Caramel Anarchiato

Summer doesn't mean that liberty has to go on hold!

So, I'm sure if you're reading this you already have plans for the summer pretty set up. And if not, at least  you've already been ambushed repeatedly by opportunities to continue fighting for liberty throughout the summer (IHS seminars, Freedom Fest, PorcFest, SFL Symposium, Webinars to mention a few). But regardless of whether you're doing anything official or not, I hope you're making the fight for liberty part of your summer. I know I'll be catching up on lots of reading and hopefully finding time to post here and on my personal blog. I'll also be slipping the customers at the Ballston Metro Starbucks a "Caramel Anarchiato" every once in awhile. As you've probably noticed, this post has no real point. Just wanted to say "keep fighting the good fight." And if you want to get involved with more liberty-themed fun over the summer don't hesitate to contact other SFL people and ask what they're up to. I know I'll be bugging people whenever I get a free moment. Hope you're all having a great summer so far. Oh and also this:

Not that I'm suggesting you do illegal things...

Thursday Thinker: Sir Antony Fisher

Each Thursday the AUSFL Blog will post a new short summary of an important figure in liberty, focusing on ones applicable to students at AU. For the final installment of the year: Sir Antony Fisher

Bio

Sir Antony Fisher was a true jack of all trades. In his youth he became an RAF fighter pilot during the Battle of Britain, learning first-hand what terrible governments can unleash on the world.  After the war, seeing the pro-socialist path Britain had chosen he became acquainted with F.A. Hayek, and that started him on a path that would lead to his later work. He became an entrepreneur, and then used his accrued wealth to found the Institute for Economic Affairs, one of Britain’s most important think tanks. He helped advise a number of think tanks, and to aid this created the Atlas Economic Research Foundation. And to top it all off he got knighted.

So why should you care?

Simply put, if Palmer is the modern face of the international liberty movement, Fisher was its forefather. Without Antony Fisher the international liberty think tank movement would be years behind, if not non-existent. I’d argue that no single person has done more to advance liberty than him, and many people’s lives would either be much worse or not exist had he not devoted so much time and money to the cause. Here’s hoping that one of you is the next Antony Fisher.

If you read only one thing…

Check out the IEA paper "Waging the War of Ideas" by John Blundell, or check out his profile on the Atlas website (http://atlasnetwork.org/blog/2010/01/founders-story/) for the full story. While you’re there, look at how far it’s come by checking out the directory (http://atlasnetwork.org/global-network-directory/) of think tanks across the world.

Extra Credit

Because I didn’t have a chance to do a profile on him, take a look at the work of Manuel Ayau, whom Fisher would have had great pride for. This article describes him well.

Next week:

Summer, where you’ll hopefully be applying to one of the many conferences and activities posted on the Students For Liberty website!

Sequel to Hayek vs Keynes Rap!

Thought the Hayek vs Keynes rap was awesome? The sequel is going to blow your mind! 

Haven't seen the first one? Fix that! 

 

The "Fight of the Century" delves deeply into the economic theories of Keynes and Hayek. The catchy song explains Hayek’s knowledge-based argument against central planning and cuts Keynesian arguments down with sound and easy-to-understand logic.

After you're done geeking out over this and memorizing the lyrics, remember to share with your friends! Hayek said the second-hand dealers of ideas change public opinion, and boy do we have a long way to go when it comes to changing public opinion against Keynesian ideas and for the ideas of liberty!

PS: listen through the credit roll to hear a shout out out to Malthus & Mises!