Awesome chat with Per, economist and senior fellow at the Mises Institute. We went through a few things and somewhere in the latter half of the show I had an epic brain fart.
We got into a discussion about value being objective or subjective and I had a thought that escaped me - maybe not that great but it was that economics doesn't assume people act rationally. Only that they do act to fulfill a perceived need or desire. That doesn't say anything about the morality of the action, but it does help illustrate that the value that person places on the goal of the action is subjective.
After the fact, you can measure the value of transactions (usually in dollars since we mostly use them to trade). And at that point, yes the value is objectively defined-- but only for that case. The next time someone wants to do the same trade, it could be the case that you can get it for the same price, but conditions often change and you'll find that the terms of exchange will be different. Then you must ...
Here's 7 minutes of clips from my interviews that give you a good idea what the show is about. I try to focus on bigger picture ideas rather than what's going on in the news. Looking from a high level at how we can talk to people about liberty, how to navigate in a world of fake news, and what human nature can reveal about why people fall for bad actors and ideas.
Find the full 2-part reflection series (episodes 38 & 39) in my 'Content' section or in posts below!
I had fun with a major update to the IBW outro video.
I've been playing a lot with AI stuff, both the video as well as the music. The original music is from The Roaming Bandits, but AI did a metal cover of it for me that I thought was awesome.
Check it out and find the link to the original here: https://open.spotify.com/track/6AdAYyN8BMX8dWpRgMvQfT?si=39c72e53cb8d4598
Jack and I talk about the state of state education, what's wrong with it and what can be done differently.
Help support Jack's new comic at https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/voluntaryist-suit-saga-ii/x/38177686#/
We look at Just War Theory-- what is it, and does it really matter? Is any war just? And of course we tie it into the Israel conflict-- speaking ill of Israel is not good for our bank accounts but good for the soul
Looking at a right-wing media landscape that is fractured and struggling to grasp defeat from the jaws of victory. Neocons still hold a great deal of influence in the right. Mark and I break it down
Made an attempt to salvage the audio as somehow it was recorded through the camera and not my main microphone. It's a little better. Someday I'll be able to live stream without any hiccups... but I guess not today
Looking at tariffs, the white house response calling Amazon's tariff transparency a "hostile and political act" and then Andrew Schulz' take on that situation. Is Amazon just gouging people?
Trying out a different platform. I was hoping Locals would be good since they're supposed to be the anti-censorship place. But it lacks a lot of features others have. So please follow me there at dropthemaskpod.substack.com where I'll be doing some writing and posting my podcasts and updates
I've been much less active in the podcast world lately, but Mark reached out after some interaction on his videos and wanted to talk, so I did.
I really enjoyed this conversation, and it's not saying much but I'll say it's my best appearance on any show so far.
Mark has a series on "The Myth Of Authority" that I am really enjoying. It touches on the psychology as well as the practicality of a transition to a stateless society. Right in my wheelhouse. He's a very nice guy and has been an anarchist much longer than I have, and he's great at talking about it.
Go follow Mark and watch his stuff!
From Oct. 20, 2025
The cohost and producer of Haman Nature, Tryone the Porcupine Hobo stops in to have some fun with us. We talk whiskey, being a second-generation libertarian, and differences between libertarian views.
This also may be my last "If By Whiskey", at least for a while. I'm taking a break to focus on my new dad life, and Mark will be joined by Jake Day as cohost as the show continues. (Moving to Wednesdays as well, still check it out!)
