The Vonu Podcast TVP Intermission #35: An Interview with Jim Stumm (The Man Who Met Rayo)
Feb 9, 2020
Jim Stumm, a veteran libertarian writer and editor of Living Free, shares captivating tales from his life and his unique encounter with the enigmatic figure, Rayo. He reflects on his journey into libertarianism and the influences that shaped his views. Stumm discusses the intriguing personality of Rayo, painting him as a serious and logical thinker. He shares insights into their correspondence and the motivations behind his 1971 visit. The conversation also touches on the evolution of self-liberation tactics in the face of modern surveillance.
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Writer Who Kept Producing
- Jim Stumm lived alone in an old house and worked as a janitor while writing newsletters and books under a pen name.
- He published Living Free since 1979 and used janitorial work to pay bills and access a work computer for internet use.
Libertarianism As A Big Tent
- Jim defines libertarian broadly as valuing personal freedom and non-coercion rather than strict labels.
- He considered Venuans libertarians but did not join their practices personally.
From Ayn Rand To A Tribe
- Jim discovered libertarian ideas via Ayn Rand while in the Army and then connected to a wider network through newsletters.
- Finding Perform and other newsletters felt like discovering his tribe and launched his active correspondence.
