Paul Crider's Columns

Finding Value in the Bright Movement

"It is difficult as an anarchist to associate with supporters of the state....Often it seems inexcusable that people actually condone and promote the initiation of violent force. It would be inexcusable if it were that simple. Government, like religion, does not go away as easily as other erroneous beliefs or opinions (few opinions go away without a good fight). Belief in the necessity of government is an intricately evolved, battle-hardened, viral meme that has held humanity in its thrall for ages."  Column by Paul Crider.  

Viral Deindividuation in the Government Meme

"Beyond the nearly perfect distribution (the fewer the eligibility requirements for voting the better) of blame, the democracy strand of the government virus is the most dangerous because of its illusion of power. Paradoxically, although democracy offers the most deindividuation and therefore the least actual self-government, it appears to grant the individual more power than any other variation of the virus. In a sense, the individual does have more power; by voting, he exerts control over all the other citizens. The voter focuses on this and forgets the unpleasant truth that the other citizens are exerting their power over him just the same. Not a simple virus, democracy is a Trojan horse."  Column by new Root Striker Paul Crider.