Presto shared this with me, and I have been remiss in both thanking him for it and sharing the love.

It used to be that individuals could—nay, did—thrive without the state’s permission. How have we forgotten this? I see the headlines fretting about whether some sixteen-year-old actress’ pregnancy is “legal” and I get nauseated. The USSA seems to become more Orwellian every day.

I’ll put it in small words to make it as clear as possible: The state is an impediment to human flourishing. It is not an enabler, and it is certainly not necessary. It steals, time and money and life, plain and simple.

It isn’t necessarily easy to thrive without a license, but I think it’s well worth trying. I am finally debt free, and am working to diversify and expand my income streams so that I can support myself entirely. I think I’m a ways from that still, but I am making progress. The internet makes it easier than ever before to elude the state’s imperial eyes and greedy fingers. And the best part of it is, the more of us there are doing it, the harder it becomes for the state to catch us. Nice win-win, eh?

Consider this an early solstice gift from me, as we’re getting excited and busy with celebration preps—which means I’m unlikely to be online regularly for a while. Happy Solstice to one and all!