Porcfest 2010 at Lancaster, New Hampshire – an annual event put on by the Free State Project – and which I recently had both the pleasure and honor to attend, was quite an enlightening picture of where the Freedom Movement is at, how it has grown, and where it’s going.
To be sure, Porcfest was not a strictly anarchist event. There were Libertarian Party activists, Alex Jones “Infowarrior” –style constitutionalists, gun rights supporters, neo-hippies, and all manner of folks seeking greater freedom from government. I saw a license plate that said, MINIGOV. There were even two New Hampshire “state representatives” present. My overarching sense, however, was that anarchists and zero-government ideas predominated. I began to develop a distinct feeling that minarchism (that is, the philosophy of small government, for the uninitiated) as a prospective solution among freedom-seekers was a dying creed. This should make no one sorry. Within this movement, I don’t think there’s any longer a question that free-market anarchy is winning.
The crowd’s activities were entirely peaceful, and varied: Vendors sold food, tee-shirts, books, jewelry, and even ammunition. Liquor was sold without any government license.
People openly carried firearms. A lesbian couple got married in a non-state sanctioned ceremony. I didn’t personally witness any pot-smoking, but that doesn’t necessarily mean there wasn’t any. Old friends reunited, and new friendships were forged. And a record number of freedom-lovers turned out.
Another observation was the crowd demographic: At least half of those in attendance were on the younger side – mostly under 30. In many cases, there was little distinction in appearance between Porcfest attendees, and the flower-children who were at Woodstock over 40 years ago. The big difference now, however, are the ideas. And as events like Porcfest grow and grow, that will become increasingly important. Witness that the hippie movement of the 1960s withered because of two cardinal flaws: One, that Marxism is good and moral, and capitalism bad and evil. Two, that it was perfectly okay to use those college degrees they earned in order to get elected into the system of government so as to change it from within. Comforting is the thought that such gross misperceptions will not apply this time around. And the energy and enthusiastic, inquisitive nature of these twenty-somethings is encouraging. My experience showed that they were interested in asking real and relevant questions and getting practical answers in return. Just maybe, this generation is learning, and has something meaningful and rational to say.
I was also humbled by having the amazing opportunity to participate in a couple of anarchist roundtable discussions with friends both old and new. Chaired by Marc Stevens of the No-State Project and author of Adventures in Legal-Land, the videotaped sessions included my long-time friend Jim Davies, Pete Eyre of the Motorhome Diaries, Author and hardcore anti-income tax activist Larken Rose, and later – Stephan Molyneaux, author and host of freedomainradio.com. Libertarian luminaries all, being able to discuss and answer questions with these fellows shoulder to shoulder was very exciting and a great honor. Everywhere we went, people competed to videotape us or get to meet with us. If there is such a thing as being a libertarian celebrity, then that was us. I got a further sense that lots of people – an ever increasing number – are reading anarchist material online and getting their heads turned around by it. “Tune in, turn on, drop out (of government)?” It works better now, I think, than it ever did in the sixties.
And the technology, of course, is different. A lot of computer, Internet, and media savvy was in evidence at Porcfest. Far from having to rely only on live speeches, underrground newspapers, and pirate radio stations, we now have through the Computer Revolution a means of communicating with each other and the world such as has never yet been realized in human history. The ramifications of this for the dissolution and collapse of government are staggering. By making ever increasing use of alternative media and its accompanying technology, it is now within the grasp of anarchists to form a significant enough population minority to seriously threaten the continued power of the State. Once the landslide starts, I don’t see much of any lasting effect that can stop it. As Henry David Thoreau said, “When the subject has refused allegiance, and the officer has resigned his office, then the revolution is accomplished.” I am of the opinion that we are, at long last, on that very road.
Finally, I think what an event like Porcfest shows is that, even though there still remain some differences between various wings of the Freedom Movement, they are not nearly as significant as the similarities: A spirit of deep tolerance and mutual respect for individualism. A willingness to learn different viewpoints, yet all concepts predicated upon and within the context of a peaceful, voluntary society. Respect for the life and property of others without interference. And, of course, an utter rejection of the violence and coercive force which is the underpinning of all political governments. As previously stated, I think that the minarchists and patriot groups are more and more themselves beginning to see this.
I think I’ll almost definitely be attending Porcfest 2011, and I hope that if you’re reading this, whoever and wherever you are, that you’ll join me. We at the Center for a Stateless Society wish to be uncompromising in our pursuit of logic, truth, and liberty – things only possible in a tangible and workable sense in a world set free from the barbaric destructiveness and irrational violence of government. We are here to provide as many people as possible with the intellectual and moral tools by which to make the case for free-market anarchism, and thereby radically change the future to one of peace and nearly unlimited bounty. Government, throughout history, has been tried in every conceivable form, and look around you at the results. We can and will achieve liberty. And the sooner you help, the faster we’re going to get there.
Great write-up Alex and awesome to meet you in person. Keep doing what you're doing and let's make the last couple sentences of your post happen!
[…] Read more: We Can and Will Achieve Liberty: A Review of Porcfest 2010 […]
Sorry I missed you! I was kind of busy doing something without a license all weekend.
What’s it going to take to get you to move across the river?
How exactly do you plan on achieving liberty with the worldwide threat of the New World Order barking up your tree and keeping you chased up it?
I do not see how seceding into a so-called "free state" of isolationists who refuse to change the country they seceded OUT OF is going to help anyone at all. In fact, in light of the immense evil of the Illuminati, and their propensity to wield false-flag attacks using weapons of mass destruction upon any obstacle in their path: your plans are only going to get everyone killed. And that is a fact.
This whole thing is majorly deceiving!
I want to see just exactly how a minarchist (or anarchist of any form) "free state" plans on dealing with the rest of the globalist banker elite and the unlimited military power which they own and DEFINITELY WILL use against all of you.
Please, yes, go ahead and "enlighten me"…
@RDH – I think your perception is way off.
First, much of the power of any government or corporate entity comes from people believing that their master will grant them certain things in return for their servitude. Once a person realizes that these promises are not just hollow, but completely nonsensical, those entities lose much of their power.
Second, if these powers are as strong as you seem to think based on your post. Why would any sane and sovereign individual choose to fight them on their own ground and with their own tactics? I'm not speaking about violence, please understand, that terminology is just a useful metaphor.
Obviously Ryan David Hall didn't make it to Porcfest…what a shame…we're sure he would have enjoyed it most thoroughly!
Ryan, first things first, one thing at a time. All in due time. Unite or die. The rest will follow at its appointed time.
Porcfest was excellent. I can't wait for next year.
Pete: Thanks for the compliments, as always — great to meet you too. Hope we can hook up next time, at the very least.
Mike: Thanks for your kind words as well, but I already spent about 20 years, give or take, on the other side of the river. It's a bit more complicated than anything I wrote here, and I was in a bit of a cynical mood at the time, but here 'tis:
http://strike-the-root.com/62/knight/knight7.html
Thanks to all the rest of you for your comments. I wrote this latest C4SS piece by the seat of my pants dead tired, and it seems to have already gone viral. Thanks everyone!
I'm sorry to hear about this festival only after the fact. Where is information online about this yearly event?
@Ryan. Fear of government is more enslaving than the government itself. It doesn't have unlimited powers, it is entirely dependent on popular ideas of the people who live under it.
@B.R. Merrick. Freestateproject.org is the organization that puts it on. Porcfest.com is a domain name that is used to advertise it more directly.
Thank you, anonymous person!
Thanks for the good review, Alex.
One thing you'll notice when talking with FSP participants is their enthusiasm about what's happening here in New Hampshire. There is no way this cannot work.
Just curious: was there use, or even merely much talk, of non-state fiat currency at PorcFest? Y'no, as apart from non-currency trades – actual currency, actually not fiat currency. It seems to me not unimportant, at some point, to a project of free-market anarchy.
Point well taken, Anhtan. I did see a lot of silver rounds (and jewelry) for sale, and there was bartering going on, as well. So, it was certainly an element, and there was of course a lot of awareness.
Re: alternative currency
In addition to silver and gold simply be traded and sold by individuals, there were also two specific attempts at providing an alternative currency. Both were interesting, but under-marketed (as was admitted to me directly by one of the creators) – so they will likely play a bigger role next year.
1) Shire Silver – Ron Helwig's project, which is based on cutting strands of silver and gold wire (as used for jewelry) and containing them in a credit-card size laminated card, with a transparent circle in the middle (so you can see the silver/gold) and a weight measurement printed on the card. It's a commodity-in-hand currency, but with a form factor that fits in a wallet. Very innovative, and designed to be copied and replicated by others. http://shiresilver.com/
2) Pucks/Porcupine Bucks – Created by Daniel Tobas, intended as a festival-specific (temporary) currency, in the form of green paper certificates (with some clever security features) that could be purchased for $1 and either traded to vendors for goods or redeemed for 1/20th oz of silver. (no website)
@Anhtan Kercots. I know that Jack S. has experimented with currencies at his Alt Expo (Alternatives Exposition) during past Porcfests and Liberty Forums.
What I don’t understand is how getting arrested all the time proves anything. All that does is give you a police record, forces you to support the state by paying them and shows the cops that you have a history of causing trouble. You are directing them right towards you purposefully.
Here's the specimen of the Expo Hour (shown is a 1/10th certificate): http://nhunderground.com/forum/index.php?topic=14….
We also had a 1 Hour cert. with a picture of a pizza on it.
We've talked about a revival of the Universal Trade Hour system, developed in Boston, but never launched.
Yeah, we created Expo Hours at AltExpo#3 at PorcFest’08, a printed certificate hours-based money. The certificates, a 1 Hour and a 1/10 Hour version, were designed by a Porc (James) and printed by a Porc (Dan). We recruited 13 merchants that would accept them and we redeemed them on the final day, Sunday. Some still have kept theirs as souvenirs. The Board of Governors (Jack, John and Pat) met at PorcFest and issued resolutions, hired an auditing firm (Carol), retained exchange agents (Dan and Tom). The Expo Cafe accepted them for coffee and snacks and also operated an exchange next to the espresso machine, known as the CIA, or “Central Issuing Authority.” We had some requests to resume the system after PF, but haven’t done it (even though we still have the certificates in the vault (OK, it’s a cheap Staples cash box). See a specimen on NHFree.com (search for Shire Hours)
We’ve also promoted Shire Hours (shirehours.com) extensively, holding workshops in Boston and in Bristol, NH in early ’09, leading to the recruitment of 2/3 of the SH users now on the system. I still think that’s a usable system and we continue to train people on use of that system. There was talk of producing a training video.
"We can and will achieve liberty."
And what is the plan? Nowhere do you mention a plan to bring about liberty. Having a party and speechifying is not a plan.
The plan is agorism. http://agorism.info.
http://FreeMeProject.com has some further thoughts.
Actually, having a party and speechifying *is* part of the plan. Especially when the trade that occurs is agoristic and the ideas being discussed are libertarian.
When will liberty be achieved in C4SS's opinion? Thank you.
Or more specifically a stateless society?
I received 1 st loans when I was 20 and that aided my family a lot. However, I need the short term loan as well.
Love this article, especially the last two paragraphs!!! Makes me want to make things happen.
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