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Cato's David Boaz and Libertarian Intellectualism




"Conservatives have been very critical of the Golden Globe-winning film 'Avatar' for its mystical melange of trite leftist themes. But what they have missed is that the essential conflict in the story is a battle over property rights." - Libertarian David Boaz
(Read entire Los Angeles Times Article: The right has 'Avatar' wrong)

Is it possible that David Boaz, executive vice president of the Cato Institute, was extremely moved by 'Avatar' and found himself stretching for an intellectual reason to justify his appreciation of the film? Because Na'vi "property rights" is quite a stretch.

David even admits in his article that in the context of Na'vi society one could only think of "property rights" in a collectivist sense. It's pretty sad when a libertarian writer has to resort to collectivist thinking to make a point, wouldn't you say?

David knows 'Avatar' has nothing to do with property rights as the term is commonly used. Yet the film still appeals to libertarians. What is the real reason?

It is a reason which cannot be easily grasped by intellectuals who have trained themselves not to listen to their spiritual nature. It is one's spirit which responds to 'Avatar,' as it should be with the response to all good art. In the dark of a movie theater, sometimes intellectuals like David Boaz actually let go and let their spirit be felt, wouldn't you say?

The intellectual David Boaz, needing to defend his addiction to intellectualism, quickly decided it was necessary to belittle the fact that the Na'vi people live in tune with their spirit. He writes derisively: "Sure, the Na'vi -- who, like all of the people in lefty dreams, are psychically linked to one another and to all living creatures."

The reason libertarian intellectuals do not attract a larger audience is that "all people psychically linked to one another" is not a leftist dream, but a reality. It is only addicted intellectuals who do not allow themselves to feel and experience their underlying link to others ... and therefore others have little incentive to feel rapport with them. It's called the "Obama Syndrome." Failure to connect. But it is also suffered seriously by libertarian intellectuals.

Yet intellectual David's spirit craves connection with all individuals, which is why his spiritual nature responds to 'Avatar.' More importantly, David's spirit knows that the success of libertarianism depends on libertarians finding a balance that allows their spirit to guide their intellectualism so when they do speak truth people will feel it.

Most people reading David's article simply scoff at his feeble "property rights" stretch, and think a little less of libertarian intellectuals as a result of David's silliness. But libertarians can find real value in 'Avatar.' Here's one example: 'Avatar' Innocents Stop Government/Corporate Thugs




To understand the evil psychology of modern "liberal progressives," read Ayn Rand's "Atlas Shrugged"






"God's laws will keep your minds at peace, because peace IS His Will, and His laws are established to uphold it. His are the laws of freedom, but yours are the laws of bondage. Since freedom and bondage are irreconcilable, their laws CANNOT BE UNDERSTOOD TOGETHER. The laws of God work only for your good, and there ARE no other laws beside His. Everything else is merely lawLESS, and therefore chaotic." -Jesus Christ in A Course in Miracles

Comments

wine blog said…
I'm typically conservative in my view although I don't consider myself on the right or left of things. In fact I hate that party bullshit. My parents are crazy republican but not me. Anyways, anyone who got this movie mixed up with something political is an idiot. The movie was amazing and promoted clean and responsible living at best. Cheers~
February 4, 2010 at 11:16 PM
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