Hello, Mises forum. I’ve been a lurker on and off for awhile now. I suppose I’ll tell my story:
I was raised a conservative. Went to church every Sunday, was given responsibilites around the house, and was expected to do well in school. Politics were never really talked about, however. Sports pretty much consumed me through childhood, and into high school. Senior year, though, things changed. I took AP US Government, and my teacher was quite the libertarian (though I didn’t realize it at the time). I did really get into political philosophy after that though. That was the 2007-08 school year, and the following fall was the first presidential election in which I was eligible to vote. I was a staunch “Republican”. Believed in our “just” wars, etc. Went to Arizona State, and the first week attended the College Republican meeting. Bunch of Goldwater Republicans, and I was encouraged to read the Conscience of a Conservative. Though I never did, it started me on my journey to libertarianism. Somewhere along the lines of researching that book before I took the time to read it, I discovered Rothbard and the Mises Institute.
Throughout this process, I was writing posts and debating people on Facebook. Both on my page, and on the discussion boards of the McCain election page. I made many “friends” there, and after the election and the board closed, we opened up a political discussion page on Facebook. That’s where I learned my fondness for truly learning for a purpose, and writing about it (and defending my beliefs, etc.).
After discovering Austrian economics, I really found my love. Economics and economic history. I wasn’t well versed in it, so I bought the beginner’s package here at the Mises store. I never registered for second semester, as it didn’t seem neccessary for my goals --my goal was to teach the economics I learned. 3 times I attempted going back to school to become a teacher, as I thought that was the only medium to teach. Then I realized I could potentially reach way more people through writing and the Internet etc.-- I moved back to my home town, and got a “good” job. Worked at a warehouse, making good money with benefits and the works. However, I worked from 5am-2/3pm M-Sat. I found I either worked and kept up with my physical condition (running, eating healthily etc) or worked and kept up with my reading and writing. Reading and writing took a back seat. For two years I’ve been stagnant. Haven’t really read, haven’t really wrote. Two wasted years. Once I realized it, I quit on the spot. Took up a menial part-time job, on second shift. Time to read in the morning when my brain works fastest, and time to go to bed at a decent hour. Now, I’m just looking for a medium such as I had on Facebook, where I can develop my knowledge and discuss it with intelligent people. Hopefully this board will get me back on track to writing, and forget those two wasted years.
I guess I shouldn’t say they were completely wasted. My friend, about a year ago, told me about the book Born to Run. I researched it and came across barefoot running and Vibram Five Fingers etc. From there, I found Mark’s Daily Apple and Primal living. From there, I found Lew Rockwell, and now I’m a proud anarchist. Before, I classified myself as a “conservative-libertarian”, whatever that is.
Anyway, enough about me. I’m glad I finally joined and am back on track to my stated goal when leaving college.