extracting money from them "in return." Which all goes against freedom Yascha says he wants.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@Demosthenes9 @Yascha_Mounk @SwipeWright

Yascha suggested people "not be fired from their jobs for having dumb opinions unless those dumb opinions directly interfere with their ability to do their job."

Dunno what he's trying.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@Yascha_Mounk @SwipeWright

Agree with the sentiment, but in a free society, employers are free to make any agreement with employees they like, which includes firing practices of both their choice.

What you're suggesting would prevent employers from making arbitrary contracts with employees. != freedom

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@jh3yy @CodePen

I see a bunch of initial values, but where do you increase them?

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@nomadcapitalist

Are there countries that aren't part of the West that do not tax people?

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

The things people come up with! worldbuilding.stackexchange.com/questions/1961…

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@TutulDevs @SimonHoiberg

Some feedback: my eyes squinted and I felt a slight headache immediately upon trying to read that slightly lopsided text.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@mariyaivasileva

So... when a woman decides she’d rather work in, say, a leasing office than become a software engineer, that’s because of systematic oppression? Am I understanding you correctly?

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

RT @chillywillers:
https://t.co/oTnCOE2LRY

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

For example, many consider the fact that software engineering has less than 50% women evidence that software engineering is somehow biased against them, when in reality, it could be any number of reasons that have nothing to do with "oppression" but just interests, say.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

Also, wokesters mistakenly think that phenomena that aren't based on chance, such as sex distribution in a given category of job, would have the same outcome as chance in a "fair" world, and then demand (forced) equal distribution. twitter.com/pmddomingos/st…

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

RT @pmddomingos:
If you flip a coin six times and get four heads, that doesn't mean the coin is biased against tails. But the AI ethics cro…

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

@dvassallo @B_Vanderhaegen

^ The screenshot contains an example of the quest for certainty in business, presumably resulting from bad epistemology.

@dchackethal · · Show · Open on Twitter

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