Just in case anyone is interested, due to some recent, um, “interest” from the mainstream media about Freedomain Radio, I have had to become proactive in dealing with the abuses coming out of Koen Swinkel’s anti-FDR site “Liberating Minds.”
I have posted a short history, along with some sample quotes of what goes on over there.
(Please note that the language I have culled from this site is pretty harsh.)
You mean you will feel more comfortable advertising here again?
I don’t really care what you believe in, or what amount of controversy surrounds you or your site.
I just know that your incessant advertising ends up bringing that drama here, and it does nothing to serve the Mises community. All of it seems geared towards serving your ego or material ends.
So Stefan ‘reveals’ my real name, quotes from a private e-mail I sent to him, lies about the interactions on the FDR boards that led to my banning (after that I did indeed create two false accounts though did not pick fights), quotes from the ‘rant and vent’ section in which the entire purpose is to come up with completely over-the-top insults (though other quotes are from other sections), quotes somebody (a complete newcomer) who on LM threatened legal action against Stef while leaving out the responses of everybody else who en masse denounced that idea.
Mr. Molynuex, while I understand you want to clear your site’s name. My bigger concern is that you called and disparaged leading Libertarian figures such as Ron Paul, Roderick T. Long, and even Ludwig Von Mises in a very childish and unprofessional manner. While I understand that this may be your fervor for the cause, I think you should explain and even perhaps apologise for your behavior.
Stefan, I don’t understand… If Liberating Minds is really just a bunch of hateful anti-Semitic ranting (I’m an Israeli; they haven’t made me feel uncomfortable or unwelcome) and over-the-top lying about Freedomain Radio, why would this be a necessary action on your part? I mean, it’s not like you would have any reason to say anything about this bombastic account. From first hand experience, I can attest that while some of what’s said on the Liberating Minds forum is overly biased, petty, and even vengeful, there’s also a lot of genuine concern over there for some of the things that go on within your community and the people who are affected by them. I find it sort of worrisome that your response to Liberating Minds is to attempt to discredit them as individuals, rather than to provide a go-to explanation of why their concern is unwarranted. As someone who’s been sort of blindsided by this whole controversy, something like that would be really useful.
But posting an obvious smear job on your website immediately comes off as overly defensive and desperate. As a Jew myself (not in the religious sense, but in the ethnic sense), I can say that I found some of the “humor” in the threads you cited to be tasteless and a bit off-putting. I’m not sure what the background was on the conversations, but it’s certainly worth pointing out that throwing around some of those words can be alienating and hurtful. But on the other hand, it’s worth noting that Liberating Minds is not the only libertarian community where that sort of thing is normal. For example, the Free Talk Live community has an entire section of their site dedicated to obscene and lewd humor. I don’t really understand the appeal, but I don’t think it would be fair to say that Free Talk Live is a failure as a forum because of that section, and nor would I say the same about the Liberating Minds forum.
I have been an observer of both Liberating Minds and FDR for some time. I’ve written a brief response regarding Molyneux’s depiction of Liberating Minds, for whatever it’s worth.
One more thought: What I object to most in Molyneux’ post here is his attempt to make me look like an anti-Semite.
Stef knows as well as anybody else that a charge of anti-Semitism is ruinous for somebody’s career etc. So he then copy-pastes from a section of our Forum called ‘rant and vent’ where the whole purpose is to come up with the most outlandish insults, and what could be more outlandish than anti-Semitic insults?
Of course he leaves out this context and makes it seem as if these kinds of remarks are standard on LM and as if I said them in all seriousness. As Danny said it is very well possible for somebody not to like this kind of humor (the outlandish insults kind). but, I would add, it is quite another thing to make it seem as if it was anything other than (an attempt at) humor.
To be sure, I am not an anti-Semite…at all… and I think it is pretty vile of Molyneux to try to create that impression.
Stefan,
Unless you have something productive and of value to say, please keep your drama on your site. You have had ample opportunity in an earlier thread to response and discuss your site and have not done so.
Please stay away.
I am suggesting we close this thread as to not feed the ego and keep the petty soap opera of mises.org.
Yeah, but I understand why some people don’t trust Mr. Molyneux. If their fear is of him is ever proven, Molyneux could be more of a danger than anything else. A megalomaniac is a DEADLY ally only to his FRIENDS!
Just givin’ a newbie a healthy does of cynicism, is all [H]. Otherwise, the forum still remains an excellent place to discuss topics & ideas beyond the pale of mainstream mediocrity.
There is something about the nature of great thinkers, a category in which I do not hesitate to place Mr. Molynuex, that often causes them to often not be the best at understanding human relations. Ayn Rand is a case in point. In fact, there are striking similarities between Ayn Rand and Mr. Molynuex. Both are ethnically Jewish atheists. Both are immigrants. Both had connections to theater. I must stress that I think the Mr. Molynuex has a great deal to offer the world and, in the long term, I think that his influence will be very positive. He once did a very touching podcast about an issue I had. I am very thankful to Stefan personally and might not be an an-cap right now were it not for his positive influence. I think he is a good person who has much to offer the world. I have even donated to his cause (I also donate to LVMI). I just wish that he handled conflicts differently.
That is why stuff like this is spam. The author is not starting a discussion, he’s just using the website to host and promote his message. If someone genuinely wanted to reach out to the Mises community, they could be bothered to write something unique and specific.