I'm Thomas from Salt Lake City. I plan on being in Keene late November for a little while and I am interested in the Free State Project and learning more about it. I have been lurking on the forum for about a year, and to be honest, I cant really remember how I stumbled onto it. It might have been through my research about different towns in NH while I was first contemplating the idea about taking a trip through there. I am not planning on moving technically, but if things were to work out in Keene, and I felt confident that the movement had a common goal without distraction from personal agendas and a productive and effective approach, I might stay. To be honest, sometimes, I am not sure about it all, about the effectiveness and personalities, but I think the final evaluation should be made by experience and not my internet interaction. My appearance in Keene this winter is not primarily for activism, but a stop on a backpacking trip through New England that I have been planning and saving up for quite a while now, yet, I am open minded about the possibilities. To be honest, I have to test the waters out first, see what its all about, and determine for myself if I am compatible with it and am willing to devote my time and energy to such endeavors.
I have not done any activism. I am ashamed to say fear has been my primary reason. How will I maintain a job and livelihood if I am in and out of jail (or even once or twice). How will I get a job with a rap sheet if my activism becomes civil disobedience? These are the primary ones. i do understand that there are different level of activism, and perhaps starting out small would be the best bet.
But one thing I am very wary of, is the fact that my personality rejects any sort of cultish or group think. I can be very social (once I am comfortable), but I generally do not drink the Kool-aid, and at the expense of starting off on the wrong foot, not only the "sheeple" drink the kool-aid, but anyone within a group who's personal identity is connected to that group can drink the Koolaid. Its like Groucho Marx said, " I don't care to belong to a club that accepts people like me as members. " But then again, I havent found like-minded free thinkers to associate with, and perhaps, with my visit to Keene, I will.
Thank you for your time, and my participation on these forums will be very limited considering the rules and the fact that I am not involved, as of yet, in the Free State Project nor live in keene.
Welcome!
[quote author=tpfitz link=topic=6632.msg61226#msg61226 date=1344460266]
To be honest, sometimes, I am not sure about it all, about the effectiveness and personalities, but I think the final evaluation should be made by experience and not my internet interaction.
[snip]
To be honest, I have to test the waters out first, see what its all about, and determine for myself if I am compatible with it and am willing to devote my time and energy to such endeavors.
[snip]
But one thing I am very wary of, is the fact that my personality rejects any sort of cultish or group think. I can be very social (once I am comfortable), but I generally do not drink the Kool-aid, and at the expense of starting off on the wrong foot, not only the "sheeple" drink the kool-aid, but anyone within a group who's personal identity is connected to that group can drink the Koolaid. Its like Groucho Marx said, " I don't care to belong to a club that accepts people like me as members. " But then again, I havent found like-minded free thinkers to associate with, and perhaps, with my visit to Keene, I will. [/quote]
Testing the waters is an admirable quality. And the folx in Keene are awesome people. But, should they not be the right fit for you, don't write off the FSP, The Shire, or NH as a direct result.
There are A LOT of liberty activists in New Hampshire, of all personalities and varying ideas on the best way to bring about freedom. A few days in Keene will give you insight into those doing activism there, but will tell you nothing about the activists in Concord, Manchester, Nashua, or the Seacoast, Before writing us off, be sure to take a much broader sampling.
As your date approaches, be sure to check PorcCalendar.com as it will let you know where plenty of liberty oriented social and activism events are taking place all around the state.
-Aahz
[quote author=tpfitz link=topic=6632.msg61226#msg61226 date=1344460266]
I have not done any activism. I am ashamed to say fear has been my primary reason. How will I maintain a job and livelihood if I am in and out of jail (or even once or twice). How will I get a job with a rap sheet if my activism becomes civil disobedience? These are the primary ones. i do understand that there are different level of activism, and perhaps starting out small would be the best bet.
[/quote]
Hi Thomas,
I don't think one has to go to jail to be a member of the FSP. While I have tremendous respect and admiration for those who do, I wouldn't do anything likely to land myself in jail either. I'm close to 40yrs old with a wife and two small children, so I haven't really engaged in any activism in years (and none at all since moving to NH last November). My reasons for moving were simply to live around more people who think as I do, and raise my children in such a place. I was born, grew up, and have lived 39 years in Massachusetts and I was quite simply sick of it. My kids thought we were the only libertarians on earth, I had to assure them that others really do exist. I just needed to escape to a freer place. Having another person who believes in freedom living in NH is a benefit to us all who are already here regardless of how much activism you engage in. My advise would be to test out the waters, visit different parts of the state, and if you think it's for you move here and start building a life for yourself. If you then choose to do some activism that's awesome, if not, you still add to the freedom lovers in our community, which is awesome too. We all make a difference in our own way. I've had long discussions with my neighbors, coworkers, and others since I've been here, I advocate freedom person to person, even if I don't do the civil disobedience thing.
That's my opinion anyway, maybe others will disagree.
Plenty of activism is low-risk. I doubt you'll be jailed for writing a letter to the editor or creating a website or doing outreach for political campaigns.
Welcome in advance to Keene.