Silk Road forums
Discussion => Silk Road discussion => Topic started by: Dread Pirate Roberts on March 20, 2012, 11:39 am
-
Hey gang,
I read more than I post in the forum, and my posts are rarely of a personal nature. For some reason the mood struck me just now to put the revolution down for a minute and just express a few things. There is a curtain of anonymity and secrecy that covers everything that goes on behind the scenes here. It is often fast paced and stressful behind this curtain and I rarely lift my head long enough to take in just how amazing all of this is. But when I do I am filled with inspiration and hope for the future. Here's a little story about what inspires me:
For years I was frustrated and defeated by what seemed to be insurmountable barriers between the world today and the world I wanted. I searched long and hard for the truth about what is right and wrong and good for humanity. I argued with, learned from, and read the works of brilliant people in search of the truth. It's a damn hard thing to do too with all of the misinformation and distractions in the sea of opinion we live in. But eventually I found something I could agree with whole heartedly. Something that made sense, was simple, elegant and consistent in all cases. I'm talking about the Austrian Economic theory, voluntaryism, anarcho-capitalism, agorism etc. espoused by the likes of Mises and Rothbard before their deaths, and Salerno and Rockwell today.
From their works, I understood the mechanics of liberty, and the effects of tyranny. But such vision was a curse. Everywhere I looked I saw the State, and the horrible withering effects it had on the human spirit. It was horribly depressing. Like waking from a restless dream to find yourself in a cage with no way out. But I also saw free spirits trying to break free of their chains, doing everything they could to serve their fellow man and provide for themselves and their loved ones. I saw the magical and powerful wealth creating effect of the market, the way it fostered cooperation, civility and tolerance. How it made trading partners out of strangers or even enemies. How it coordinates the actions of every person on the planet in ways too complex for any one mind to fathom to produce an overflowing abundance of wealth, where nothing is wasted and where power and responsibility are directed to those most deserving and able. I saw a better way, but knew of no way to get there.
I read everything I could to deepen my understanding of economics and liberty, but it was all intellectual, there was no call to action except to tell the people around me what I had learned and hopefully get them to see the light. That was until I read “Alongside night” and the works of Samuel Edward Konkin III. At last the missing puzzle piece! All of the sudden it was so clear: every action you take outside the scope of government control strengthens the market and weakens the state. I saw how the state lives parasitically off the productive people of the world, and how quickly it would crumble if it didn't have it's tax revenues. No soldiers if you can't pay them. No drug war without billions of dollars being siphoned off the very people you are oppressing.
For the first time I saw the drug cartels and the dealers, and every person in the whole damn supply chain in a different light. Some, especially the cartels, are basically a defacto violent power hungry state, and surely would love nothing more than to take control of a national government, but you average joe pot dealer, who wouldn't hurt a fly, that guy became my hero. By making his living outside the purview of the state, he was depriving it of his precious life force, the product of his efforts. He was free. People like him, little by little, weakened the state and strengthened the market.
It wasn't long, maybe a year or two after this realization that the pieces started coming together for the Silk Road, and what a ride it has been. No longer do I feel ANY frustration. In fact I am at peace in the knowledge that every day I have more I can do to breath life into a truly revolutionary and free market than I have hours in the day. I walk tall, proud and free, knowing that the actions I take eat away at the infrastructure that keeps oppression alive.
We are like a little seed in a big jungle that has just broken the surface of the forest floor. It's a big scary jungle with lots of dangerous creatures, each honed by evolution to survive in the hostile environment known as human society. All manner of corporation, government agency, small family businesses, anything that can gain a foothold and survive. But the environment is rapidly changing and the jungle has never seen a species quite like the Silk Road. You can see it, but you can't touch it. It is elusive, yet powerful, and we are evolving at a rapid clip, experimenting, trying to find sturdy ground we can put roots down in.
Will we and others like us someday grow to be tall hardwoods? Will we reshape the landscape of society as we know it? What if one day we had enough power to maintain a physical presence on the globe, where we shunned the parasites and upheld the rule of law, where the right to privacy and property was unquestioned and enshrined in the very structure of society. Where police are our servants and protectors beholden to their customers, the people. Where our leaders earn their power and responsibility in the harsh and unforgiving furnace of the free market and not from behind a gun, where the opportunities to create and enjoy wealth are as boundless as one's imagination.
Some day, we could be a shining beacon of hope for the oppressed people of the world just as so many oppressed and violated souls have found refuge here already. Will it happen overnight? No. Will it happen in a lifetime? I don't know. Is it worth fighting for until my last breath. Of course. Once you've seen what's possible, how can you do otherwise? How can you plug yourself into the tax eating, life sucking, violent, sadistic, war mongering, oppressive machine ever again? How can you kneel when you've felt the power of your own legs? Felt them stretch and flex as you learn to walk and think as a free person? I would rather live my life in rags now than in golden chains. And now we can have both! Now it is profitable to throw off one's chains, with amazing crypto technology reducing the risk of doing so dramatically. How many niches have yet to be filled in the world of anonymous online markets? The opportunity to prosper and take part in a revolution of epic proportions is at our fingertips!
I have no one to share my thoughts with in physical space. Security does not permit it, so thanks for listening. I hope my words can be an inspiration just as I am given so much by everyone here.
Dread Pirate Roberts
-
I do feel honoured to be a part of this revolution, for that is what it is. This project, of which each of us is some part, large or small, is redefining economics for future generations and I feel proud that I can say that I was a part of it.
-
I do feel honoured to be a part of this revolution, for that is what it is. This project, of which each of us is some part, large or small, is redefining economics for future generations and I feel proud that I can say that I was a part of it.
+1. it makes you feel good knowing you're part of the cause. or that might just be the chemicals....
you, Mr. DPR, are an inspiration to us all
-
True dat.
-
I just hope DPR watches his back, The more successful he gets and silk road gets, the more crime organizations(or governments) will try to muscle in, or try to take him out. But I wish him all the luck, and hope Silk Road keeps it going for a long time. Let that green camel flag fly!
-
The revolution will not be televised! We are part of a great experiement happening right NOW. The fact that we are not in the plugged in control structure so many of our family and friends are in. We see something off in the distance that is not personal, but is for all, we just need enough peope to help push our consciouness through to the next level. Here at SR we ARE the faciliitators, and not just that, but QUALITY is a big cocern of mine, always has been. Well here at SR there is some accountability to your Quality. I love it. WE just have to see where this ship goes and how well we can all work together if anything happens.
Viva La SR!
-
however this experiment plays out, DPR will be remembered as a true hero of liberty. cheers.
-
i hope this will continue on forever and really spark some worldwide change for the better but i hope that our fearless leader has plans/left instructions for another brave soul to take his place should the worst befall him. positive vibes on that front and i hope we can all move forward into a new chapter in human history. all the best to DPR and our wonderful community.
-
however this experiment plays out, DPR will be remembered as a true hero of liberty. cheers.
True that. You really are a hero to myself and many others, DPR. Defending liberty and freedom instead of giving them up in exchange for governmental "guarantees" despite a world filled with opposing forces. I love how this is a global market where exchange of information and goods happens so quickly and easily even with large distances between us. This market is truly an amazing revolution to be a part of.
-
Dread Pirate Roberts, you are a hero and a visionary and a poet. You deserve to be greeted with a red carpet wherever you go.
-
DPR thank you for your visionary revolution that has freed us all! Not to mention the emotions you must supress in being the visionary of such a great thing that you can never speak a word of...
-
Very well said DPR...you must have woke up and tripped over that giant heap of cash you are making and been struck with inspiration. ;D Just kidding....no I'm not :D No really, I love you DPR, TY to you and your minions for providing a sense of true freedom to the truly disenfranchised.
-
Very well said DPR...you must have woke up and tripped over that giant heap of cash you are making and been struck with inspiration. ;D Just kidding....no I'm not :D No really, I love you DPR, TY to you and your minions for providing a sense of true freedom to the truly disenfranchised.
I'm a minion, eh? Well, I ought to start working on my hunch then.
DPR as usual well spoken. I'm glad we all travel this road together.
~Digi
-
Thank you DPR for everything you have done for the community!
You will NEVER be forgotten. ;)
Peace
The Flipside Crew
-
Thanks for making this place happen DPR. I gotta say this place sure is revolutionary, I think senator schumer described SR the best:
"It's a certifiable one-stop shop for illegal drugs that represents the most brazen attempt to peddle drugs online that we have ever seen. It's more brazen than anything else by lightyears"
:) :D ;D +1
-
Thanks DPR. Tts amazing that such place exists, and im glad to be part of it!
-
I personally can't wait till I can pick up a school history textbook and read about the great hero DPR and his revolution. Unfortunately that may be decades from now...
-
We're all with you DPR!
Long live SR!
-
This is all awesomely said.
but i think the sword of damocles hanging over silk road's head is bitcoins! lol. don't laugh, yo. i'm serious.
silk road's survival hinges on bitcoins which have been under attack. yeah, drama, i know. but tradehill got shot in the face. banks are making life difficult to deposit to bitcoin dealers. bank of america seems to be smartening up.
so you know what? the powers that be are gonna be like, you think you are starving out beast? well we'll starve yours. say bubbye to bitcoins. we're going to regulate the shit out of it all in the name of protecting the public from being scammed. chest all puffed out and shit. then they'll be like, "we've been holding shit down since the down of time. ain't a bitch rise up unless we say so."
so that's my worry. they'll attack the currency used by silk roaders instead of attacking silk road. then force everyone back to using moneypaks to buy drugs and being scammed. unless you can escrow moneypaks?
hey, DPR, you might want to think about doing that. Make moneypaks acceptable form of payment but with some kind of escrow. would be more stable than bitcoins.
-
Anonymous MoneyPaks, Pre-paid cards, WU (via "wm-central", as one example) should cure those concerns for now.
There is no need to EVER use a bank to get your coins.
Until/unless Bitcoins become a thing of the past, like E-gold. :(
Yet, like E-gold, there will always be many new E-currency's to take their place. Regardless of what happens with Bitcoins in the future. ;)
Peace
The Flipside Crew
-
maybe my children will read this missive instead of the gettysburg address.
-
Anonymous MoneyPaks, Pre-paid cards, WU (via "wm-central", as one example) should cure those concerns for now.
There is no need to EVER use a bank to get your coins.
Until/unless Bitcoins become a thing of the past, like E-gold. :(
Yet, like E-gold, there will always be many new E-currency's to take their place. Regardless of what happens with Bitcoins in the future. ;)
Peace
The Flipside Crew
E-Gold was still a centralized depository - a single target that could be attacked. If bitcoin starts being attacked by the state agencies it just creates artificial scarcity, driving up the value, and the whole infrastructure of the p2p backbone moves to darknet. Done. All they can do is make it illegal to own bitcoins, which puts it on the same level as every thing else we do here anyway.
Besides there is always Liberty Reserve, Pecunix (which you can use over Tor), etc. Options prevail.
@DPR - I am happy to be along for the ride with you, my philosophical brother. We fight for the same thing :)
-
They can crack down on, and make Bitcoins illegal all they want.
We're prepared to offer Flipcoin$, lol. ;)
Peace
The Flipside Crew
-
Thank you DPR
for the insight into your articulated and creative mind. It was a great read. Here is to a long and fruitful existence.
Stay safe and most importantly secure!
Hoffa
-
Anonymous MoneyPaks, Pre-paid cards, WU (via "wm-central", as one example) should cure those concerns for now.
There is no need to EVER use a bank to get your coins.
Until/unless Bitcoins become a thing of the past, like E-gold. :(
Yet, like E-gold, there will always be many new E-currency's to take their place. Regardless of what happens with Bitcoins in the future. ;)
Peace
The Flipside Crew
E-Gold was still a centralized depository - a single target that could be attacked. If bitcoin starts being attacked by the state agencies it just creates artificial scarcity, driving up the value, and the whole infrastructure of the p2p backbone moves to darknet. Done. All they can do is make it illegal to own bitcoins, which puts it on the same level as every thing else we do here anyway.
Besides there is always Liberty Reserve, Pecunix (which you can use over Tor), etc. Options prevail.
@DPR - I am happy to be along for the ride with you, my philosophical brother. We fight for the same thing :)
yeah, see that's why I love this place. knowledge flows like a river rapid. you're beautiful man, both of you.
you know what i wish? DPR could buy an island that has it's own sovereignty. we could all go there and get high together as the family we are. because the family that gets high together, stays together. :)
i'm serious about that too. i love everyone here. except the scammers. but you know what? i forgive them. they're going to suffer the wrath of karma. and in that day, i hope their eyes are opened to see what they've done and what they missed out on. yeah, they took from my family, my brothers and sisters here. but in exchange for their ill gotten gain, they lost a handful of their own soul and have become lesser beings. and that's why i forgive them. because i hurt for them. they're broken lesser souls. so sad because they could have been a part of something grand and greater than themselves. they could have had meaning. they could have had worth.
let's take a moment to mourn for the broken, lesser souls of the scammers who may never amount to anything resembling worth. they die from the inside out.
-
Creating our "own" nation is not a 'completely' unrealistic possibility. Sealand is a fine example.
But if Palestine can't even get recognized by the UN after a million years, we wouldn't stand a chance of being recognized. Any time soon at least. :(
But search: There was talk in the past on Bluelight about creating our own "nation". With our own drug laws too, of course. :)
Peace
The Flipside Crew
-
Creating our "own" nation is not a 'completely' unrealistic possibility. Sealand is a fine example.
But if Palestine can't even get recognized by the UN after a million years, we wouldn't stand a chance of being recognized. Any time soon at least. :(
But search: There was talk in the past on Bluelight about creating our own "nation". With our own drug laws too, of course. :)
Peace
The Flipside Crew
Countries aren't given by the UN or any other authority.
They are won from battle, and exist only due to other states refraining from invasion.
-
DPR, if you ever get a serious vision of setting up a physical presence in the world(I'm guessing our own country a bit like Piratebay was for awhile?) I will happily give up everything I have to devote myself to the effort in any way possible.
-
in 1996 after his trial Phil Zimmernann, creator of PGP, wrote, - "Not everything that happens in the world is a result of some dark conspiracy. Sometimes you just win. This was one of those times"
Congrats DPR you win!
thanks and long life to SR
-
Well said. Thank you, DPR.
We are on a path to a better world. A truer and more honest world.
Will it happen overnight? No. Will it happen in a lifetime? I don't know. Is it worth fighting for until my last breath. Of course. Once you've seen what's possible, how can you do otherwise?
We are setting a new precedent for liberty. There has been nothing like SR in the past. Let's make everything we can of this.
~from the meadow, goatHerd
-
From time to time when I'm browsing around on this place, I'll suddenly sit back and the biggest shit eating grin will cross my face as I realize yet again how unique and amazing it is. For me it's a dream come true. I grew up on the Internet and was always fascinated by it's potential to connect like minds and spread knowledge that gradually weakens the propaganda and misinformation Big Brother forces down people's throats to keep them in line. Though I was fascinated by these possibilities, I never would have connected the dots with Tor and BTC in being able to create something like this myself. For that I am grateful for admin's work and have been deeply inspired by this place. Even if SR does not succeed as an enterprise I'm certain that the dream will live on and take an even more robust form, and in that sense it has been a huge success already. It's laudable that DPR seems to value this over simply lining his pockets (although there's certainly nothing wrong with that in my book).
Deep respect here, forever. I'm with you brother. I'm sure it must be a lonely existence in a number of respects, and I recognize and thank you for your personal sacrifices that make this possible.
-
This made me cry. You really moved me emotionally.
Not cry in a bad way. Just.... I don't know?
-
Creating our "own" nation is not a 'completely' unrealistic possibility. Sealand is a fine example.
But if Palestine can't even get recognized by the UN after a million years, we wouldn't stand a chance of being recognized. Any time soon at least. :(
But search: There was talk in the past on Bluelight about creating our own "nation". With our own drug laws too, of course. :)
Peace
The Flipside Crew
Countries aren't given by the UN or any other authority.
They are won from battle, and exist only due to other states refraining from invasion.
You are correct radium, however if you would like to be officially, and globally accepted as a nation (along with the laws you have created) you would want to be recognized by the UN. At least.
I was not infering countries are "given" away by the UN.
And the right to sovereignty "could" exist without battle, if one were to say, purchase an island legally from a recognized nation and declare it so. Theoretically. I doubt the US, NATO, ect would attack. But then again, that's depends on who is the US president at the time and whether you have nuclear capabilities. Or oil. ;)
Thank you.
The Flipside Crew
-
..if only
good read
thanks for Silk Road.
-
Very well said DPR...you must have woke up and tripped over that giant heap of cash you are making and been struck with inspiration. ;D Just kidding....no I'm not :D No really, I love you DPR, TY to you and your minions for providing a sense of true freedom to the truly disenfranchised.
I'm a minion, eh? Well, I ought to start working on my hunch then.
DPR as usual well spoken. I'm glad we all travel this road together.
~Digi
Bad wording..I meant homeboy's. :D
-
Will we and others like us someday grow to be tall hardwoods? Will we reshape the landscape of society as we know it? What if one day we had enough power to maintain a physical presence on the globe, where we shunned the parasites and upheld the rule of law, where the right to privacy and property was unquestioned and enshrined in the very structure of society. Where police are our servants and protectors beholden to their customers, the people. Where our leaders earn their power and responsibility in the harsh and unforgiving furnace of the free market and not from behind a gun, where the opportunities to create and enjoy wealth are as boundless as one's imagination.
Dread Pirate Roberts
I just wanted to say that I find this statement to be very inspirational and at the very heart of what I have been longing for.
A free and open society where leaders must earn there way to the top and be accountable for there actions. A free and open society where state policies are not financially motivated but instead motivated by the actions/opinions and consensus of the people.
All I can do is hope to see such a paradise in my lifetime but with that said only time will tell.
I have no one to share my thoughts with in physical space. Security does not permit it, so thanks for listening. I hope my words can be an inspiration just as I am given so much by everyone here.
Dread Pirate Roberts
I find this statement to be very sad and I feel for you. Not being able to talk to people in the physical world about your daily stresses of running the Silkroad and other issues can be very hard.
Just try to keep in mind that even though you cant tell your friend's in real life about your true identity you can still talk to them about other things.
It's always nice to have a few friends nearby in real life and remember if behind the scenes of Silkroad starts to stress you out and pushes you to your limit's just take a day off and just relax with friends.
I guess what I am trying to say in a nutshell here is don't burn yourself out. We all need a break every every once in awhile.
Kind Regards
SpeedCrunch
P.S Just wanted to add that you have my undying respect. For without you and your efforts I wouldn't have access to any of the things that I have today. So many doors have been opened for me because of Silkroad and it has changed the way I see life. I am a better person because of Silkroad.
-
Let's get Branson addicted to Heroin and convince him to convert Necker Island into our own little utopia. :) We'll all be sitting on the beach all day waiting for the next Virgin Airdrop LOL
-
DPR, if you ever get a serious vision of setting up a physical presence in the world(I'm guessing our own country a bit like Piratebay was for awhile?) I will happily give up everything I have to devote myself to the effort in any way possible.
sign me up too! Thanks DPR made my day!
-
Nice to get to know the captain better once in a while. Good post.
-
it is amazing to be a part of the revolution.
I never thought such an amazing place could exist. and it has only been becoming better and better.
the site is the fastest its ever been, scammers have been slowly getting weeded out of our home, and we are getting wiser to seeing the early signs.
I have faith in Mr. DPR. I know this place will be around for a long time, just like the pirate bay :D
much love :)
-
When I discovered this place I instantly knew this was something bigger than me, and that I was going to be apart of it. Who woulda known that the next revolution would take place online? I like to think of this place as definitive proof that the war on drugs has failed. Thanks for creating something that I will remember for the rest of my life.
I think it goes without saying that all of us here are going to remember this place for the rest of our lives.
-
Mises is my hero. Nice reading list DPR! Ideas know no limits.
-
People have dreamed of things like this for a while... but today, we have the knowledge and technology to make it a reality.
I applaud and admire the few people like yourself, DPR, that really make an effort to make a change.
If only everyone else (myself included) had the same drive, will and capability to do the same, things may be very different. Very excited to see where the next decade leads us.
-
DPR #1 hero!
-
DEEPLY appreciated DPR ;)
greets JD^^
-
Over 120 days and no replies... but it is a moving piece and worth digging up. Makes me question my socialist roots. Damn you DPR.
-
Inspirational read +1!
It makes me feel so privileged to be a part of the magical community.
Thank you DPR, DA and the others for making this possible.
-
Somehow I missed this thread when it was originally posted. DPR, you are a true hero and I hope you remain in good health and spirits. I hope one day you are free to step out from behind the curtain and receive our gratitude in public.
Timothy Leary said that evolution is a silent and invisible process. It is thrilling to be even a small part of this silent revolution.
Many thanks DPR, stay safe and well.
-
DPR, thanks for everything you've done, for making this incredible place possible, for giving me the opportunity to experience things I'd always dreamed about, and for lending me a couple hundred quid when I was really in need, but most of all thanks for restoring my faith in humanity,
-
This site—this community—is an unbridled expression of the human spirit to live and trade in peace and wealth regardless of those who fear their own capabilities.
-
Very motivating and inspirational to me. Thanks.
I feel the power we all have when we securely seal up that envelop to ship out, or when we eagerly wait to tear it open to see whats inside. This truly is a direct action. SR provokes new buyers to purchase from a REAL chemist or grower, not from mega drug cartels funded by governments. In return, supporting the sellers will result in a truly free market which expands the choices of the buyers.
It's a beautiful thing that is happening here. I see it much more than just a way of getting banned products. Its a way to fight off corruption and evil in this world and show these tyrants who's boss!...we the people!
-
The Bungee54 Team is proud to be a part of this !
Thank you for your words DPR. We feel like "A Lodging of Wayfaring Men" becoming reality !
We shall defend this Place with all our might should a call to arms ever happen.
With our utmost respect,
The Bungee54 Team / Cell 8)
-
DPR, You are a true humanitarian you have made a difference on this rock floating around in space, surrounded by infinity. You, and your mind have hopefully changed the course of humanity in it's years to come. I love how you are able to truly capture the meaning behind our beloved Road. It's not a "black market for drugs" It is the will of the human species, what we as equal human being's all deserve. To be able to enjoy our time alive on this earth by our own will.
You sir have made a great stride in personal freedom, whether or not arbitrarily assembled human governments recognize this, YOU HAVE MADE THIS WORLD A BETTER PLACE!
Thank you for being the leader this community deserves.
It truely is a shame that the world we live in would label such a beautiful mind as a "terrorist" or an Enemy of the State
Thanks again.
ENBOOM
-
DPR
RESPECT
You have created a magical oasis in progressively fascist world.
I love the freedom that is offered here.
May your life be long and filled with much success..
Juan Freemann
-
And everything I could to deepen my understanding of economics and liberty, but it was all intellectual, there was no call to action except to tell the people around me what I had learned and hopefully get them to see the light. That was until I read “Alongside night” and the works of Samuel Edward Konkin III. At last the missing puzzle piece! All of the sudden it was so clear: every action you take outside the scope of government control strengthens the market and weakens the state. I saw how the state lives parasitically off the productive people of the world, and how quickly it would crumble if it didn't have it's tax revenues. No soldiers if you can't pay them. No drug war without billions of dollars being siphoned off the very people you are oppressing.
The Bungee54 Team is proud to be a part of this !
Thank you for your words DPR. We feel like "A Lodging of Wayfaring Men" becoming reality !
We shall defend this Place with all our might should a call to arms ever happen.
With our utmost respect,
The Bungee54 Team / Cell 8)
A thread worth resuscitating!
I think many of us here can identity with these sentiments. Those books mentioned are works of fiction, it is interesting that it should take these fiction elements in combination with the rigorous theory of Austrian economics to make it all work together, to make it all work in a practical way. A greater than sum of parts interaction between right and left brain hemispheres perhaps! Only then could the rubber truly meet the road. Capitalist philosophy is in fact extremely practical once you "get it", but it is often non trivial to understand why and how. It is a mere 236 years since our Revolution began, nothing!, but I'm not sure we all, myself included, fully appreciate the implications and power of this idea. It has a similar vastness to the theory of Evolution, if you require Deep Time to comprehend Evolution, then you need Deep Thought to comprehend Capitalism. It is almost Zen-like, apparently simple rules hide tremendous complexity. Have you read the Wealth of Nations and Adam Smith's description of what it takes to put a coarse woolen garment on the back of a shepherd, or the account of how production expands even in the simple process of a pin manufacture? That hit me like a gunshot to the head, I understood how Saul from Damascus felt, like a mental lighting bolt penetrating your mind and completely reordering everything. There is no better high than this, there really is not.
Since coming to SR, it may sound cliched or peculiar, but I have felt a great sense of peace. It is just as you say, like a final jigsaw piece clicked into place, like the observation of the emergence of a larger pattern or grasping the solution to a perplexing riddle. It is inexplicable but satisfying.
This is a war worth fighting. We have the opportunity to unleash the power of the market directly against the Enemy.
On my part, I shall throw every resource at my disposal, every inkling of intellect and once of strength into this fight. These mediocre minded men with meager intellect and barren spirits cannot stand in our way. In the end, the Market, shall triumph.
This new generation of young people of the early 21st century, they are the most important ones, because, it is their future that has been stolen by corrupt politicians, quasi-fascist-socialist designs. SR and the emerging Darknet Confederation is going to be one of those pivots where we slam our feet back against the bedrock of this society and shove back hard.
Perhaps I will be considered a lunatic but I believe real world War could be coming. Yes, the real thing. My intuition says that we, not SR or the darknet markets, but the entirety of the West, is on an awful yawning precipice that could lead to catastrophic economic, followed by political and social disaster. Perhaps that doesn't sound very scientific, but I don't think I'm the only one with that vibe. There is never a way of predicting the future, so my intuition is as good a metric as any, and I have to say it has not let me down yet. Our anonymous comms networks, our financial system will stand us in good stead if such a time comes.
-
Thank you DPR. I can only imagine how scary it was originally setting this up. You are a shining example of liberty for all of us to follow. While some trends on the internet increase liberty, many trends in meatspace are moving to be solidified socialist, totalitarian, and anti-freedom. The statists never rest but neither do we. It is a cosmic battle which we are destined to win. It is getting to the point of being intolerable. We cannot as humans allow others who claim to be humans to allow their corrupted conscience to enforce corporate morality. Our solutions will probably not be found in the current regulatory democracy, designed to reinforce the system.
Regards WWIII, it is coming. I think the gods are returning, and they aren't happy, at least to some groups on this planet.
-
is dpr a he or a she?
-
DPR my hero.
is dpr a he or a she?
He.
-
Sometimes you got to stop, and give praise, and thanks.
Thank You
-
For the first time I saw the drug cartels and the dealers, and every person in the whole damn supply chain in a different light. Some, especially the cartels, are basically a defacto violent power hungry state, and surely would love nothing more than to take control of a national government, but you average joe pot dealer, who wouldn't hurt a fly, that guy became my hero. By making his living outside the purview of the state, he was depriving it of his precious life force, the product of his efforts. He was free. People like him, little by little, weakened the state and strengthened the market.
I found this paragraph very inspirational, thank-you for supporting the average joe, it's well over-due that someone did! Certainly not everyone involved in the drug word is involved in the same way. The cartels, can be just as bad as our governments at times, defato, hungry, and oppressive, what's the difference?
In the IRL world this never would have been achievable, thank-you for reminding us DPR, on the internet anything is possible, only the limits of our minds and fear drummed into us by our governments, deny us from achieving our full potentials. Thank-you Tim-Berners Lee (inventor of the internet), thank-you to the military personnel who invented the Tor Network, and a massive THANK-YOU to DPR for bringing it all together in the most revolutionary of ways! Thank-you, thank-you, and thank-you!
The SRevolution as well and truly landed. Here, on SR, we are in the true "land of the free", and long may it continue! All we need is to come up with our national anthem!
Congratulations DPR on your inspirational achievement, you a true modern day hero! :)
-
i was deeply torched buy this the first time i read it and now its popped up again and i have read it again im equally touched by it.
you are a true inspiration DPR, and i will never be able to thank you enough....
-
It's great to see that my words are resonating with so many of you. It's a privilege to have a stage to speak from here. It doesn't get said enough, and it is hard to get across in this medium, but... I love you <3
Who knew that a softy could lead an international narcotics organization? Behind my wall of anonymity, I don't have to intimidate, thankfully. But yea, I love you guys. Thank you for being here. Thank you for being my comrades. Thank you for being yourselves and bringing your unique perspectives and energy. And on a personal note, thank you for giving me the best job in the world. I've never had so much fun! I know we've been at it for over a year now, but really, we are JUST getting started. I'm so excited and anxious for our future I could burst ;D
-
DRP, if you read this then thank you!
Throughout Ayn Rand's book "Atlas Shrugged" The question is asked "Who is John Galt", You sir are John Galt!
-
:)
-
There has not been one man I have been envious of my whole life but you DPR, can hold that title. Thank you for this wonderful reality.
P.S. please tell your minions to stop banning me so much.
-
Although I don't agree completely with your politics DPR what you have done is amazing and although I am not a "Revolutionary" by nature SR is a undoubtedly a revolution and it's something I have to come to hold very dear to me. I take my hat off to you. :)
-
maybe my children will read this missive instead of the gettysburg address.
^^ ;D^^
EDIT: Also, and more importantly, DPR, thanks for what you've done. This place is one of the few things in life I am truly inspired by.
-
I feel the power we all have when we securely seal up that envelop to ship out, or when we eagerly wait to tear it open to see whats inside. This truly is a direct action. SR provokes new buyers to purchase from a REAL chemist or grower, not from mega drug cartels funded by governments. In return, supporting the sellers will result in a truly free market which expands the choices of the buyers.
It's a beautiful thing that is happening here. I see it much more than just a way of getting banned products. Its a way to fight off corruption and evil in this world and show these tyrants who's boss!...we the people!
More specifically, I don't believe SR is actually STOPPING any cartels/organized crime groups/governments/etc from selling here, I would expect many vendors to be exactly that. It is, however, FORCING those groups to compete with everybody else.
-
DRP, if you read this then thank you!
Throughout Ayn Rand's book "Atlas Shrugged" The question is asked "Who is John Galt", You sir are John Galt!
Beat us to it ! Damn !!
:-*
-
It's great to see that my words are resonating with so many of you. It's a privilege to have a stage to speak from here. It doesn't get said enough, and it is hard to get across in this medium, but... I love you <3
Who knew that a softy could lead an international narcotics organization? Behind my wall of anonymity, I don't have to intimidate, thankfully. But yea, I love you guys. Thank you for being here. Thank you for being my comrades. Thank you for being yourselves and bringing your unique perspectives and energy. And on a personal note, thank you for giving me the best job in the world. I've never had so much fun! I know we've been at it for over a year now, but really, we are JUST getting started. I'm so excited and anxious for our future I could burst ;D
DPR, you are the man, or is it woman? Fuck it, you are THE PERSON!
What you said about the average pot dealer really resonates with me. Most dealers aren't bloodthirsty ghetto thugs who don't give a shit, nor are they power hungry cartels that go around chopping people's heads off. These days, most are just young adults who have no choice but to serve drugs simply because there are no other opportunities worth their time!
If you're under 30, chances are it's very difficult to find a good job now. Even if you went to school, there is just so much competition in some areas that unless you "know someone" on some nepotist bullshit, odds are you'll be stuck working some low paying retail job or whatever crap that's available these days. No one wants to be 20-something and live with their parents while barely making enough to pay for the fucking transportation necessary to get to work due to the circumstances of their birth. That's some indentured servant shit, and I can't blame anyone for doing what they can to avoid it. There is no humility in working these jobs once you're clearly mature and skilled enough to do something else.
-
It's great to see that my words are resonating with so many of you. It's a privilege to have a stage to speak from here. It doesn't get said enough, and it is hard to get across in this medium, but... I love you <3
Who knew that a softy could lead an international narcotics organization? Behind my wall of anonymity, I don't have to intimidate, thankfully. But yea, I love you guys. Thank you for being here. Thank you for being my comrades. Thank you for being yourselves and bringing your unique perspectives and energy. And on a personal note, thank you for giving me the best job in the world. I've never had so much fun! I know we've been at it for over a year now, but really, we are JUST getting started. I'm so excited and anxious for our future I could burst ;D
DPR, you are the man, or is it woman? Fuck it, you are THE PERSON!
What you said about the average pot dealer really resonates with me. Most dealers aren't bloodthirsty ghetto thugs who don't give a shit, nor are they power hungry cartels that go around chopping people's heads off. These days, most are just young adults who have no choice but to serve drugs simply because there are no other opportunities worth their time!
If you're under 30, chances are it's very difficult to find a good job now. Even if you went to school, there is just so much competition in some areas that unless you "know someone" on some nepotist bullshit, odds are you'll be stuck working some low paying retail job or whatever crap that's available these days. No one wants to be 20-something and live with their parents while barely making enough to pay for the fucking transportation necessary to get to work due to the circumstances of their birth. That's some indentured servant shit, and I can't blame anyone for doing what they can to avoid it. There is no humility in working these jobs once you're clearly mature and skilled enough to do something else.
I said exactly the same thing last month, reposting it here for good measure, because it's True with a capital 'T'. The wheel has turned and all the power in the world is surging beneath our feet, economics and demographics. The Darknet Black Markets are going to become a permanent fixture to this world one way or the other. I also suggest reading about "System D", there is an excellent article in Foreign Policy called "The Shadow Superpower" on the subject, I think it is quite revealing.
Today at the office was someone's birthday. AGAIN. I went and picked up their cake from the bakery, vanilla with vanilla frosting. AGAIN. We all piled in the conference room and mumbled the Happy Birthday song, clapped, and pretended to laugh at the same crappy jokes about getting older. AGAIN. I swear to god someone has a birthday every goddamn week. Eating cake and ice cream every week for years it's a wonder I'm not 300lbs.
As I was cutting the cake, looking at the room full of morbidly obese, visibly exhausted and saggy-eyed people eagerly staring at the giant sugary loaf like hungry hyenas as the one highlight in their day, I couldn't help but think "God, am I going to be standing here doing this when I'm 30, 40, 50, 60?!" and for some reason it really bothered me.
I mean, if you happen to be "lucky" enough to procure a "normal" 8-5 job, or hell even at fast food jobs or whatever, you spend majority of your waking hours during the week being there, doing something you probably barely like, maybe you get paid well, maybe you don't. And there is no end in sight. If you have a kid, then you get a few months off and then have to put them in daycare or something and go back.
It just worries me because I'm only in my mid-20s and already feeling this way of the working world, I am one of the youngest people at my workplace. I swear my day life is exactly like the movie Office Space. Probably why I do drugs. I just wish there was some other way, and I guess there are plenty of people out there who have their own business or some crazy cool job like traveling the world, or are super lucky and somehow are rich enough to not have to work, but for the majority of us, that will not happen. If I want a nice house, nice things, etc this is how it has to be.
Does this bother anyone else? How do you deal with it? Do you ever wake up at 7am like usual and for some reason the very last thing you want to do is go to work? Or am I just messed up or naive.
It's not that I'm completely miserable, I do like my job for the most part, but some days like today I just get in this depressive funk where I look at the big picture and get uncomfortable with it... and when I graduate college soon I'll still be doing this, maybe somewhere else one day for more money but the same picture.
Anyway sorry to bring down the mood on here but I have to put on the happy mask all day everyday to my real life people, I like being able to come on here and just say how I feel.
It's posts like these that make me glad I'm an international drug smuggler. Today's wages for young people, even ones with advanced degrees are beyond crap. I see new grads paying to work internships because the cost of living is higher than their stipends, even when they live with their parents or half a dozen+ to a house. Then when they obtain a real salary it's 5 times lower than it was 20 years ago in real terms (i.e. w/o inflation), taxed to the hilt and then some. My taxi driver and waiter have decent STEM degrees these days and a 50-100k of student debt and a sob story to tell, it's completely ridiculous. It's somewhat hilarious that they imagine somebody like myself is taking burdensome risks when the opportunity cost of 'normality' has wrecked their prospects. Mind you, all our competition is of the 'Topix' variety, so I can see how you'd get that impression.
But seriously, young people today aren't thinking about ROI, return on investment. They seem to think it's alright to be in debt until your late 30s or more before they get back into the black. Then they take on mortgages because everybody else is doing it. That's not OK, that's shit. Do the math. You guys should be rioting or something by now, I don't know what is wrong with this generation, I genuinely am surprised they aren't far more angry. I mean are you getting a raw deal or not? If so, maybe you need to plan something new. I don't know what, that's hardly my business, but there's no point in sitting around moping about things if you're not going to do something about it. Make a business plan or something, take some control over your life in some way.
Example: If you work hard and invest consistently for long periods of time while you're younger, then you can accumulate wealth much faster than your peers. You'll know you're successful when your yearly dividends are higher than your annual salary. Your pals may have nice cars or houses, but they'll also be in debt up to their eyeballs. Don't go down that road, it's well trodden, and an infinitely sterile and anxiety filled way to live life.
If you want to escape the rat race, you have to think laterally and take calculated risks, whether you are in the black market or regular market that is the case. You cannot follow the herd, they thought investing in real estate in 2007 was a hot idea. Fuck those people, don't take advice from anybody who isn't already ahead of you in some area. Do your research, make a plan, like you were making a report for your boss, but for yourself.
Finally, a lot of young people look down on jobs like working a shop floor, pizza delivery, cleaning etc. Those jobs may not pay top dollar, but they aren't going to get outsourced to china now are they? Contrariwise, most classical middle class jobs like engineering, legal, payroll, is experiencing just that thanks to the combined effects of globalization and new technology. Looks like the plumber makes more money than my dentist or lawyer when you factor in their opportunity costs and supply/demand of labor. Work hard at whatever you do, obtain capital (you're still in the West, it's still much easier here than elsewhere), and then do something with it that puts you in control. Ownership of capital and income from said capital is the key thing to obtaining independence.
tldr; Your parents had no idea what the fuck they are talking about. Traditional concepts like working for two or three corporations in your life time, even obtaining a mortgage, are flying out the window, it's just going to take some time for everybody to cotton on. What has happened is that supply and demand has dramatically changed, but not everybody gets it yet, least of all the educational establishments or your average 30/40 something. They think it's going to change "after the recession". No, it ain't. Wages are going to be like this from here on out. This implies either a massive deflation in house prices or you guys will be renting for the rest of your lives. Since your parents were dumbassed enough to put all their savings into real estate capital accumulation strategies and are now hanging on like frightened rabbits, it's probably the second for a while at least. I mean seriously, do the actual math for your average 20 something, that's what it is for most of them.
-
Thanks for the beautiful reminder DPR. There is a scale that we are really tipping that needs to level out for the sake of everything.
-
It's great to see that my words are resonating with so many of you. It's a privilege to have a stage to speak from here. It doesn't get said enough, and it is hard to get across in this medium, but... I love you <3
Who knew that a softy could lead an international narcotics organization? Behind my wall of anonymity, I don't have to intimidate, thankfully. But yea, I love you guys. Thank you for being here. Thank you for being my comrades. Thank you for being yourselves and bringing your unique perspectives and energy. And on a personal note, thank you for giving me the best job in the world. I've never had so much fun! I know we've been at it for over a year now, but really, we are JUST getting started. I'm so excited and anxious for our future I could burst ;D
Stay Free, is Tiesto here for dance4life?
-
Silk road is nice because it's a fuck-you of sorts to the powers that be...
...but...
It will have no impact whatsoever on the so called war on drugs. It's not going to affect government in any meaningful way. Agorism is a pretty lame strategy. It may even backfire (from the point of view of agorists) and cause the government to ban tor or bitcoin or both. Of course it can be done, just ask ISPs to do a bit of traffic shaping.
Lastly, DPR is doing this for the money.
-
It's great to see that my words are resonating with so many of you. It's a privilege to have a stage to speak from here. It doesn't get said enough, and it is hard to get across in this medium, but... I love you <3
I love you too man.
It's good to finally be home. Thanks.
-
blahblahblahblah stupid argument blahblahblahblahblahblahblah
-
Silk road is nice because it's a fuck-you of sorts to the powers that be...
...but...
It will have no impact whatsoever on the so called war on drugs. It's not going to affect government in any meaningful way. Agorism is a pretty lame strategy. It may even backfire (from the point of view of agorists) and cause the government to ban tor or bitcoin or both. Of course it can be done, just ask ISPs to do a bit of traffic shaping.
Lastly, DPR is doing this for the money.
Even if DPR was doing this just for the money, he's had a positive effect on my life for the past few months. :)
I think SR's impact will be more evolutionary than revolutionary. I truly believe this is the first step in an inevitable take back of power from our governments. Not the complete redistribution of power that some anarchists wish for, more a tipping in the balance of power over the individual.
I do worry about the part ISPs may play in this. Could our governments legislate to get ISPs to ban our access to TOR and the like? If all ISPs shut down our access to TOR would there be another option for us? Can someone who understands this fill me in, thanks,
-
I feel bad that DPR can't have anyone in the outside world to talk to. DPR - you are one of the most enlightened middle men that I've ever run into - you deserve someone IRL to talk to and share your vision. However - you are right to not do so. Most of the smartest and most skillful who disobey are taken down by sharing themselves IRL. Watch your back man. You have to know that everyone here loves you-
This is bigger than any one man (or woman) too. If you fall, we will rise to continue god's work. You will not be forgotten. Just the first of the New Order Revolutionaries. Our own Che Guerra-
-
Thank you for expressing a dissenting viewpoint. I appreciate a civilized debate, so allow me to respond.
Silk road is nice because it's a fuck-you of sorts to the powers that be...
...but...
It will have no impact whatsoever on the so called war on drugs. It's not going to affect government in any meaningful way. Agorism is a pretty lame strategy. It may even backfire (from the point of view of agorists) and cause the government to ban tor or bitcoin or both. Of course it can be done, just ask ISPs to do a bit of traffic shaping.
Lastly, DPR is doing this for the money.
Silk Road has already made an impact on the war on drugs. The effect of the war is to limit people's access to controlled substances. Silk Road has expanded people's access. The great thing about agorism is that it is a victory from a thousand battles. Every single transaction that takes place outside the nexus of state control is a victory for those individuals taking part in the transaction. So there are thousands of victories here each week and each one makes a difference, strengthens the agora, and weakens the state.
The state may try to ban our tools, but if we never use them for fear of them being banned, then we have already lost, no? Personally, I don't think they can be effectively banned at this point. Iran and China, for example, are actively trying and failing.
On your last point, we agree, though I'd like to add some clarification. Money is one motivating factor for me. If it wasn't I wouldn't impose a commission on trades, or require vendors to use the Silk Road payment processor. Money motivates me for two reasons. For one, I have basic human needs that money allows me to meet so that I may devote my time to our cause. I also enjoy a few first-world pleasures that I feel I have earned, but nothing extravagant. In fact, compared to most I know, I still live quite frugally. I buy better food at the grocery store now, and got some new clothes, and am more generous with my friends and loved ones, but I've always been a cheap ass, and still kinda am out of habit. Besides that, I don't want the attention that buying big toys brings for security reasons.
More importantly, money is powerful, and it's going to take power to affect the kinds of changes I want to see. Money allows us to expand our infrastructure and manpower to accommodate the growing demands of our market and to pursue paths that will compliment and strengthen what's already been created here.
All that being said, my primary motivation is not personal wealth, but making a difference. As corny as it sounds, I just want to look back on my life and know that I did something worthwhile that helped people. It's fulfilling to me. If you don't know this joy, you may hear my words as insincere and as a way to manipulate, but I know they are true and resonate with some of you. There is nothing wrong with living your life to maximize your own pleasure, so long as you aren't hurting anyone in the process, but you will miss out on higher levels of happiness if your focus is always on yourself. It's paradoxical, but the less you focus on your own happiness and focus on other's, the happier you'll be. Try it out, you can always go back to being selfish :)
-
More importantly, money is powerful, and it's going to take power to affect the kinds of changes I want to see. Money allows us to expand our infrastructure and manpower to accommodate the growing demands of our market and to pursue paths that will compliment and strengthen what's already been created here.
Nice to hear. :)
Also I know you said you don't want the attention but I'd be fucking jonesing for a Lotus if I were you DPR. Have you seen the Evora? They are like eye-crack.
-
i love you, DPR
-
All that being said, my primary motivation is not personal wealth, but making a difference. As corny as it sounds, I just want to look back on my life and know that I did something worthwhile that helped people. It's fulfilling to me. If you don't know this joy, you may hear my words as insincere and as a way to manipulate, but I know they are true and resonate with some of you. There is nothing wrong with living your life to maximize your own pleasure, so long as you aren't hurting anyone in the process, but you will miss out on higher levels of happiness if your focus is always on yourself. It's paradoxical, but the less you focus on your own happiness and focus on other's, the happier you'll be. Try it out, you can always go back to being selfish :)
Beautifully written. So much achieved in such a short time, the only way is up! You've already helped so many people, giving them the freedom to do as they wish, with many more to come I'm sure. Keep up the great work, your truly inspirational! :)
-
DPR is a bad mofo 8)
hey DPR make sure you get one of those ;)
http://www.bmfwallets.com/
-
I'm breathing free air for the very first time.
-
The difference between Silk Road and BMR is DPR.
Long may Silk Road be the beacon of light shining against the dark night sky, until a new dawn is ushered in.
And with that I bid you goodnight (in the UK). ;)
-
Thank you for your reply, Mr. Pirate.
I should add that part of my comments were sincere but I was also playing devil's advocate.
Money allows us to expand our infrastructure and manpower to accommodate the growing demands of our market
If the market gets too big, perhaps it should be decentralized somehow? If you are the only person in
charge of a big 'illegal' market, you are more likely to get caught? Also, in that scenario the market has a single point of failure.
Apologies if this has already been mentioned (likely)
-
Silk Road has already made an impact on the war on drugs. The effect of the war is to limit people's access to controlled substances. Silk Road has expanded people's access. The great thing about agorism is that it is a victory from a thousand battles. Every single transaction that takes place outside the nexus of state control is a victory for those individuals taking part in the transaction. So there are thousands of victories here each week and each one makes a difference, strengthens the agora, and weakens the state.
Of course it has its! Silkroad has had a huge effect on the drugs war, many people finally have free access to just about any drug you can think of, and this is just the start the word is still spreading and the more fuss the governments around the world make about it the better cos all they are doing is spreading the word, every time a person opens a package or clicks "place order" thats one more little win. there is also the unseen effects like the increase in demand with pushes prices down for the end user and increases drug activity further stretching law enforcements budgets and time in the middle of a recession.
The state may try to ban our tools, but if we never use them for fear of them being banned, then we have already lost, no? Personally, I don't think they can be effectively banned at this point. Iran and China, for example, are actively trying and failing.
I dont think they could ban either of the tools we use simply because tor is to far spread that it would take huge countries agreeing with each other for once and lets face if there just not able to do it at the best of times the software would still get distributed and bitcoins would just be pushed in to an underground market, if made its illegal to own a coin its not really going to bother us is it? the system already exists, people would find a way around it.
On your last point, we agree, though I'd like to add some clarification. Money is one motivating factor for me. If it wasn't I wouldn't impose a commission on trades, or require vendors to use the Silk Road payment processor. Money motivates me for two reasons. For one, I have basic human needs that money allows me to meet so that I may devote my time to our cause. I also enjoy a few first-world pleasures that I feel I have earned, but nothing extravagant. In fact, compared to most I know, I still live quite frugally. I buy better food at the grocery store now, and got some new clothes, and am more generous with my friends and loved ones, but I've always been a cheap ass, and still kinda am out of habit. Besides that, I don't want the attention that buying big toys brings for security reasons.
More importantly, money is powerful, and it's going to take power to affect the kinds of changes I want to see. Money allows us to expand our infrastructure and manpower to accommodate the growing demands of our market and to pursue paths that will compliment and strengthen what's already been created here.
DPR you fully deserve to have the finer things in life for the happiness you have spread, for every time some one opens there mail and gets that product that a year ago was impossible to get there hands on, and the only changes you have made to your own life is better food and clothes? come on man treat yourself a bit more.
All that being said, my primary motivation is not personal wealth, but making a difference. As corny as it sounds, I just want to look back on my life and know that I did something worthwhile that helped people. It's fulfilling to me. If you don't know this joy, you may hear my words as insincere and as a way to manipulate, but I know they are true and resonate with some of you. There is nothing wrong with living your life to maximize your own pleasure, so long as you aren't hurting anyone in the process, but you will miss out on higher levels of happiness if your focus is always on yourself. It's paradoxical, but the less you focus on your own happiness and focus on other's, the happier you'll be. Try it out, you can always go back to being selfish :)
DPR you have made the biggest difference anyone has ever made when it comes to peoples freedom and allowed them there own free choice, you have given work to many people and have created hope for the future, this site and the people here are some of the best people i have had the chance to meet, we are all in this fight together and i for one will fight it until my last breath, you are a part of history this story will not go untold no matter what the future holds we have all been a part of history and we continue to be every day!
-
DPR, you are my hero.
-
DPR, I swear to god every time I read a post of yours I fall in love a little bit more. Seriously, if this site was run by anyone else, I have a feeling it would be shitty and would fit in nicely with the other bullshit drug-selling sites. Your philosophy follows mine basically 100%. Some people really don't think that anyone can do anything for unselfish reasons. Like for example, I sell some MDMA on the side, and I always give first-time users a huge discount because it generally makes me happy to watch these people experience this amazing feeling that they never see coming. But I have some people who are like, "Dude, you're obviously just trying to get people hooked to make more money in the long run." It's just unbelievable. People like to think that all drug users/sellers are selfish scumbags, but that's basically missing the entire point of using certain drugs. It's a mindset difficult to get out of, but you and your amazing website are doing something about it. I mean, look at that 4/20 sale. I'm sure the additional sales increased your commission, but you gave away like items that totalled were worth thousands of Bitcoins, and you gave someone an awesome vacation. You didn't need to do that. Maybe it got new customers interested or something, but I could just tell reading all your posts about it that you were legitimately excited to help out your customers. And it was awesome. You're awesome. Fuck, that's it, you're just fucking awesome. I feel about you the way I feel about strangers when I'm rolling.
-
Wise words as always DPR, you make me a big rubbery one.
I see Silk Road as the first step of many towards us having a sensible worldwide drug discussion...
I'm not sure about that big rubbery one DPR made for you, but I sure hope you know how to handle it. As for the sensible drug discussion, at least the Guatemalan president Molino is getting on with it. Hopefully our fake-ass Republican nominee and out fake -ass Democrat incumbent will do something as brave. Neither one is worth an ounce of straight up DPR! 8)
Modzi
-
All that being said, my primary motivation is not personal wealth, but making a difference. As corny as it sounds, I just want to look back on my life and know that I did something worthwhile that helped people. It's fulfilling to me. If you don't know this joy, you may hear my words as insincere and as a way to manipulate, but I know they are true and resonate with some of you. There is nothing wrong with living your life to maximize your own pleasure, so long as you aren't hurting anyone in the process, but you will miss out on higher levels of happiness if your focus is always on yourself. It's paradoxical, but the less you focus on your own happiness and focus on other's, the happier you'll be. Try it out, you can always go back to being selfish :)
^THIS^
-
The state may try to ban our tools, but if we never use them for fear of them being banned, then we have already lost, no? Personally, I don't think they can be effectively banned at this point. Iran and China, for example, are actively trying and failing.
Yes, unfortunately one has to be careful not to become too large of a target or a 'problem' for the state. As more and more resources will be allocated and eventually cause problems. De-centralize, duplicate, and separate. Leaving for 24hrs and having everything go down the tube until you return is not a safe position to be in, surely you can understand this?
On your last point, we agree, though I'd like to add some clarification. Money is one motivating factor for me. If it wasn't I wouldn't impose a commission on trades, or require vendors to use the Silk Road payment processor. Money motivates me for two reasons. For one, I have basic human needs that money allows me to meet so that I may devote my time to our cause. I also enjoy a few first-world pleasures that I feel I have earned, but nothing extravagant. In fact, compared to most I know, I still live quite frugally. I buy better food at the grocery store now, and got some new clothes, and am more generous with my friends and loved ones, but I've always been a cheap ass, and still kinda am out of habit. Besides that, I don't want the attention that buying big toys brings for security reasons.
More importantly, money is powerful, and it's going to take power to affect the kinds of changes I want to see. Money allows us to expand our infrastructure and manpower to accommodate the growing demands of our market and to pursue paths that will compliment and strengthen what's already been created here.
This is why this man has been able to succeed so far. He understands how things work and these two paragraphs make that very clear to anyone that has doubts.
It's paradoxical, but the less you focus on your own happiness and focus on other's, the happier you'll be. Try it out, you can always go back to being selfish :)
:) There is no going back once you've tried,
-
has anyone seen the Berserk anime series? DPR really reminds me of Griffith...
-
Hey gang,
Dread Pirate Roberts
DPR, you should know it's not smart to express such ideas, as personally felt as they are, in this forum, monitored as I'm sure it is by feds and other disgusting creatures of the night. There are any number of software creations extant that can be used to compare your style of writing, ideological conceits, and who knows what else to try to pigeonhole you according to previous writings you may have done and published/posted in the past.
It's the work of ants, but even ants can slowly erode a mountain. For your security and ours and the site's, delete this and other similar kinds of threads and posts. Better to be unknown and safe than famous and... caught.
goblin
-
For me at least, DPR this was inspirational. And something I will continue to think about for days to come. Thank you for your tireless efforts, and for sharing this with us.
-
DPR is a job-creator, period. Mitch McConnell, Nancy Pelosi, blah blah whatever flavor of blabbering politician you like, they're all jizzing in their pants all the time about these *godsends,* these *heroes* who create jobs for *hard-working* Americans. They should love them the dread pirate.
The ILF finds the part about buying better food and new clothes -- and being more generous! -- really telling and sweet. Because "lifestyle" isn't really, in the end, about how you spend your money. It's about how you spend your time, and if you can spend it doing meaningful things, or even just meaningful to you, then your lifestyle HAS changed, dramatically so. If you can make the same amount of money doing something you want to do as you were making at your slave job, then the choice is clear. Heck, it's probably worth it to make LESS doing something you want than at your slave job! But if you can make more, how cool is that?
ZOMG we are kind of nervous just writing this, in part because words are too limited, not enough, to even express what is going on here on the Road. We wish we could give the Dread Pirate and crew, all the vendors, and all the buyers -- especially those who have bought from us, lol -- everybody, just a huge fucking hug. It's sad we can't interact in the way humans have for millenia, but it's the State who is stopping that. Still, the first time one of the ILF took E, and many times since on E or mushrooms or cactus etc., he felt that he was part of some global, nay, universal underground. It's palpable. Whether the Mysteries of Eleusis of the East or the sacred mushroom and cactus ceremonies of the West, there is a communication going on here that transcends any words typed on a screen. And we pray *that* cannot be stopped. All the laws and all the oppression and all the violence cannot drive us out.
Madison Avenue can't advertise them, Walmart can't sell them, and the people who are involved with them are always in danger of draconian punishments, yet the demand for and use of entheogens is still huge. What does that say about their value?
So true about the feeling of peace that comes from doing something that you believe is truly a part of something healing, something beautiful, for yourself AND other people. Also so true that it's a bit de-realizing not being able to talk about it in the physical world. When someone, to make small talk, asks what you did today, it's crazy having to live with the fear that telling the truth could lead to your whole life crumbling. But that's the bargain, and it's worth it. And that's a huge part of what makes this community so special -- because here we can talk about it. And even if it did all crumble tomorrow (and in the end, death will come anyway), everyone that's a part of SR, everyone that's been a part of any struggle for freedom, can go out knowing that s/he was a part of something beautiful, can tell the higher Judge that s/he answers to that s/he said, "Yes."
This place, this community, is *direct action*. We aren't just talking about how to change the world; we're doing it!
Love y'all!
-
When I joined this site I was shocked, people selling drugs online? Yeah okay, where do I enter my social security number? Then I entered the community and immediately got sucked in, made my first purchases from overseas and they arrived professionally packed, I was amazed. I wanted to become a part of this movement so I decided to become a seller and offer my medical marijuana edibles, I didn't think people would have much interest because no one was even selling edibles (except willywonka and his wonderful candies). Then my edibles blew up and I could barely handle the demand, it really made an impact on my life because like you DPR my intentions from the beginning were never to make wealth but rather to share my creations (with the help of the baker of course). It was great knowing that I was helping people with cancer across the country that didn't have medical marijuana available or just helping people out having a hard time.
Thank you DPR, DigitalAlch, the rest of the admins, and most importantly the community, both buyers and vendors!
-
Well said DPR. God damn i love this site
:)
-
Great Read!!.. Very well said........freedom fighters...revolutionaries....programmers.. administrators...anyone who believes in personal liberties...."take notice"....You can't stop an idea....can't wait to see what the future holds.....
-
DPR, you should talk to us more often.
-
Hello, someone posted a faster login link on the the thread and ever since i tried it I cannot login and i have bunch of coins in there.. Can you please take a minute and help me out.. My pgp key matches my indentity and email that I used to sign up in the first place.. Also Jesusofrave can vouche for me.. I have also made a couple threads on it.. I maxed out my pin tries on my account as I didnt use it for a very long time and then logged out and tried to log back in and it keeps saying login failed and now I am just worried my account has been compromised... Please help me out..
You can even email me on the email that is listed for the account crazycanadian in the marketplace.. thank you.. and just in case
crazycanadian@tormail.net/crazycanadian@tormail.org. thank you.
-
All that being said, my primary motivation is not personal wealth, but making a difference. As corny as it sounds, I just want to look back on my life and know that I did something worthwhile that helped people. It's fulfilling to me. If you don't know this joy, you may hear my words as insincere and as a way to manipulate, but I know they are true and resonate with some of you. There is nothing wrong with living your life to maximize your own pleasure, so long as you aren't hurting anyone in the process, but you will miss out on higher levels of happiness if your focus is always on yourself. It's paradoxical, but the less you focus on your own happiness and focus on other's, the happier you'll be. Try it out, you can always go back to being selfish :)
Amen.
Seeing where you get your motivation from fills me with confidence, your intentions are pure. I would take a bullet for you, sir.
-
My God, you look so much like my ex it's disturbing!
Silk Road has already made an impact on the war on drugs. The effect of the war is to limit people's access to controlled substances. Silk Road has expanded people's access.
. we do only make up like 0.00000001% of the worlds illict drug trade still
thats right.. a full 22 million in the last year out of what 1-2-5-10 trillion in the big picture...
Seeing things like that make me feel much better about using SR
Small fish to federals, big impact to yourselves? Drugs were sold to some people. Some received them. Some received long prison sentences. It's ridiculous to call it a huge effect on the war on drugs. It doesn't matter at all what philosophy is used; agorism, anarcho-capitalism, radicalism etc. If the leaders are not able to estimate what harm could be done if more people were to use the site, and what harm has already been done, they are not adequate, in the best case, and are dangerous for themselves and others.
No matter what I find negative here anyway, the government is the only reason why that occurs.
-
This post here just made my respect level for you go up 1000 fold!
It's interesting you're so literate in things outside computers and drugs etc that you deal with on a daily basis.
You sound very much like myself actually it's disturbing.
I'm curious have you read much Orwell or Spinoza and Voltaire and more curiously, Ayn Rand???
If so what are your thoughts on Objectivism and how it can apply to the liberalis society we establish "if we are successful... and we will be" (to quote the demagogue himself Bush)?
It's a huge relief to know it's really you DPR and not LEO, because this is the DPR we've been missing, that led many of us to think you jumped ship and left us in incapable hands!!!
Surely you must have listened to Chistopher Hitchens or read some of his works, along with probably Richard Dawkins, but can I recommend another brilliant author and neuroscientist Sam Harris, as well as well as Lawrence Krauss who has basically shown the age old religious question of how we get something from nothing.
I should probably be on punishment battalion for being a Thomas but hey, you can't deny there were many things you could have handled better and it's probably the n00bs (no offence n00bs) that made things feel different by inundating a ridiculously tight team with requests of assistance, myself included.
Good to see things back to normal (except my being locked out of my account and missing funds which will turn up I know now once you've sorted out my account password issues BUT PLEASE GOD NOT BEFORE!)
- JWM
Hey gang,
I read more than I post in the forum, and my posts are rarely of a personal nature. For some reason the mood struck me just now to put the revolution down for a minute and just express a few things. There is a curtain of anonymity and secrecy that covers everything that goes on behind the scenes here. It is often fast paced and stressful behind this curtain and I rarely lift my head long enough to take in just how amazing all of this is. But when I do I am filled with inspiration and hope for the future. Here's a little story about what inspires me:
For years I was frustrated and defeated by what seemed to be insurmountable barriers between the world today and the world I wanted. I searched long and hard for the truth about what is right and wrong and good for humanity. I argued with, learned from, and read the works of brilliant people in search of the truth. It's a damn hard thing to do too with all of the misinformation and distractions in the sea of opinion we live in. But eventually I found something I could agree with whole heartedly. Something that made sense, was simple, elegant and consistent in all cases. I'm talking about the Austrian Economic theory, voluntaryism, anarcho-capitalism, agorism etc. espoused by the likes of Mises and Rothbard before their deaths, and Salerno and Rockwell today.
From their works, I understood the mechanics of liberty, and the effects of tyranny. But such vision was a curse. Everywhere I looked I saw the State, and the horrible withering effects it had on the human spirit. It was horribly depressing. Like waking from a restless dream to find yourself in a cage with no way out. But I also saw free spirits trying to break free of their chains, doing everything they could to serve their fellow man and provide for themselves and their loved ones. I saw the magical and powerful wealth creating effect of the market, the way it fostered cooperation, civility and tolerance. How it made trading partners out of strangers or even enemies. How it coordinates the actions of every person on the planet in ways too complex for any one mind to fathom to produce an overflowing abundance of wealth, where nothing is wasted and where power and responsibility are directed to those most deserving and able. I saw a better way, but knew of no way to get there.
I read everything I could to deepen my understanding of economics and liberty, but it was all intellectual, there was no call to action except to tell the people around me what I had learned and hopefully get them to see the light. That was until I read “Alongside night” and the works of Samuel Edward Konkin III. At last the missing puzzle piece! All of the sudden it was so clear: every action you take outside the scope of government control strengthens the market and weakens the state. I saw how the state lives parasitically off the productive people of the world, and how quickly it would crumble if it didn't have it's tax revenues. No soldiers if you can't pay them. No drug war without billions of dollars being siphoned off the very people you are oppressing.
For the first time I saw the drug cartels and the dealers, and every person in the whole damn supply chain in a different light. Some, especially the cartels, are basically a defacto violent power hungry state, and surely would love nothing more than to take control of a national government, but you average joe pot dealer, who wouldn't hurt a fly, that guy became my hero. By making his living outside the purview of the state, he was depriving it of his precious life force, the product of his efforts. He was free. People like him, little by little, weakened the state and strengthened the market.
It wasn't long, maybe a year or two after this realization that the pieces started coming together for the Silk Road, and what a ride it has been. No longer do I feel ANY frustration. In fact I am at peace in the knowledge that every day I have more I can do to breath life into a truly revolutionary and free market than I have hours in the day. I walk tall, proud and free, knowing that the actions I take eat away at the infrastructure that keeps oppression alive.
We are like a little seed in a big jungle that has just broken the surface of the forest floor. It's a big scary jungle with lots of dangerous creatures, each honed by evolution to survive in the hostile environment known as human society. All manner of corporation, government agency, small family businesses, anything that can gain a foothold and survive. But the environment is rapidly changing and the jungle has never seen a species quite like the Silk Road. You can see it, but you can't touch it. It is elusive, yet powerful, and we are evolving at a rapid clip, experimenting, trying to find sturdy ground we can put roots down in.
Will we and others like us someday grow to be tall hardwoods? Will we reshape the landscape of society as we know it? What if one day we had enough power to maintain a physical presence on the globe, where we shunned the parasites and upheld the rule of law, where the right to privacy and property was unquestioned and enshrined in the very structure of society. Where police are our servants and protectors beholden to their customers, the people. Where our leaders earn their power and responsibility in the harsh and unforgiving furnace of the free market and not from behind a gun, where the opportunities to create and enjoy wealth are as boundless as one's imagination.
Some day, we could be a shining beacon of hope for the oppressed people of the world just as so many oppressed and violated souls have found refuge here already. Will it happen overnight? No. Will it happen in a lifetime? I don't know. Is it worth fighting for until my last breath. Of course. Once you've seen what's possible, how can you do otherwise? How can you plug yourself into the tax eating, life sucking, violent, sadistic, war mongering, oppressive machine ever again? How can you kneel when you've felt the power of your own legs? Felt them stretch and flex as you learn to walk and think as a free person? I would rather live my life in rags now than in golden chains. And now we can have both! Now it is profitable to throw off one's chains, with amazing crypto technology reducing the risk of doing so dramatically. How many niches have yet to be filled in the world of anonymous online markets? The opportunity to prosper and take part in a revolution of epic proportions is at our fingertips!
I have no one to share my thoughts with in physical space. Security does not permit it, so thanks for listening. I hope my words can be an inspiration just as I am given so much by everyone here.
Dread Pirate Roberts
-
DPR, you should talk to us more often.
This
@DPR: Your post and from the scratches of information I had derived from your posts, you remind me a lot of V (from V for Vendetta), a character I love greatly. I understand your point, I really do. I even agree with it. In a world based on Darwinism, the only choice we have is to fight each man for themselves, together (quite a paradox).
This post here just made my respect level for you go up 1000 fold!
It's interesting you're so literate in things outside computers and drugs etc that you deal with on a daily basis.
You sound very much like myself actually it's disturbing.
I'm curious have you read much Orwell or Spinoza and Voltaire and more curiously, Ayn Rand???
If so what are your thoughts on Objectivism and how it can apply to the liberalis society we establish "if we are successful... and we will be" (to quote the demagogue himself Bush)?
It's a huge relief to know it's really you DPR and not LEO, because this is the DPR we've been missing, that led many of us to think you jumped ship and left us in incapable hands!!!
Surely you must have listened to Chistopher Hitchens or read some of his works, along with probably Richard Dawkins, but can I recommend another brilliant author and neuroscientist Sam Harris, as well as well as Lawrence Krauss who has basically shown the age old religious question of how we get something from nothing.
I should probably be on punishment battalion for being a Thomas but hey, you can't deny there were many things you could have handled better and it's probably the n00bs (no offence n00bs) that made things feel different by inundating a ridiculously tight team with requests of assistance, myself included.
Good to see things back to normal (except my being locked out of my account and missing funds which will turn up I know now once you've sorted out my account password issues BUT PLEASE GOD NOT BEFORE!)
- JWM
Hey gang,
I read more than I post in the forum, and my posts are rarely of a personal nature. For some reason the mood struck me just now to put the revolution down for a minute and just express a few things. There is a curtain of anonymity and secrecy that covers everything that goes on behind the scenes here. It is often fast paced and stressful behind this curtain and I rarely lift my head long enough to take in just how amazing all of this is. But when I do I am filled with inspiration and hope for the future. Here's a little story about what inspires me:
For years I was frustrated and defeated by what seemed to be insurmountable barriers between the world today and the world I wanted. I searched long and hard for the truth about what is right and wrong and good for humanity. I argued with, learned from, and read the works of brilliant people in search of the truth. It's a damn hard thing to do too with all of the misinformation and distractions in the sea of opinion we live in. But eventually I found something I could agree with whole heartedly. Something that made sense, was simple, elegant and consistent in all cases. I'm talking about the Austrian Economic theory, voluntaryism, anarcho-capitalism, agorism etc. espoused by the likes of Mises and Rothbard before their deaths, and Salerno and Rockwell today.
From their works, I understood the mechanics of liberty, and the effects of tyranny. But such vision was a curse. Everywhere I looked I saw the State, and the horrible withering effects it had on the human spirit. It was horribly depressing. Like waking from a restless dream to find yourself in a cage with no way out. But I also saw free spirits trying to break free of their chains, doing everything they could to serve their fellow man and provide for themselves and their loved ones. I saw the magical and powerful wealth creating effect of the market, the way it fostered cooperation, civility and tolerance. How it made trading partners out of strangers or even enemies. How it coordinates the actions of every person on the planet in ways too complex for any one mind to fathom to produce an overflowing abundance of wealth, where nothing is wasted and where power and responsibility are directed to those most deserving and able. I saw a better way, but knew of no way to get there.
I read everything I could to deepen my understanding of economics and liberty, but it was all intellectual, there was no call to action except to tell the people around me what I had learned and hopefully get them to see the light. That was until I read “Alongside night” and the works of Samuel Edward Konkin III. At last the missing puzzle piece! All of the sudden it was so clear: every action you take outside the scope of government control strengthens the market and weakens the state. I saw how the state lives parasitically off the productive people of the world, and how quickly it would crumble if it didn't have it's tax revenues. No soldiers if you can't pay them. No drug war without billions of dollars being siphoned off the very people you are oppressing.
For the first time I saw the drug cartels and the dealers, and every person in the whole damn supply chain in a different light. Some, especially the cartels, are basically a defacto violent power hungry state, and surely would love nothing more than to take control of a national government, but you average joe pot dealer, who wouldn't hurt a fly, that guy became my hero. By making his living outside the purview of the state, he was depriving it of his precious life force, the product of his efforts. He was free. People like him, little by little, weakened the state and strengthened the market.
It wasn't long, maybe a year or two after this realization that the pieces started coming together for the Silk Road, and what a ride it has been. No longer do I feel ANY frustration. In fact I am at peace in the knowledge that every day I have more I can do to breath life into a truly revolutionary and free market than I have hours in the day. I walk tall, proud and free, knowing that the actions I take eat away at the infrastructure that keeps oppression alive.
We are like a little seed in a big jungle that has just broken the surface of the forest floor. It's a big scary jungle with lots of dangerous creatures, each honed by evolution to survive in the hostile environment known as human society. All manner of corporation, government agency, small family businesses, anything that can gain a foothold and survive. But the environment is rapidly changing and the jungle has never seen a species quite like the Silk Road. You can see it, but you can't touch it. It is elusive, yet powerful, and we are evolving at a rapid clip, experimenting, trying to find sturdy ground we can put roots down in.
Will we and others like us someday grow to be tall hardwoods? Will we reshape the landscape of society as we know it? What if one day we had enough power to maintain a physical presence on the globe, where we shunned the parasites and upheld the rule of law, where the right to privacy and property was unquestioned and enshrined in the very structure of society. Where police are our servants and protectors beholden to their customers, the people. Where our leaders earn their power and responsibility in the harsh and unforgiving furnace of the free market and not from behind a gun, where the opportunities to create and enjoy wealth are as boundless as one's imagination.
Some day, we could be a shining beacon of hope for the oppressed people of the world just as so many oppressed and violated souls have found refuge here already. Will it happen overnight? No. Will it happen in a lifetime? I don't know. Is it worth fighting for until my last breath. Of course. Once you've seen what's possible, how can you do otherwise? How can you plug yourself into the tax eating, life sucking, violent, sadistic, war mongering, oppressive machine ever again? How can you kneel when you've felt the power of your own legs? Felt them stretch and flex as you learn to walk and think as a free person? I would rather live my life in rags now than in golden chains. And now we can have both! Now it is profitable to throw off one's chains, with amazing crypto technology reducing the risk of doing so dramatically. How many niches have yet to be filled in the world of anonymous online markets? The opportunity to prosper and take part in a revolution of epic proportions is at our fingertips!
I have no one to share my thoughts with in physical space. Security does not permit it, so thanks for listening. I hope my words can be an inspiration just as I am given so much by everyone here.
Dread Pirate Roberts
Not saying that the DPR we know now isn't the "original" but this was posted in March 2012.
-
The world's not based on Darwinism at all mate, it's based on religious indoctrination. From the State to your Churches and Synagogues, it's all designed to make us accept a hierarchical system which is why, as Richard Dawkins brilliant doco you can see on JewTube, Religion Is The Root Of All Evil, and I can't recommend highly enough listening to AdamVSTheMan for your daily Libertarian news (as well as RT) and it's started from childhood so that by the time people reach adulthood they're minds are molded to think a certain way.
You must read Animal Farm and 1984 by George Orwell!
Also listen to Joe Rogans podcast called The Joe Rogan Experience and here, this link is fucking epic (a word I seldom use)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFKtgrchgMQ
DPR, you should talk to us more often.
This
@DPR: Your post and from the scratches of information I had derived from your posts, you remind me a lot of V (from V for Vendetta), a character I love greatly. I understand your point, I really do. I even agree with it. In a world based on Darwinism, the only choice we have is to fight each man for themselves, together (quite a paradox).
-
The world's not based on Darwinism at all mate, it's based on religious indoctrination. From the State to your Churches and Synagogues, it's all designed to make us accept a hierarchical system which is why, as Richard Dawkins brilliant doco you can see on JewTube, Religion Is The Root Of All Evil, and I can't recommend highly enough listening to AdamVSTheMan for your daily Libertarian news (as well as RT) and it's started from childhood so that by the time people reach adulthood they're minds are molded to think a certain way.
You must read Animal Farm and 1984 by George Orwell!
Also listen to Joe Rogans podcast called The Joe Rogan Experience and here, this link is fucking epic (a word I seldom use)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFKtgrchgMQ
DPR, you should talk to us more often.
This
@DPR: Your post and from the scratches of information I had derived from your posts, you remind me a lot of V (from V for Vendetta), a character I love greatly. I understand your point, I really do. I even agree with it. In a world based on Darwinism, the only choice we have is to fight each man for themselves, together (quite a paradox).
I have read the book, it's great. That reminded me of Pink Floyd's Album: Animals, which is essentially very much like this post (capitalism, the sheep [citizens] overpower the authorities).
Also, it kind of matters where you live. Not everyone is continuously exposed to religious indoctrination, some countries more than others (obviously). I do think that Darwin's evolution theory is widely accepted though. In the middle east, for example religious indoctrination is a major role in many lives, other more "advanced" countries are much more exposed to Darwinism.
-
Atlas Shrugged?
The world's not based on Darwinism at all mate, it's based on religious indoctrination. From the State to your Churches and Synagogues, it's all designed to make us accept a hierarchical system which is why, as Richard Dawkins brilliant doco you can see on JewTube, Religion Is The Root Of All Evil, and I can't recommend highly enough listening to AdamVSTheMan for your daily Libertarian news (as well as RT) and it's started from childhood so that by the time people reach adulthood they're minds are molded to think a certain way.
You must read Animal Farm and 1984 by George Orwell!
Also listen to Joe Rogans podcast called The Joe Rogan Experience and here, this link is fucking epic (a word I seldom use)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFKtgrchgMQ
DPR, you should talk to us more often.
This
@DPR: Your post and from the scratches of information I had derived from your posts, you remind me a lot of V (from V for Vendetta), a character I love greatly. I understand your point, I really do. I even agree with it. In a world based on Darwinism, the only choice we have is to fight each man for themselves, together (quite a paradox).
I have read the book, it's great. That reminded me of Pink Floyd's Album: Dogs, which is essentially very much like this post (capitalism, the sheep [citizens] overpower the authorities).
-
Atlas Shrugged?
The world's not based on Darwinism at all mate, it's based on religious indoctrination. From the State to your Churches and Synagogues, it's all designed to make us accept a hierarchical system which is why, as Richard Dawkins brilliant doco you can see on JewTube, Religion Is The Root Of All Evil, and I can't recommend highly enough listening to AdamVSTheMan for your daily Libertarian news (as well as RT) and it's started from childhood so that by the time people reach adulthood they're minds are molded to think a certain way.
You must read Animal Farm and 1984 by George Orwell!
Also listen to Joe Rogans podcast called The Joe Rogan Experience and here, this link is fucking epic (a word I seldom use)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFKtgrchgMQ
DPR, you should talk to us more often.
This
@DPR: Your post and from the scratches of information I had derived from your posts, you remind me a lot of V (from V for Vendetta), a character I love greatly. I understand your point, I really do. I even agree with it. In a world based on Darwinism, the only choice we have is to fight each man for themselves, together (quite a paradox).
I have read the book, it's great. That reminded me of Pink Floyd's Album: Dogs, which is essentially very much like this post (capitalism, the sheep [citizens] overpower the authorities).
Nope, but I'll look right into that and hopefully start reading it soon! Thanks mate :)
-
Unfortuantely DPR and the admins have no respect for you. Youve been slagging them off all week and spreading allsorts of wild theories. Accusing them off stealing your coins, saying its not the real dpr, saying its dea, le whatever, the list is endless
''You sound very much like myself actually it's disturbing.'' LOL Beleive me mate DPR is nothing like you
donny :)
This post here just made my respect level for you go up 1000 fold!
It's interesting you're so literate in things outside computers and drugs etc that you deal with on a daily basis.
You sound very much like myself actually it's disturbing.
I'm curious have you read much Orwell or Spinoza and Voltaire and more curiously, Ayn Rand???
If so what are your thoughts on Objectivism and how it can apply to the liberalis society we establish "if we are successful... and we will be" (to quote the demagogue himself Bush)?
It's a huge relief to know it's really you DPR and not LEO, because this is the DPR we've been missing, that led many of us to think you jumped ship and left us in incapable hands!!!
Surely you must have listened to Chistopher Hitchens or read some of his works, along with probably Richard Dawkins, but can I recommend another brilliant author and neuroscientist Sam Harris, as well as well as Lawrence Krauss who has basically shown the age old religious question of how we get something from nothing.
I should probably be on punishment battalion for being a Thomas but hey, you can't deny there were many things you could have handled better and it's probably the n00bs (no offence n00bs) that made things feel different by inundating a ridiculously tight team with requests of assistance, myself included.
Good to see things back to normal (except my being locked out of my account and missing funds which will turn up I know now once you've sorted out my account password issues BUT PLEASE GOD NOT BEFORE!)
- JWM
Hey gang,
I read more than I post in the forum, and my posts are rarely of a personal nature. For some reason the mood struck me just now to put the revolution down for a minute and just express a few things. There is a curtain of anonymity and secrecy that covers everything that goes on behind the scenes here. It is often fast paced and stressful behind this curtain and I rarely lift my head long enough to take in just how amazing all of this is. But when I do I am filled with inspiration and hope for the future. Here's a little story about what inspires me:
For years I was frustrated and defeated by what seemed to be insurmountable barriers between the world today and the world I wanted. I searched long and hard for the truth about what is right and wrong and good for humanity. I argued with, learned from, and read the works of brilliant people in search of the truth. It's a damn hard thing to do too with all of the misinformation and distractions in the sea of opinion we live in. But eventually I found something I could agree with whole heartedly. Something that made sense, was simple, elegant and consistent in all cases. I'm talking about the Austrian Economic theory, voluntaryism, anarcho-capitalism, agorism etc. espoused by the likes of Mises and Rothbard before their deaths, and Salerno and Rockwell today.
From their works, I understood the mechanics of liberty, and the effects of tyranny. But such vision was a curse. Everywhere I looked I saw the State, and the horrible withering effects it had on the human spirit. It was horribly depressing. Like waking from a restless dream to find yourself in a cage with no way out. But I also saw free spirits trying to break free of their chains, doing everything they could to serve their fellow man and provide for themselves and their loved ones. I saw the magical and powerful wealth creating effect of the market, the way it fostered cooperation, civility and tolerance. How it made trading partners out of strangers or even enemies. How it coordinates the actions of every person on the planet in ways too complex for any one mind to fathom to produce an overflowing abundance of wealth, where nothing is wasted and where power and responsibility are directed to those most deserving and able. I saw a better way, but knew of no way to get there.
I read everything I could to deepen my understanding of economics and liberty, but it was all intellectual, there was no call to action except to tell the people around me what I had learned and hopefully get them to see the light. That was until I read “Alongside night” and the works of Samuel Edward Konkin III. At last the missing puzzle piece! All of the sudden it was so clear: every action you take outside the scope of government control strengthens the market and weakens the state. I saw how the state lives parasitically off the productive people of the world, and how quickly it would crumble if it didn't have it's tax revenues. No soldiers if you can't pay them. No drug war without billions of dollars being siphoned off the very people you are oppressing.
For the first time I saw the drug cartels and the dealers, and every person in the whole damn supply chain in a different light. Some, especially the cartels, are basically a defacto violent power hungry state, and surely would love nothing more than to take control of a national government, but you average joe pot dealer, who wouldn't hurt a fly, that guy became my hero. By making his living outside the purview of the state, he was depriving it of his precious life force, the product of his efforts. He was free. People like him, little by little, weakened the state and strengthened the market.
It wasn't long, maybe a year or two after this realization that the pieces started coming together for the Silk Road, and what a ride it has been. No longer do I feel ANY frustration. In fact I am at peace in the knowledge that every day I have more I can do to breath life into a truly revolutionary and free market than I have hours in the day. I walk tall, proud and free, knowing that the actions I take eat away at the infrastructure that keeps oppression alive.
We are like a little seed in a big jungle that has just broken the surface of the forest floor. It's a big scary jungle with lots of dangerous creatures, each honed by evolution to survive in the hostile environment known as human society. All manner of corporation, government agency, small family businesses, anything that can gain a foothold and survive. But the environment is rapidly changing and the jungle has never seen a species quite like the Silk Road. You can see it, but you can't touch it. It is elusive, yet powerful, and we are evolving at a rapid clip, experimenting, trying to find sturdy ground we can put roots down in.
Will we and others like us someday grow to be tall hardwoods? Will we reshape the landscape of society as we know it? What if one day we had enough power to maintain a physical presence on the globe, where we shunned the parasites and upheld the rule of law, where the right to privacy and property was unquestioned and enshrined in the very structure of society. Where police are our servants and protectors beholden to their customers, the people. Where our leaders earn their power and responsibility in the harsh and unforgiving furnace of the free market and not from behind a gun, where the opportunities to create and enjoy wealth are as boundless as one's imagination.
Some day, we could be a shining beacon of hope for the oppressed people of the world just as so many oppressed and violated souls have found refuge here already. Will it happen overnight? No. Will it happen in a lifetime? I don't know. Is it worth fighting for until my last breath. Of course. Once you've seen what's possible, how can you do otherwise? How can you plug yourself into the tax eating, life sucking, violent, sadistic, war mongering, oppressive machine ever again? How can you kneel when you've felt the power of your own legs? Felt them stretch and flex as you learn to walk and think as a free person? I would rather live my life in rags now than in golden chains. And now we can have both! Now it is profitable to throw off one's chains, with amazing crypto technology reducing the risk of doing so dramatically. How many niches have yet to be filled in the world of anonymous online markets? The opportunity to prosper and take part in a revolution of epic proportions is at our fingertips!
I have no one to share my thoughts with in physical space. Security does not permit it, so thanks for listening. I hope my words can be an inspiration just as I am given so much by everyone here.
Dread Pirate Roberts
-
Wow this is extremely well written and I agree with 100% of it. I love this place and I'm so glad i found it.
-
You need help... seriously!
You're a fucking nobody mate with the cerebral cortex of a mouse, so piss off can't you see we're having an intellectual discussion. Furthermore they do have respect you fucking brain dead cunt or otherwise they wouldn't be now bending over backwards to help me.
The fact is FUCKHEAD, I was asking people TO THINK, something you can't do without instructions, and let me highlight something for you you fucking dumb dog ALL LIBERTARIANS ARE ALIKE... PERIOD, and intellects even more so! Too bad you don't qualify for that team, back to the subbie bus for you, don't forget to hold your partners hand you don't want to get lost being so blind to reality!!!
Unfortuantely DPR and the admins have no respect for you. Youve been slagging them off all week and spreading allsorts of wild theories. Accusing them off stealing your coins, saying its not the real dpr, saying its dea, le whatever, the list is endless
''You sound very much like myself actually it's disturbing.'' LOL Beleive me mate DPR is nothing like you
donny :)
This post here just made my respect level for you go up 1000 fold!
It's interesting you're so literate in things outside computers and drugs etc that you deal with on a daily basis.
You sound very much like myself actually it's disturbing.
I'm curious have you read much Orwell or Spinoza and Voltaire and more curiously, Ayn Rand???
If so what are your thoughts on Objectivism and how it can apply to the liberalis society we establish "if we are successful... and we will be" (to quote the demagogue himself Bush)?
It's a huge relief to know it's really you DPR and not LEO, because this is the DPR we've been missing, that led many of us to think you jumped ship and left us in incapable hands!!!
Surely you must have listened to Chistopher Hitchens or read some of his works, along with probably Richard Dawkins, but can I recommend another brilliant author and neuroscientist Sam Harris, as well as well as Lawrence Krauss who has basically shown the age old religious question of how we get something from nothing.
I should probably be on punishment battalion for being a Thomas but hey, you can't deny there were many things you could have handled better and it's probably the n00bs (no offence n00bs) that made things feel different by inundating a ridiculously tight team with requests of assistance, myself included.
Good to see things back to normal (except my being locked out of my account and missing funds which will turn up I know now once you've sorted out my account password issues BUT PLEASE GOD NOT BEFORE!)
- JWM
Hey gang,
I read more than I post in the forum, and my posts are rarely of a personal nature. For some reason the mood struck me just now to put the revolution down for a minute and just express a few things. There is a curtain of anonymity and secrecy that covers everything that goes on behind the scenes here. It is often fast paced and stressful behind this curtain and I rarely lift my head long enough to take in just how amazing all of this is. But when I do I am filled with inspiration and hope for the future. Here's a little story about what inspires me:
For years I was frustrated and defeated by what seemed to be insurmountable barriers between the world today and the world I wanted. I searched long and hard for the truth about what is right and wrong and good for humanity. I argued with, learned from, and read the works of brilliant people in search of the truth. It's a damn hard thing to do too with all of the misinformation and distractions in the sea of opinion we live in. But eventually I found something I could agree with whole heartedly. Something that made sense, was simple, elegant and consistent in all cases. I'm talking about the Austrian Economic theory, voluntaryism, anarcho-capitalism, agorism etc. espoused by the likes of Mises and Rothbard before their deaths, and Salerno and Rockwell today.
From their works, I understood the mechanics of liberty, and the effects of tyranny. But such vision was a curse. Everywhere I looked I saw the State, and the horrible withering effects it had on the human spirit. It was horribly depressing. Like waking from a restless dream to find yourself in a cage with no way out. But I also saw free spirits trying to break free of their chains, doing everything they could to serve their fellow man and provide for themselves and their loved ones. I saw the magical and powerful wealth creating effect of the market, the way it fostered cooperation, civility and tolerance. How it made trading partners out of strangers or even enemies. How it coordinates the actions of every person on the planet in ways too complex for any one mind to fathom to produce an overflowing abundance of wealth, where nothing is wasted and where power and responsibility are directed to those most deserving and able. I saw a better way, but knew of no way to get there.
I read everything I could to deepen my understanding of economics and liberty, but it was all intellectual, there was no call to action except to tell the people around me what I had learned and hopefully get them to see the light. That was until I read “Alongside night” and the works of Samuel Edward Konkin III. At last the missing puzzle piece! All of the sudden it was so clear: every action you take outside the scope of government control strengthens the market and weakens the state. I saw how the state lives parasitically off the productive people of the world, and how quickly it would crumble if it didn't have it's tax revenues. No soldiers if you can't pay them. No drug war without billions of dollars being siphoned off the very people you are oppressing.
For the first time I saw the drug cartels and the dealers, and every person in the whole damn supply chain in a different light. Some, especially the cartels, are basically a defacto violent power hungry state, and surely would love nothing more than to take control of a national government, but you average joe pot dealer, who wouldn't hurt a fly, that guy became my hero. By making his living outside the purview of the state, he was depriving it of his precious life force, the product of his efforts. He was free. People like him, little by little, weakened the state and strengthened the market.
It wasn't long, maybe a year or two after this realization that the pieces started coming together for the Silk Road, and what a ride it has been. No longer do I feel ANY frustration. In fact I am at peace in the knowledge that every day I have more I can do to breath life into a truly revolutionary and free market than I have hours in the day. I walk tall, proud and free, knowing that the actions I take eat away at the infrastructure that keeps oppression alive.
We are like a little seed in a big jungle that has just broken the surface of the forest floor. It's a big scary jungle with lots of dangerous creatures, each honed by evolution to survive in the hostile environment known as human society. All manner of corporation, government agency, small family businesses, anything that can gain a foothold and survive. But the environment is rapidly changing and the jungle has never seen a species quite like the Silk Road. You can see it, but you can't touch it. It is elusive, yet powerful, and we are evolving at a rapid clip, experimenting, trying to find sturdy ground we can put roots down in.
Will we and others like us someday grow to be tall hardwoods? Will we reshape the landscape of society as we know it? What if one day we had enough power to maintain a physical presence on the globe, where we shunned the parasites and upheld the rule of law, where the right to privacy and property was unquestioned and enshrined in the very structure of society. Where police are our servants and protectors beholden to their customers, the people. Where our leaders earn their power and responsibility in the harsh and unforgiving furnace of the free market and not from behind a gun, where the opportunities to create and enjoy wealth are as boundless as one's imagination.
Some day, we could be a shining beacon of hope for the oppressed people of the world just as so many oppressed and violated souls have found refuge here already. Will it happen overnight? No. Will it happen in a lifetime? I don't know. Is it worth fighting for until my last breath. Of course. Once you've seen what's possible, how can you do otherwise? How can you plug yourself into the tax eating, life sucking, violent, sadistic, war mongering, oppressive machine ever again? How can you kneel when you've felt the power of your own legs? Felt them stretch and flex as you learn to walk and think as a free person? I would rather live my life in rags now than in golden chains. And now we can have both! Now it is profitable to throw off one's chains, with amazing crypto technology reducing the risk of doing so dramatically. How many niches have yet to be filled in the world of anonymous online markets? The opportunity to prosper and take part in a revolution of epic proportions is at our fingertips!
I have no one to share my thoughts with in physical space. Security does not permit it, so thanks for listening. I hope my words can be an inspiration just as I am given so much by everyone here.
Dread Pirate Roberts
-
LMAO at JezuzWazaMushroom thinking he having an intellectual coversation after the crap hes been posting about DPR and silkroad. If anyone wants a laugh just go on his profile and read his posts its hilariuos.
donny
:)
-
You know what's hilarious?
That I just replied to a message from DPR on here and SR, he fixed my SR account and reserved my BTC for when I'm ready!
I know that you thought I really was going to get ripped didn't you little troll doll, because "DPR, ADMIN and MODS don't respect you" LMFAO, but really what they respect, and it's something you and many others on here lack... BALLS!
The only balls you have are the ones your cousin sticks in your mouth every night before he rapes that clapped out bucket arse of yours!
LMFAO, on here you're the only person I hate, congratulations!
You don't bother me, you know why, no matter what you say or do for the rest of your life, you'll never be what I am, who I am and live how I live.
Enjoy sharing that room with your two homosexual kissing cousins... bitch!
LMAO at JezuzWazaMushroom thinking he having an intellectual coversation after the crap hes been posting about DPR and silkroad. If anyone wants a laugh just go on his profile and read his posts its hilariuos.
donny
:)
-
woah where did all the homosexual stuff come from lol
Im really not interested if they fixed any problems but its hard to beleive anything you say anyway.
Thank god i will never be what you are and live how you live lol
link=topic=16070.msg602526#msg602526 date=1353184548]
You know what's hilarious?
That I just replied to a message from DPR on here and SR, he fixed my SR account and reserved my BTC for when I'm ready!
I know that you thought I really was going to get ripped didn't you little troll doll, because "DPR, ADMIN and MODS don't respect you" LMFAO, but really what they respect, and it's something you and many others on here lack... BALLS!
The only balls you have are the ones your cousin sticks in your mouth every night before he rapes that clapped out bucket arse of yours!
LMFAO, on here you're the only person I hate, congratulations!
You don't bother me, you know why, no matter what you say or do for the rest of your life, you'll never be what I am, who I am and live how I live.
Enjoy sharing that room with your two homosexual kissing cousins... bitch!
LMAO at JezuzWazaMushroom thinking he having an intellectual coversation after the crap hes been posting about DPR and silkroad. If anyone wants a laugh just go on his profile and read his posts its hilariuos.
donny
:)
[/quote]
-
Yep, a millionaire with a big dick and a bangin Mrs... you're right you won't!
It is a hard life but I'm getting through it gradually, one day at a time... lmao
You keep trying and getting burned, when will you give up?
woah where did all the homosexual stuff come from lol
Im really not interested if they fixed any problems but its hard to beleive anything you say anyway.
Thank god i will never be what you are and live how you live lol
link=topic=16070.msg602526#msg602526 date=1353184548]
You know what's hilarious?
That I just replied to a message from DPR on here and SR, he fixed my SR account and reserved my BTC for when I'm ready!
I know that you thought I really was going to get ripped didn't you little troll doll, because "DPR, ADMIN and MODS don't respect you" LMFAO, but really what they respect, and it's something you and many others on here lack... BALLS!
The only balls you have are the ones your cousin sticks in your mouth every night before he rapes that clapped out bucket arse of yours!
LMFAO, on here you're the only person I hate, congratulations!
You don't bother me, you know why, no matter what you say or do for the rest of your life, you'll never be what I am, who I am and live how I live.
Enjoy sharing that room with your two homosexual kissing cousins... bitch!
LMAO at JezuzWazaMushroom thinking he having an intellectual coversation after the crap hes been posting about DPR and silkroad. If anyone wants a laugh just go on his profile and read his posts its hilariuos.
donny
:)
[/quote]
-
What are you on a bout now
donny :)
Yep, a millionaire with a big dick and a bangin Mrs... you're right you won't!
It is a hard life but I'm getting through it gradually, one day at a time... lmao
You keep trying and getting burned, when will you give up?
woah where did all the homosexual stuff come from lol
Im really not interested if they fixed any problems but its hard to beleive anything you say anyway.
Thank god i will never be what you are and live how you live lol
link=topic=16070.msg602526#msg602526 date=1353184548]
You know what's hilarious?
That I just replied to a message from DPR on here and SR, he fixed my SR account and reserved my BTC for when I'm ready!
I know that you thought I really was going to get ripped didn't you little troll doll, because "DPR, ADMIN and MODS don't respect you" LMFAO, but really what they respect, and it's something you and many others on here lack... BALLS!
The only balls you have are the ones your cousin sticks in your mouth every night before he rapes that clapped out bucket arse of yours!
LMFAO, on here you're the only person I hate, congratulations!
You don't bother me, you know why, no matter what you say or do for the rest of your life, you'll never be what I am, who I am and live how I live.
Enjoy sharing that room with your two homosexual kissing cousins... bitch!
LMAO at JezuzWazaMushroom thinking he having an intellectual coversation after the crap hes been posting about DPR and silkroad. If anyone wants a laugh just go on his profile and read his posts its hilariuos.
donny
:)
[/quote]
-
damn what a speech
-
The importance if SR isn't in the drugs, it's in the freedom to operate outside of government constraints. This is the first truly FREE market in the modern world. For that, more than anything else, the SR is an important evolution in modern technology.
-
Whoah, this is intense! Anyone else get goosebumps reading DPRs post? Mannnn, I love the human race!
-
Glad this thread was revived.
-
Thank you for letting me be a part of this very special place.
-
Wonderful post.
Touched me even from thousands of miles away. DPR you must feel lonely sometimes working on this almost by yourself, it's not easy to trust people with this project, but I can assure you re not alone in this...
Greetings from the Balkans.
Long live SR!
-
I just wanted to rebump this post and give people who haven't already had a chance to see a little bit into DPR's psyche. Not often have words brought me to tears, but while reading this post I cried. DPR's line of thought, motivation and ability to enforce his ideals and beliefs will in my mind continue to place SR above the rest and inspire others to follow in his footsteps. I think it's important for users to have an idea of why SR was founded and to recognize the beliefs its founder stands for.
I became a member of SR shortly after this post was written and it was only brought to my attention due to this recent Forbes article written by Andy Greenberg. If you have some time, check it out. It consists of a nice compilation of DPR quotes over the past years.
***clearnet warning***
www.forbes.com/sites/andygreenberg/2013/04/29/collected-quotations-of-the-dread-pirate-roberts-founder-of-the-drug-site-silk-road-and-radical-libertarian/
-
I just wanted to rebump this post and give people who haven't already had a chance to see a little bit into DPR's psyche. Not often have words brought me to tears, but while reading this post I cried. DPR's line of thought, motivation and ability to enforce his ideals and beliefs will in my mind continue to place SR above the rest and inspire others to follow in his footsteps. I think it's important for users to have an idea of why SR was founded and to recognize the beliefs its founder stands for.
I became a member of SR shortly after this post was written and it was only brought to my attention due to this recent Forbes article written by Andy Greenberg. If you have some time, check it out. It consists of a nice compilation of DPR quotes over the past years.
***clearnet warning***
www.forbes.com/sites/andygreenberg/2013/04/29/collected-quotations-of-the-dread-pirate-roberts-founder-of-the-drug-site-silk-road-and-radical-libertarian/
thanks for this. all hail DPR
-
^ what they said
-
first time reading that so thank you fantastiqfox for bumping this...absolutely poetic and beautiful :)
-
Thanks for bumping this thread, Fantasticfox.
I might never have got to read DPR's heartfelt and inspirational speech otherwise :)
Thank you also, DPR. So much of what you wrote reflects my own philosophy. You sound like somebody who has read the brilliant works of Ayn Rand (Apart from the scammers, SR is Galt's Gulch in "Atlas Shrugged"). Your charter reflects the core values of Laissez-faire capitalism, and the sanctity of personal sovereignty.
As a relative n00b to SR, I feel I have found somewhere that reflects my own dearly-held core values. This is a crazy, upside-down anticivilization we are living in. I see it every time I turn on the TV or step outside my front door. I've always considered drug dealing to be one of the few remaining healthy trades. There is a lot of positive karma in not paying taxes while providing people with the means to modulate their own consciousness. Tax supports the infrastructure of oppression, and how many businesses refuse to pay tax?
The bastions of modern capitalism, banks and big corporations, don't appear to know the first thing about capitalism. They use force, favors, and political muscle to gain the upper hand over their competitors. The pharmaceutical cartels peddle ritalin to kids. The media spew prefabricated chunks of "truth" at their unsuspecting viewers. Everyone's out for a quick buck, ripping each other off while pointing the finger at the evil drug dealers, prostitutes, and privacy advocates. If that isn't an anticivilization, I don't know what is.
The Silk Road is a shining example of what is possible in a free world. Whether it will prevail far into the future is anyone's guess. I hope it does, but whether it does or not you can bet your life it's going into the history books!
Bless you, DPR, and everyone who supports the SR vision..... we are all making history :)
-
Wow, great post. Dunno how I missed this one before.
Thanks for the bump, and go DPR and SR! :)
-
I have no one to share my thoughts with in physical space.
haha, i knew that no man with a wife could get away with running a place like this.
much love, DPR. you're one hell of a guy, and i wish i could buy you a beer
-
I have no one to share my thoughts with in physical space.
haha, i knew that no man with a wife could get away with running a place like this.
much love, DPR. you're one hell of a guy, and i wish i could buy you a beer
Well he still could... If you're running something at this scale and are smart and disciplined (which DPR clearly is) then you might not even tell your wife.
-
Anyone have a copy of the "State of the Road" address DPR posted back in early 2012 late 2011, it was directly posted on the SR website (not in the forums)
Love to read it again
-
True words of wisdom.
This much more than just buying and selling substances. This is a fight for the freedom from the parasites and vampires that have held us in bondage for centuries !
These vultures know that their vision of a tyrannical world government cannot be achieved overnight, or even in their lifetimes. We have to realize the same as you've pointed out DPR - this is going to last for decades and most of us will not be here to see the fruits of it. But we must fight and struggle and ENDURE.
The Babylon system is going down - humanity will be free again. Perhaps not in our lifetimes but maybe our greatgrand children will live in a free society one day. This fight is beyond our petty little selves, and egos it is a fight to release Man from the bondage - both spiritual and emotional.
Peace,
-
good luck my liege! I can't wait til the book and movie about your life come out in 20 years
-
I have no one to share my thoughts with in physical space. Security does not permit it, so thanks for listening.
wait what?
this statement makes me feel sad.
does Roberts live alone? does he have to live alone? is he in danger?
no wife? no kids? what's the deal?
"no one to share my thoughts with in physical space."
this is a very lonely sentiment coming from a guy who is basically the one-man-band-leader of a significant online/economics revolution.
-
It makes me happy to be here with everyone on this trip and we will change the world as we know it.
-
Bumping this. In this state of chaos, we all need a reminder of how truly dedicated DPR is to this site.
-
I think that most of us take the SR for granted...
Reading what DPR has written here and in other little posts around the place sheds a bit of light on the awesome mind behind this market place and reminds us just how much it means to him...
All the best to DPR and good luck going into the future.
Inspired.......
Cant wait for the book..
-
Haven't got time to read all 10 pages of replies right now, but re: OP - simply awesome. You are my hero DPR. All I can think of to do right now is find a way to 'turn on, tune in, drop out' and join the good fight by living outside of state control as much as possible (well, 2/3 of the way there ;) ). Keep up the good work and we'll keep on supporting you. As you say; you have to keep stuff bottled up in meat-space for security, but we're all here for you... should you need us...
-
If i believe what i read DPR isnt Silkroad, but if you are I did enjoy your mushies way back when :)
-
DPR it must be really difficult for you at times having no one or a few people IRL you can share your thoughts with but we do appreciate what you're doing here - although maybe not all realise the thinking behind Silk Road, the place we know and love.
Thank you for sharing that and for being DPR!
-
Bless you DRP, for you are willing to put people before pennies. You put cause before cost, and I for one will be loyal with a leader such as you. See you on /b/
-F&H
8)
-
haha, i knew that no man with a wife could get away with running a place like this.
much love, DPR. you're one hell of a guy, and i wish i could buy you a beer
Well he still could... If you're running something at this scale and are smart and disciplined (which DPR clearly is) then you might not even tell your wife.
How do you know DPR is not a woman?! ;)
The original oppression is misogyny, so if we're fighting for freedom, we've got to give that one up too! This ILFer would also argue that a marriage in which one partner does not tell the other, "Hey, so I run an underground marketplace whose sole mission is to subvert the government" is not exactly a marriage to be desired.
-
I'm happy this message resurfaced :-)
That OP's full of good nugz :-)
-
I would rather live my life in rags now than in golden chains.
Beautiful. Long Live Silk Road!
-
Hey gang,
I read more than I post in the forum, and my posts are rarely of a personal nature. For some reason the mood struck me just now to put the revolution down for a minute and just express a few things. There is a curtain of anonymity and secrecy that covers everything that goes on behind the scenes here. It is often fast paced and stressful behind this curtain and I rarely lift my head long enough to take in just how amazing all of this is. But when I do I am filled with inspiration and hope for the future. Here's a little story about what inspires me:
We are upholding a social-digital infrastructure in which we both exist--and do not exist. Anonymity is a highly entropic lifestyle, but it yields vast harvests of intelligence and creativity. The game of thrones is a persistent and ceaseless acquisition of power and security. SR is a kingdom in a land that that is under attack from bigots and businessmen, politicians and Capture Troopers--the Senate and their armies, as in Rome.
For years I was frustrated and defeated by what seemed to be insurmountable barriers between the world today and the world I wanted. I searched long and hard for the truth about what is right and wrong and good for humanity. I argued with, learned from, and read the works of brilliant people in search of the truth. It's a damn hard thing to do too with all of the misinformation and distractions in the sea of opinion we live in. But eventually I found something I could agree with whole heartedly. Something that made sense, was simple, elegant and consistent in all cases. I'm talking about the Austrian Economic theory, voluntaryism, anarcho-capitalism, agorism etc. espoused by the likes of Mises and Rothbard before their deaths, and Salerno and Rockwell today.
This is an example of how being a good follower, indeed, creates venerable leaders. Truth comes into our lives in many ways, whether through a new born son or a newly routed server. They both bring happiness into our lives if we seek the Truth--that life should be free and without pain. Pain comes, however, whether we want it to or not: hunger, fear, anger.... One answer to pain is childish curiosity and wonder, patience, and ambition.
From their works, I understood the mechanics of liberty, and the effects of tyranny. But such vision was a curse. Everywhere I looked I saw the State, and the horrible withering effects it had on the human spirit. It was horribly depressing. Like waking from a restless dream to find yourself in a cage with no way out. But I also saw free spirits trying to break free of their chains, doing everything they could to serve their fellow man and provide for themselves and their loved ones. I saw the magical and powerful wealth creating effect of the market, the way it fostered cooperation, civility and tolerance. How it made trading partners out of strangers or even enemies. How it coordinates the actions of every person on the planet in ways too complex for any one mind to fathom to produce an overflowing abundance of wealth, where nothing is wasted and where power and responsibility are directed to those most deserving and able. I saw a better way, but knew of no way to get there.
Meritocracy and a free state.
There is a startling historical observation in your words, DPR. The natural philosophers--the Western world's modern social scientists--have mostly been wealthy men, out of which hardly comes freedom and liberty. American founders--terrorists in the eyes of the British at the time, and still to this day--were slave owners. This is not to say that their words are hollow and useless, but that there has been a historical oddity where the rich are those that stake claims to political philosophy and applications.
An anonymous marketplace threatens conventional society: Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and all the rest that commit to the Good Ol' Boy system of who you are and where you came from; e.g. George W. Bush, living under the shadows of his father and the Bush Dynasty of Intelligence and Power. Bank of America, Coca Cola, HBSC, the Cartel, American bipartisan corruption, Monsanto, DOW, McDonald's, AT&T, Comcast, etc.
How many products suggest or require product registration? Most cell phones are subject to infrastructure contracts and limited consumer control--you do not own the proprietary OS of your own phone? ? ? ? You don't own your privacy; it was sold when you began paying for invasive contracts and restricted services, hidden within thousands of legal and technical pages called a User Agreement--indentured servitude; legal slavery.
I read everything I could to deepen my understanding of economics and liberty, but it was all intellectual, there was no call to action except to tell the people around me what I had learned and hopefully get them to see the light. That was until I read “Alongside night” and the works of Samuel Edward Konkin III. At last the missing puzzle piece! All of the sudden it was so clear: every action you take outside the scope of government control strengthens the market and weakens the state. I saw how the state lives parasitically off the productive people of the world, and how quickly it would crumble if it didn't have it's tax revenues. No soldiers if you can't pay them. No drug war without billions of dollars being siphoned off the very people you are oppressing.
For the first time I saw the drug cartels and the dealers, and every person in the whole damn supply chain in a different light. Some, especially the cartels, are basically a defacto violent power hungry state, and surely would love nothing more than to take control of a national government, but you average joe pot dealer, who wouldn't hurt a fly, that guy became my hero. By making his living outside the purview of the state, he was depriving it of his precious life force, the product of his efforts. He was free. People like him, little by little, weakened the state and strengthened the market.
It wasn't long, maybe a year or two after this realization that the pieces started coming together for the Silk Road, and what a ride it has been. No longer do I feel ANY frustration. In fact I am at peace in the knowledge that every day I have more I can do to breath life into a truly revolutionary and free market than I have hours in the day. I walk tall, proud and free, knowing that the actions I take eat away at the infrastructure that keeps oppression alive.
DPR, your name will live among the greatest men and women in history as a soldier of justice and freedom. I call for DPR tattoos to signify peace, security, and liberty.
We are like a little seed in a big jungle that has just broken the surface of the forest floor. It's a big scary jungle with lots of dangerous creatures, each honed by evolution to survive in the hostile environment known as human society. All manner of corporation, government agency, small family businesses, anything that can gain a foothold and survive. But the environment is rapidly changing and the jungle has never seen a species quite like the Silk Road. You can see it, but you can't touch it. It is elusive, yet powerful, and we are evolving at a rapid clip, experimenting, trying to find sturdy ground we can put roots down in.
Will we and others like us someday grow to be tall hardwoods? Will we reshape the landscape of society as we know it? What if one day we had enough power to maintain a physical presence on the globe, where we shunned the parasites and upheld the rule of law, where the right to privacy and property was unquestioned and enshrined in the very structure of society. Where police are our servants and protectors beholden to their customers, the people. Where our leaders earn their power and responsibility in the harsh and unforgiving furnace of the free market and not from behind a gun, where the opportunities to create and enjoy wealth are as boundless as one's imagination.
Some day, we could be a shining beacon of hope for the oppressed people of the world just as so many oppressed and violated souls have found refuge here already. Will it happen overnight? No. Will it happen in a lifetime? I don't know. Is it worth fighting for until my last breath. Of course. Once you've seen what's possible, how can you do otherwise? How can you plug yourself into the tax eating, life sucking, violent, sadistic, war mongering, oppressive machine ever again? How can you kneel when you've felt the power of your own legs? Felt them stretch and flex as you learn to walk and think as a free person? I would rather live my life in rags now than in golden chains. And now we can have both! Now it is profitable to throw off one's chains, with amazing crypto technology reducing the risk of doing so dramatically. How many niches have yet to be filled in the world of anonymous online markets? The opportunity to prosper and take part in a revolution of epic proportions is at our fingertips!
I have no one to share my thoughts with in physical space. Security does not permit it, so thanks for listening. I hope my words can be an inspiration just as I am given so much by everyone here.
Dread Pirate Roberts
We can only go forward from here.
Thank you, Dread Pirate Roberts.
-
while we panic
can someone post what they use to turn real money into btc since bitfloor is down and bitinstant is assholes? is it only mtgox now?
i just want to moneygram the money into btc. i cant do bank of america or anything like that. i dont want to do bank transfers.
next i need to know how to transfer those bitcoins to the silkroad. i dont understand the wallet stuff and all that. thanks
-
God bless silk road. Everything it has given and taught me. $30,000+ Spent. I will never think the same again. Im glad I stumbled onto this. Thank you DPR you are truley a man of honor and intelligence. Whatever happens. This place will always be my home. Thank you for your words of inspiration and your fighting off this attack. I have faith in you and your team. Do not reveal your identites not even if it means loosing the road. We will rebuild. we will continue on. We are a family now. I should shake your hand if I could. -
-Regards
MB'US AKA (Reximus)
-
I've just designed "DPR 2016" political banners. I am beginning the campaign right now. Gonna canvas this city with them.
-
I know thats a joke.. but I never got those people who designed SR or DPR shirts/hats and shit. Seems like bad kind of exposure. We don't want little teenagers on here everyday running amok
-
Oh dear lord, I just read his thread "chat" and I immediately fell in love.
DPR has always been, even before I first used or involved myself in The Road, a hero of mine but reading the motivations and convictions behind running an operation like SR... It's breathtaking.
I live my life as off-the-grid as I can, and sometimes I doubt my choices, I wonder if I'm fooling myself. The Dread Pirate Roberts has strengthened my resolve and made me better... And in only a few paragraphs!
I love this person. I do not know what gender, ethnicity, sexuality, skin-tone, etc. they are, and that makes it all the more brilliant. I love a concept with speech. And I love the parts of me that cry out and cheer at their proclamations.
Better still, I do not ally myself to a modern-day messiah. Anonymity is the mark of the humble. And the wise.
Fellow Pirateers, it's an honor. And I have no doubt DPR's dream will live on, even if this ship sinks. It's already begun.
As it were, "As you wish",
~Ali
(Repasta from Newbie Thread)
-
WOW thanks DPR for those inspiring words
-
First the Silk Road charter, and now this brilliant post! DPR continues to amaze me!