Behind the Bastards Part Two: The Not-At-All-Sad History of Libertarian Sea Nations
Dec 2, 2021
Join David Bell, a historian specializing in libertarian boat cities, as he dives into the quirky and often absurd world of seasteading. The conversation humorously navigates the challenges of creating autonomous ocean communities, from the impracticalities of life at sea to critiquing the futuristic dreams of libertarian sea pods. Bell discusses grassroots colonization efforts and the eccentric ambitions of figures like Peter Thiel in the context of ethical dilemmas. Ultimately, it’s a light-hearted yet insightful look at the clash between idealism and the messy reality of floating societies.
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Freedom Ship Failure
- The Freedom Ship, a mile-long libertarian boat city, failed to materialize.
- The project resurfaced repeatedly, becoming a long-running grift.
Seasteading Concept
- Seasteading, the concept of creating independent ocean communities, offers a unique solution to governmental dissatisfaction.
- It allows individuals to move and build their own homes in the middle of the wilderness.
Thiel's Seasteading Investment
- Peter Thiel funded the Seasteading Institute, aiming to experiment with different societal systems.
- However, Thiel's funding eventually dried up, hindering the project's progress.