How I Found Freedom in an Unfree World

[moda0306]

I disagree with some of his libertarian political conclusions, but Harry Browne's individual philosophy is almost perfect and amazingly refreshing.

I haven't had a chance to truly enact any of his suggestions yet, but I already feel like a giant weight has been lifted off my shoulders, and I don't have particularly bad relationships or a horrible job... my "traps" aren't even that bad and I feel like the first time I stumbled on the Permanent Portfolio and started digging in to see how much depth of thought there was behind such a simple allocation.

If anyone has some before/after anecdotal evidence that his philosophy works I'd love to hear your stories, as I'm sure other onlookers will as well... and for those who haven't read the book, do it yesterday!  I constantly feel like I'm on the non-libertarian side of arguing on this forum, but I feel like the book spoke to me 98% of the same way as it would speak to Ron Paul.  No need to read a cartoonish novel about a fictional businessman named John Galt and start a revolution from your living room based on a woman's philosophy and fear of future government confiscation... simply live free of the boxes society tries to put you into, and probably make others several times more happy as a result.  Focus on you, first, and the dividends of pleasant, mutually-beneficial, honest social engagement will mean more to others than all the efforts you've taken in the past to fit yourself into a box that others knowingly and unknowingly try to put you in.

Read. It. Now.

[l82start]

that is a glowing recommendation, especially coming from one of the forums more prolific "non libertarian" posters.... i have had a digital copy of the book for a while and haven't gotten around to reading it yet, i think i will push it to the top of my list....
--- thanks---

[moda0306]

I have a lot more respect for libertarianism after reading (most of) this book.  But even where I disagreed with him on whether government works in a given area, it didn't weigh in much to whether we should feel bad avoiding taxes and dealing with people as individuals, and not as groups.

Whether social security works or doesn't work as a safety net or as insurance, 1) don't count too much on it being there, and 2) don't feel bad avoiding paying payroll taxes.

His writing also has a Jeffersonian skepticism of big-business as well.  While he doesn't favor gov't regulations, he is very much in favor of keeping your business very close to your chest... and to avoid being an employer, partner, or employee as much as possible, as you're immediately exposing yourself to a "group trap," where what you put into something has a much more muted affect on what you get out of it.

I love it... and you don't have to agree with him to do the same.  I'd imagine libertarians will feel particularly liberated by this book, though.

[CA PP]

Hi Moda,

I read the book for the second time recently after a ten years interval.  Very good indeed.  You might be interested to listen to HB "rule your world" CDs tapped around 1968.  Very well presented concepts, and pleasant to listen to.

[Lone Wolf]

Really glad you enjoyed it.  It's a fantastic book.

It's striking how naturally qualities like honesty and empathy emerged from his philosophical outlook (which is profoundly, unapologetically individualistic and libertarian.)  While I think that "Atlas Shrugged" is a great book filled with important ideas (particularly its painfully apt depictions of crony capitalism), I'd argue that Rand's "siege mentality" was likely a very painful mental trap.

Even though I discarded many of the specific suggestions that worked for Browne... that's kind of the point.  It's not 1974, I don't like wine or opera, I love having kids, and I'm merely "quite lazy" as opposed to "very lazy".  :)  As long as it's your life you've living, you're doing it right.

[moda0306]

Yes... his suggestions on taxes and regulations were a bit dated, too, though I liked the idea of working for yourself, and avoiding being a partner, employer or employee.  The idea that we should simply ignore the regulations in our industries is a bit scary.

I'm also not about to divorce my wife just to keep absolute independence, but I think I'm going to have her read the book and take significant steps to rearrange our finances (we're only married 1.5 years now, so not TOO hard), responsibilities, and how we choose to interact with each other based on his recommendations.

I think his suggestion on being truly ready to have kids was good (our country really needs much more of that), but I'm not sure how to find the balance of letting them suffer from their own mistakes vs dictating their behavior.  If I had a brat of a kid I'd feel like a dupe just letting him treat others disrespectfully.

[Lone Wolf]

I'm also not about to divorce my wife just to keep absolute independence, but I think I'm going to have her read the book and take significant steps to rearrange our finances (we're only married 1.5 years now, so not TOO hard), responsibilities, and how we choose to interact with each other based on his recommendations.

Tread carefully here, my friend.    What steps did you have in mind?  (My wife and I have, over the years, mind-melded to the point where we have nearly identical views of finance and money, so I didn't have much interest in the suggestions from this section.)

[moda0306]

Well my wife doesn't necessarily want to spend more than I do, but feels since I make more money that I monopolize the financial decisions... she feels a lack of freedom due to that.  Based on history, I think she'd actually feel more favorably than I do towards dividing our finances in a more selective way.  I've always been the one trying to do more efficiently at the expense of our individual liberty.

When my uncle handed me down his nicer car, I recommended to her she sell her unreliable Pontiac and take mine on.  I realize now that I constantly remind her it's "my car" and am not respecting her "sovereignty."  She appreciates the car and likes it, but doesn't really feel it's hers.  There is plenty of evidence that she would feel more comfortable with more segregated property... I think I'll tread in this direction and see what she thinks.

I appreciate the heads-up, though.

[MediumTex]

Many people are simply not ready to take responsibility for their own lives and their own happiness.  They are often much too deeply invested in complicated mental arrangements with other people and institutions to really identify what would actually make them happy ("happiness" being a mental state of well-being).

For example, many people stay in a more or less constant state of agitation about some political issue that they feel strongly about.  If, however, that issue were to magically be resolved completely in their favor tomorrow, they probably wouldn't feel a lot less agitated.  It's often an unhappy realization for people to make that they are not grouchy because of some external stimulus, they are grouchy simply because it has become a habitual way of perceiving the world for them, and we all know that habits can be very hard to change.

Overall, Browne's 1968 audio course is (to me) a more nuanced exploration of the ideas he writes about in "How I Found Freedom in an Unfree World."  The book comes across as a little cold and detached at times, whereas the audio course makes it clear that there can be no basis for empathy with others, mutually profitable exchanges or even a realistic perception of the world around you if you can't first identify what actually makes you happy, as opposed to what others say ought to make you happy.  Once you come to terms with your own happiness, you can then set about trying to understand what makes others happy ("happy" is, of course, a subtle word to fully comphrehend).

IMHO, Browne's overall philosophy leads to deeper connections with others precisely becaue the connections are voluntary and mutually beneficial.  It reminds me of the dating advice that goes something like: "you can never really be ready for an intimate relationship with someone else until you have learned how to be comfortable being alone."  It's counterintuitive, but self-reliance is not just for the purpose of only relying upon yourself, but rather for avoiding the necessity of relying on others.

There is so much embedded in Browne's philosophy that is difficult to articulate.  One fascinating idea he touches on in the audio course is that you can never really understand how unique everyone else's perspective on things is until you understand how unique your own perspective is.  By realizing that each person really does inhabit a unique conceptual space, it creates a framework for being more patient and understanding with people who see things differently.

[MediumTex]

Well my wife doesn't necessarily want to spend more than I do, but feels since I make more money that I monopolize the financial decisions... she feels a lack of freedom due to that.  Based on history, I think she'd actually feel more favorably than I do towards dividing our finances in a more selective way.  I've always been the one trying to do more efficiently at the expense of our individual liberty.

When my uncle handed me down his nicer car, I recommended to her she sell her unreliable Pontiac and take mine on.  I realize now that I constantly remind her it's "my car" and am not respecting her "sovereignty."  She appreciates the car and likes it, but doesn't really feel it's hers.  There is plenty of evidence that she would feel more comfortable with more segregated property... I think I'll tread in this direction and see what she thinks.

I appreciate the heads-up, though.

I didn't find a lot of value in Browne's early marriage advice, but I did find value in the way he lived his life when he did find someone with whom he was compatible.

Simply giving love to someone unconditionally can be a real thrill.  It's sort of like emotional BASE jumping.  It goes without saying that this sort of thing is more satisfying with the right person than with the wrong person (sort of like bungee jumping is more satisfying when the cord doesn't break).

On a somewhat related topic (i.e., things that can be scary), wingsuit flying is another activity that can be pretty exciting:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJ25hoUU ... re=related

[WildAboutHarry]

You might be interested to listen to HB "rule your world" CDs tapped around 1968.  Very well presented concepts, and pleasant to listen to.

I'm about 1/4 of the way through the series.  I know that MediumTex and others have spoken highly of the CDs, but I was skeptical that it was worth a C-Note.  It is.  So far I am very impressed with his analysis and the clarity of his presentation.  He refers to an economics course he offered at one point, I wonder if that was ever recorded?

It is also interesting from a purely nostalgic standpoint in terms of the prices he mentions (motel rooms, restaurant meals, gas).  He refers to getting a vanilla ice cream cone for 10 cents from the drug store.  Being a southern California boy (I think he was living there at that time) I recall going to Thrifty Drug store primarily for the ice cream cones.  And marveling at the tube tester (don't ask).

[Storm]

I downloaded the electronic copy but I still haven't read it yet.  I'll try to move it to the top of the stack of books I am reading.

One thing that concerns me a little bit is the cultural differences and clashes that my wife and I occasionally have.  For example, she is Taiwanese, and family is everything to their culture.  I have been trying to tell her for quite some time that she needs to free herself of the obligation that she must support her aging parents and completely sacrifice her own life in the process.  For example, before we met each other she bought her parents an expensive condo that she continues to pay the mortgage on.  They have practically zero retirement due to poor planning on their part, and live on public assistance, but she feels the need to pay a really expensive mortgage (about $2K a month) just so her parents can live in comfort.  Personally, I don't understand this self-sacrifice for your elders.  I agree we do what we can, but when you can't even live your life because you must work a 70 hour a week job to support your parents in a lifestyle they can't afford, there is something wrong.

Anyway, I like the ideas in this book and need to read it.  I've always been about freeing myself from obligations that are unnecessary.  For example, I pay for a housekeeper to come clean my house because they can do in 2 hours what it would take me half a day to do.  I use that half a day to do whatever I choose, and that frees my life.  I setup my life in such a way that I can maximize my free time and work the minimum amount.  Automating thinks like bill payment, mundane repetitive tasks that eat up your day, etc.

[AdamA]

If anyone has some before/after anecdotal evidence that his philosophy works I'd love to hear your stories.

There is one part in the book where he talks about what you should do when you begin to notice something in your life is bothering you.  His technique for handling something like this was to think about what it would "cost" you to fix it.  Then he says to spend a few minutes imagining yourself paying the price, given a worse case scenario, and then asking yourself it it's worth it.  

I do this a lot, and it has helped me immensely.  There is almost no circumstance where it is not worth paying the price, and it usually involves a lot less effort than I imagined, and certainly a lot less than letting the problem go on unchecked.

I realize this is a little tangential to the heart of the book, but I really liked this idea.  

[MediumTex]

You might be interested to listen to HB "rule your world" CDs tapped around 1968.  Very well presented concepts, and pleasant to listen to.

I'm about 1/4 of the way through the series.  I know that MediumTex and others have spoken highly of the CDs, but I was skeptical that it was worth a C-Note.  It is.  So far I am very impressed with his analysis and the clarity of his presentation.  He refers to an economics course he offered at one point, I wonder if that was ever recorded?

I don't think I would have ever had the respect and admiration for Harry Browne's mind that I have if I hadn't listened to the audio course.

It's really quite impressive.  It's now been four years since I first listened to it, and I continue to listen to it periodically.  He was an outstanding public speaker.  It's interesting to hear the questions from the audience and how they were struggling to fully comprehend what he was telling them.

Unlike what the self-help movement was to later become (which was sort of a refuge for people seeking validation and a huckster magnet), Harry Browne's approach to the people in his seminar was that they were all complete and healthy people who were simply looking for new ideas and ways of looking at things, and he provided LOTS of that.

One thing that was impressive in listening to the course is that it's like he had the whole course in his mind at all times.  He might say something in the fifth session that sounded a bit like it contradicted something that he had said in the third session (which would have occurred two weeks before), and he would stop and reconcile the two ideas.  Very precise.

[KevinW]

I do this a lot, and it has helped me immensely.  There is almost no circumstance where it is not worth paying the price, and it usually involves a lot less effort than I imagined, and certainly a lot less than letting the problem go on unchecked.

Same here.  There's a snowball effect.  As you stamp out nuisances you gain confidence and decisiveness, and get better at anticipating and avoiding distractions.  I have an acquaintance who kept making lunch plans then standing me up or canceling at the last minute. Finally I told him I wasn't interested in making those plans any more.  Awkward, but now I don't have my time wasted every month.  Or my home wifi was flaky, so I spent 20 minutes to identify the most reliable router known to science, and $60 to order it.  Etc. Once you "clear the decks" you find you have quite a bit more time and attention to devote to things that are actually meaningful.

In retrospect I think most people spend at least half their lives weighed down with crap that could all be eliminated in one long weekend of errands, paperwork, and difficult conversations.  That'd be a rough 3 days but imagine your life on the other side!

I've found the "starting from zero" exercise helpful.  It helped me identify a few bills to eliminate completely, and realize that I had lost interest in a couple hobbies, and might as well wind them down.

I've made a point of trying to be candidly honest about my opinions and preferences.  It's true that it ruffles some feathers but prevents huge misunderstandings.  Small price to pay.  Browne had an anecdote, something like lying about liking his landlady's cake and then being caught in an embarrassing web of lies.  I identified with that story.  My upbringing was "if you can't say something nice, don't say anything," but honesty really is the best policy.  And delivering unwelcome news tactfully is a good skill to practice.

[WildAboutHarry]

One thing that was impressive in listening to the course is that it's like he had the whole course in his mind at all times.  He might say something in the fifth session that sounded a bit like it contradicted something that he had said in the third session (which would have occurred two weeks before), and he would stop and reconcile the two ideas.  Very precise.

It is especially impressive given his relative youth (he would have been in his mid 30s at the time).  I really wonder about "Harry Browne, The Early Years."  His website says he graduated from high school and spent only a short time in college.  I wonder what sort of self-study program he put himself on back then.

There is quite a bit of background and texture in the presentations as well.  At one point he is discussing "The Golden Rule" and mentions that his version of the rule ought to be called "The Silver Rule" since silver was more appropriate for individualists, or something of the sort.  I wonder if that was a reference to his (then) preference for silver, or because it was not legal to own gold at that time?

[AdamA]

I wonder what sort of self-study program he put himself on back then.

I think he spent several years in the military, and I heard him say somewhere that he has a lot of time to read...a lot.

[CA PP]

He refers to an economics course he offered at one point, I wonder if that was ever recorded?
[/quote]

I would be interested to get the tapes of the economics course if they re available somewhere. Or perhaps someone can guide me to where I can find them, thanks.

[MediumTex]

He refers to an economics course he offered at one point, I wonder if that was ever recorded?

I would be interested to get the tapes of the economics course if they re available somewhere. Or perhaps someone can guide me to where I can find them, thanks.

I'm pretty sure that nothing survived from that era except the one audio course (and it's probably a miracle that the audio course survived).

[Reub]

I downloaded the electronic copy but I still haven't read it yet.  I'll try to move it to the top of the stack of books I am reading.

One thing that concerns me a little bit is the cultural differences and clashes that my wife and I occasionally have.  For example, she is Taiwanese, and family is everything to their culture.  I have been trying to tell her for quite some time that she needs to free herself of the obligation that she must support her aging parents and completely sacrifice her own life in the process.  For example, before we met each other she bought her parents an expensive condo that she continues to pay the mortgage on.  They have practically zero retirement due to poor planning on their part, and live on public assistance, but she feels the need to pay a really expensive mortgage (about $2K a month) just so her parents can live in comfort.  Personally, I don't understand this self-sacrifice for your elders.  I agree we do what we can, but when you can't even live your life because you must work a 70 hour a week job to support your parents in a lifestyle they can't afford, there is something wrong.

Anyway, I like the ideas in this book and need to read it.  I've always been about freeing myself from obligations that are unnecessary.  For example, I pay for a housekeeper to come clean my house because they can do in 2 hours what it would take me half a day to do.  I use that half a day to do whatever I choose, and that frees my life.  I setup my life in such a way that I can maximize my free time and work the minimum amount.  Automating thinks like bill payment, mundane repetitive tasks that eat up your day, etc.

Storm, she sounds like a wonderful, devoted woman!

[Storm]

I downloaded the electronic copy but I still haven't read it yet.  I'll try to move it to the top of the stack of books I am reading.

One thing that concerns me a little bit is the cultural differences and clashes that my wife and I occasionally have.  For example, she is Taiwanese, and family is everything to their culture.  I have been trying to tell her for quite some time that she needs to free herself of the obligation that she must support her aging parents and completely sacrifice her own life in the process.  For example, before we met each other she bought her parents an expensive condo that she continues to pay the mortgage on.  They have practically zero retirement due to poor planning on their part, and live on public assistance, but she feels the need to pay a really expensive mortgage (about $2K a month) just so her parents can live in comfort.  Personally, I don't understand this self-sacrifice for your elders.  I agree we do what we can, but when you can't even live your life because you must work a 70 hour a week job to support your parents in a lifestyle they can't afford, there is something wrong.

Anyway, I like the ideas in this book and need to read it.  I've always been about freeing myself from obligations that are unnecessary.  For example, I pay for a housekeeper to come clean my house because they can do in 2 hours what it would take me half a day to do.  I use that half a day to do whatever I choose, and that frees my life.  I setup my life in such a way that I can maximize my free time and work the minimum amount.  Automating thinks like bill payment, mundane repetitive tasks that eat up your day, etc.

Storm, she sounds like a wonderful, devoted woman!

Thank you; she definitely is.  But, there is a limit to self-sacrifice and you shouldn't throw your entire life away so that someone else can live theirs.

[AdamA]

Thank you; she definitely is.  But, there is a limit to self-sacrifice and you shouldn't throw your entire life away so that someone else can live theirs.

I'm not sure what HB would say to do in that situation. 

But...I would guess one thing he would say not to do would be to try to convince your wife to change what she's doing.  Then you're becoming a slave to the situation yourself, and you'll probably also alienate her.

Easier said than done when she's working 70 hours a week and giving up $2K a month, though I know.

(Not that it's any of my business).

[MediumTex]

Thank you; she definitely is.  But, there is a limit to self-sacrifice and you shouldn't throw your entire life away so that someone else can live theirs.

I'm not sure what HB would say to do in that situation. 

But...I would guess one thing he would say not to do would be to try to convince your wife to change what she's doing.  Then you're becoming a slave to the situation yourself, and you'll probably also alienate her.

Easier said than done when she's working 70 hours a week and giving up $2K a month, though I know.

(Not that it's any of my business).

Harry Browne once said that freedom is the opportunity to live according to your own morality.

It sounds like she is living according to her values, and in that sense she is experiencing a kind of freedom.

I imagine that she would also tell Storm that he knew her background when he married her, and he should not be surprised to find her living according to the values she grew up with.

[Tortoise]

If anyone has some before/after anecdotal evidence that his philosophy works I'd love to hear your stories

One aspect of HB's philosophy that I am still trying to implement in my own life: Instead of changing yourself in order to better suit your environment and the people you associate with, embrace who you are and choose your environment and the people you associate with to better suit you.

What makes it such a great philosophy is that it accords with reality; people are naturally built for self-actualization, not self-modification. When people place themselves in the right environment with the right people, they thrive with seemingly little effort. When they pick the wrong environment or the wrong people, they struggle. It's as if reality itself is saying, "You picked wrong--try again!"

The greatest success I've had so far along these lines is in choosing my wife. I refused to settle and was very strict in screening for the personality traits I was looking for in a wife: mainly a good attitude and a flexible and giving nature. 50+ years in a marriage is a long time to spend trying to change oneself to avoid arguing with or being criticized by one's wife. Much better to invest some time and energy up-front in choosing her very carefully!

[Storm]

Thank you; she definitely is.  But, there is a limit to self-sacrifice and you shouldn't throw your entire life away so that someone else can live theirs.

I'm not sure what HB would say to do in that situation. 

But...I would guess one thing he would say not to do would be to try to convince your wife to change what she's doing.  Then you're becoming a slave to the situation yourself, and you'll probably also alienate her.

Easier said than done when she's working 70 hours a week and giving up $2K a month, though I know.

(Not that it's any of my business).

Harry Browne once said that freedom is the opportunity to live according to your own morality.

It sounds like she is living according to her values, and in that sense she is experiencing a kind of freedom.

I imagine that she would also tell Storm that he knew her background when he married her, and he should not be surprised to find her living according to the values she grew up with.

Good advice, both of you.  It is appreciated.