About

Born in rural SE Michigan, I started my adult life in Toledo, OH before migrating to Berkeley, CA. Twenty years on the West coast and then back to flyover country (mid-MO) in 2014. Self employed for the past 15 years. Self-identity relates to the recognition of one’s qualities, generally in how they relate in a social context. To this end, I self-identify as a social liberal, a financial conservative, a profane druid, an agorist, and an Epicurean. Some of these are self-contradictory, however this is due to living in a world not of my construct. • Social liberalism: A view of society stressing the freedom of individuals from cultural norms; the opposite of a cultural conservative. This is belief in the inherent right of each of us to march to the beat of our own drum. • Fiscal conservativism: Simply put, this is the belief that one should not spend more money than they have. • Profane druidism: Druids were a Celtic nature worship cult, while profane means secular not sacred. This contradiction can best be viewed as Aldo Leopold’s Land Ethic in practice. • Agorism: Free-market anarchism with the goal of making all relations between people voluntary exchanges. Methodology includes counter-economics and nonviolent revolution. • Epicureanism: Based upon the teachings of Epicurus who taught that virtuous hedonism is the pathway to happiness. I’ve identified 7 values to guide my day to day actions as I seek to implement these qualities in my life: • Curiosity • Liberalism • Authenticity • Modesty • Optimism • Responsibility • Service