Many times I come up with an idea of something to make, and often I can't get it out of my mind until I make it or at least give it my best shot. It might be a jacket, a knife, a model, a painting, or something else. I'll plan it all out and figure out exactly what I want before I start making it.
What I end up with is rarely as good as what I originally thought of, but usually, it's still pretty good. Often I've even made certain improvements over my original idea. But some features always end up being slightly beyond my ability or the capabilities of the material I am working in. You don't really know this until you try.
My first idea for the project was somewhat Utopian, and maybe not entirely realistic, but I'm not too disappointed by what I ended up with. It's better than nothing, especially if my original idea got me to push the boundaries of what I thought was possible.
The same is true of liberty.
You might as well plan out what you really want, then start working toward that. No, you'll never get Utopia because that's just not an option. But without that Utopian roadmap, you'll never get anywhere worthwhile. You'll never push the boundaries beyond what other people say is realistic-- which is never quite true anyway. Most people are scared of anything beyond the status quo unless it is based on their own idea.
I'm trying to decide if you chose the word "Utopia" with the conscious intention of triggering the anti-collectivists in your audience ...
ReplyDeleteI understand the need for a well defined product, a clear end-state for your endeavor, and the discipline to manage your project to that end.
I'm certain, however, that collectivists form a similar vision for their Utopian vision and work hard to accomplish that end. And certain features are always beyond their means ... resulting in collateral damage to liberty.
Not faulting your efforts here, just concerned that one ill chosen word can make the fabric of your lesson unravel.
Hans ... in the NC woods
The reason I chose the word "Utopia" is that any time I get into a discussion of what a free society could look like, I get accused of being utopian.
DeleteFrom my perspective, minarchism is the most utopian idea ever. Something which has never worked because it can't work, even though it has been tried many times. Yet, minarchists are the quickest to whip out the "Utopian" accusation when I point out that political government is harmful and can never be limited in a meaningul way. Noticing this reality and acting on it is "Utopian" in their minds.
Utopia-- of any kind-- isn't an option. But I know what "my Utopia" would look like and I'll always work to keep moving in that direction.