Jaded Activist and Talk Host Mark Edge Called Out on Misinformation During Porcfest 2019 Speech

Originally published at: https://freekeene.com/2019/08/10/jaded-activist-and-talk-host-mark-edge-called-out-on-misinformation-during-porcfest-2019-speech/

Mark Edge's Speech at Porcfest 2019Free Talk Live host Mark Edge delivered a speech he called, “What is Freedom?” at the Porcupine Freedom Festival this year. Sadly, in recent years, Mark has become a jaded activist and has looked heavily at moving to some “special economic zone” project or another, or perhaps Seasteading. This was part of the focus of his speech, but luckily his negativity was trounced by facts presented by Free State Project founder Jason Sorens.

As he’s explained many times on Free Talk Live, Mark is disappointed with his confused perception of the activism happening in New Hampshire – he doesn’t believe many people are doing any, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary that he’s not willing to even investigate for himself. All of the amazing political success stories or other outreach successes are not persuasive to him. Government is slow to change, and Mark is soon to turn 50 and worries his time is running out, so why bother trying to change the system when he now believes he can just bribe a government to leave him alone? That’s the plan with the “special economic zone” concepts – pay off a government for more freedom. If you think that will work, I have a bridge to sell you.

Anyway, after his speech, Free State Project founder Jason Sorens called Mark out and corrected his various misinformation. The fact is, the New Hampshire freedom migration is a tremendous, unprecedented success. The activism happening here is varied and ongoing and the more libertarians move here, the better. Mark seems ready to give up, when technically we’ve barely just gotten started. The Free State Project’s official five-year move window began in 2016 and doesn’t end until 2021.

Mark has pointed out his frustration over the FSP’s slogan, “Liberty in Our Lifetime” given that many in the FSP have died in the last 15 years. I’ve tried to explain to him that it’s just a slogan. The odds we’ll end the coercive state in our lifetime are quite slim, however there’s no better place to give it our best shot than here in the Shire.

That’s not to say Seasteading or a special economic zone is a bad idea – I wish those projects much success and if they ever get anywhere, I’ll seriously consider a move there. Meanwhile, New Hampshire has more libertarians, voluntarists, and liberty-loving anarchists in the same geographic area than anywhere else on the planet. More are moving in every month. Plus, the natives here are naturally more freedom-friendly than places like New York. Yes, progress toward freedom can be frustratingly slow, but no one said this would be an overnight success or a cakewalk.

You can see Mark’s full speech plus the question-and-answer here:

1 Like

young people these days … I have been 50 for months now :slight_smile:
It is frustrating that the system has resisted almost all change for the better.
I like all of these ideas like islands, boats, special zones etc. These seem to all be similar to the get 1 state better idea. If we have choices, things could get better.
Last night I was verbally abused by the typical old guy “America love it or leave it” person. Sometimes I despair of any of the old folks ever changing. They live off the socialist state that steals from the rest of us. ack!!!
But I agree with Ian that we should press on. If some of our brothers want to join another project … good luck to them.