tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364362406345742956.post6372105047899396329..comments2023-10-23T09:23:05.584-05:00Comments on Live Oaks: Business vs. the IndividualBrian Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06604845862020723068noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364362406345742956.post-27587774657551405752009-01-28T08:23:00.000-06:002009-01-28T08:23:00.000-06:00Thanks for the compliments and the comments.Your a...Thanks for the compliments and the comments.<BR/><BR/>Your are definitely right-- it takes time to build up one's intellectual arsenal. It also takes time to build up one's confidence, speaking skills, etc. <BR/><BR/>Debriefing--as I call my post-event thinking--is invaluable. I always identify something I could have said more clearly, or a better example, or something similar. But as you say, I am then better prepared the next time. This adds to my confidence, which I think also improves my speaking skills.Brian Phillipshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06604845862020723068noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2364362406345742956.post-50762344034210776942009-01-28T06:52:00.000-06:002009-01-28T06:52:00.000-06:00I admire you for your focus, on the area of proper...I admire you for your focus, on the area of property rights, and for your long-term persistence. You are also adding philosophical insight into the nature of those who support statism over individual rights.<BR/><BR/>I would like to draw attention to one narrow point that might be of value to other activists. You said: <BR/><BR/>"The comment caught [me] by surprise, and at the time I didn't have the luxury of giving it much thought. In retrospect, I have a better understanding of what provoked such a comment."<BR/><BR/>You have captured here an insight into the value of focusing one's efforts, that is, specializing in activism (whether it be philosophical, intellectual, or political activism--or some combination of them).<BR/><BR/>The insight you have here supported is that the accumulation of knowledge and experience takes time. For years or even decades, an activist may continue encountering new tactics and new arguments from his opponents. Thinking through responses usually isn't possible on the spot. Thinking takes time. <BR/><BR/>Afterwards, thinking through a response prepares the activist for the <I>next</I> time he encounters the same tactic or argument. He is then better armed. That process can take a long time. Specializing, to some extent, speeds up that process by delimiting the arena of debate.Burgess Laughlinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13865479709475171678noreply@blogger.com