Previously mentioned forthcoming material

An excellent essay Sunni - you raised several points that resonated with me, particularly the problem with systems taking on a life of their own, and hence becoming, as I see it, masters instead of helpful servants and guides. I see this all around me (and, ironically, often in the administration of 'centres of learning' - i.e., universities - where systems = rampant control mechanisms otherwise known as bureaucracies, with only one apparent aim, which is to stifle individual thought in academics and students alike).

Using systems to control people in these ways is the antithesis of individual liberty, and a sign of emotional and social dysfunction (for eg, my own research in business management suggests that an emphasis on controlling others is associated with low self-esteem, which is perhaps the most critical emotional indicator).

Thanks for the essay.

Great essay Sunni!

It sort of resonated with some thoughts that have been going through my own mind recently, rooted in the fact that I only really identify with anarchism and philosophical individualism. I don't really see any value in being a stickler for any type of system, and I appreciate the skepticism you express.

Thanks for your feedback, gents; nice to know I'm not the only loon out here.

The welcome mat on my front porch has two loons on it.

I'm not sure how to present in text that sound a loon makes. Perhaps fnord.

-23-

Thank you fnord for writing this essay. And for pointing me to Shaffer's essay on Anarchy. As with Freeman, they resonate with things I've been thinking about lately.

Funny, Tom! And thanks, H.C., for the thank-you fnord. I didn't need the affirmations all of you have provided on my ramblings, but I appreciate them as ersatz birthday gifts all the same. Warm squeezes to all of you!