The hottest Liberty Substack posts right now

Banning everything everywhere is becoming a popular trend, with bans ranging from travel during emergencies to gas stoves, books, and even youth tackle football.
History shows that rebels who defy bans are often celebrated, with real-life examples like the Russian Samizdat and fictional heroes like those in Star Wars and The Matrix.
The moral dilemma of banning things to create ‘proper civilization’ clashes with the concept of individual freedom and audacity, leading to questioning the effectiveness and morality of banning practices.

Democracy and liberty are seen to be decaying beneath the scaffolding at Parliament.
Visitors to London are often amazed by the city's grand buildings.
Consider subscribing to The Free Mind for access to full post archives with a 7-day free trial.

Liberalism introduced a new notion of freedom focused on individual interests.
The modern view of freedom implies abdicating all responsibilities and obligations.
The harm principle in liberalism has evolved to regulate various aspects of life in the name of freedom.

Different perspectives in a relationship can lead to growth and understanding.
Organic growth and unexpected success can bring challenges and opportunities.
Unity and individuality can both have profound impacts on society and personal choices.

Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Perception plays a crucial role in how we experience circumstances.
Choosing to ignore external factors can lead to a sense of freedom.
The struggle between our constructed self and natural instincts is a common human dilemma.

Aristotle's notion of eudaimonism may conflict with prevailing liberal views on individual freedom and government neutrality, particularly in terms of promoting a contemplative life as a way to prioritize values.
Isaiah Berlin contrasts negative freedom (freedom from coercion) with positive freedom (freedom for self-realization), warning that history has shown positive freedom can lead to dangerous ideologies and oppression in the name of 'true' selves or entities.
Berlin's call for pluralism as a way to navigate conflicting values highlights the importance of prudence and individual choice, outlining the government's role as safeguarding negative liberty without endorsing specific values, while Aristotle's eudaimonism offers an alternate perspective on balancing values and advocating for a contemplative life as a path to truth and meaning.

Milton Friedman argues that individual freedom in making economic choices leads to greater personal prosperity and liberty. When people decide for themselves, they're more likely to pick what's best for them.
Friedman believes that government should be minimal. The more government tries to take charge, the less efficient it becomes and the less accountable it is to people’s needs.
He emphasizes that local governments work better because they understand the community's needs firsthand. This allows for faster response and better accountability compared to larger governments.