I’m kind of disappointed there wasn’t any informing about this. It would have been nice for Tucker to at least make a quick post on the blog with the standard “I’m moving on to xyz. I had a great time here, thanks to everyone and all the support, etc. etc.” But then again, it’s possible they didn’t part on the best of terms. I mean, I wouldn’t think so, as Tucker has been around since the 80s, and he was the most pro-LvMI person ever…basically Mr. Mises Insitute. But then again it wouldn’t be the first time for bridges being burned around here. But it’s definitely official…he is no longer listed in the staff on the faculty page, and his author bio has been changed to reflect it. (Hell, even his wikipedia page is current with this.) And I think the fact that his Mises Wiki page has yet to be updated says a lot about how silently he disappeared…at least from an outsider’s perspective.
I only found out because someone asked about it in the comments on a random post on the blog (actually more than one). (Apparently legal scholar Skip Oliva is gone too.) Evidently Tucker’s now working at WhiskeyandGunpowder.com.
You are the first to bring this to my attention. Maybe it has something to do with him moving to become the president of Laissez-faire books (according to his Facebook Page.
No info but it seems after viewing whiskey’s home page, that he might own it now? I used to check out whiskey and gunpowder years ago when it was a simple site and fun read but it now has an entirely new look and Mr. Tucker’s name everywhere. I’ll miss him here but will probably be drinking more whiskey again.
That would be my thought/hope. His w&g bio labels him as “publisher and excecutive editor” of Laissez-Faire Books…so it’s entirely possible a position like that would require more time than he would have, if combined with his normal Mises duties. And he did speak a few times about all the experience in book publishing he gained through basically turning the Institute into a publishing house (or at least adding that to its resume). I can imagine he figured he could do a lot to help Laissez-Faire, and that LvMI would be just fine. (It ison a considerable upswing.) One might say there’s never been a better time for such an integral team member to bid farewell.
I’m not quite sure on that. I had never heard of the site before and I’m not sure in what capacity it is related to Laissez-Faire Books (there is a direct link to that website in W&G’s main banner.) So it’s possible if W&G is a subsidiary or an offshoot of Laissez-Faire, that Tucker now holding a high position there would translate to a high position at the website…but then again, his name is everywhere simply because he’s written a bunch of articles recently and they show up on the front page like a blog. One Gary Gibson is listed as head editor, and there is a pretty extensive list of authors…however it’s in alphabetical order, and I haven’t yet bothered to read through and find out who holds what positions.
My guess would be French right now. There’s no one listed on the faculty page with the title that he vacated. So even if they plan to replace him with someone new, they haven’t done it yet.
I would guess so, albeit maybe in a reduced capacity. Although again that depends on the terms of his departure. You have as much info as I do. I started this thread (a) to inform others (since no one else has) and (b) to try to get more info.
I’m really sorry to hear this. I’ve been to a handful of LvMI events over the past few years and Mr. Tucker was always by far the warmest and most approachable person there. I wish him the best in his new endeavors, but I do wish there had been some sort of public recognition of all his invested time and energy over the years, either by him or on his behalf by the Institute. Even if he left on less than perfect terms, it seems like the only decent thing.
I was listening to one of his discussions on technology and social change couple days ago oddly enough.
To get to the important matters, Tucker moves to Laissez Faire Books, first thing that comes to mind? LFB and the LvMI seemed to have some friction on the reproduction of some out of print books, of which LFB had the “rights” to, and LFB did not have the intention of reprinting them.* What I see? You have a very anti-IP guy going into a publishing company that might have some “rights” to a good amount of material. This is a very, very interesting move on Tucker. I’d expect to see some very hard to get material coming out in the next year or two.
*Off the top of my head, I don’t remember specifics, but I think it was from Tucker that I read it on a Mises post.
I have The Discovery of Freedom by Rose Wilder Lane that’s from LFB (I don’t suggest it to anyone, I gave up not far in the book…sort of sucks, but was Rothbard recommended).
This news is a bit exciting though, I can’t wait to see what LFB is going to put out now.
Thanks so much everyone for the nice things you are saying. I had the impression that a big announcement would be a bit maudlin and pointlessly personal etc. so I decided against it. I’m still around - in the digital age everyone is around everywhere and no one really ever goes away from anything - I’m just taking on new challenges and things. You can always write me at tucker@lfb.org.
Thanks again for all the very kind comments.
Just got back taping for an appearance on The Judge, which should air tonight.
oh sure! I mean, LFB will be the first commercial publisher to be wholly dedicated to free market methods. Ok, I do not know that for sure - about being the first. But so far as I know it will be the first big name publisher. I want to prove that the market can be profitable without state monopoly grants of privilege. Everyone at the parent company is behind this idea. We will take a while to get going here but when it happens, it will be amazing.