4 ms·

Those things are all possible--but unlikely, in my experience. I've worked for the government and for government contractors. I did not ever come across even on

Those things are all possible--but unlikely, in my experience. I've worked for the government and for government contractors. I did not ever come across even one single self-proclaimed conservative or libertarian individual who fell into any of the "maybe" hypotheses you describe. To a person there is one word to describe them: hypocrite. They did exactly what the parent wrote: railed against government while earning a decent (in some cases extremely nice) living that is 100% the result of government activity.

gexla 13y ago
He doesn't seem to be the railing type. In the Bitcoin conversations, it seemed he wasn't interested in talking about much outside the code. Even though Bitcoin was created for X reasons, the discussions were about code. Then he disappeared. Bitcoin has since exploded and he still hasn't come out. From the description of the guy, it seems to wouldn't be self proclaimed anything except in passing down advice to his children. Who knows if these are even his actual views. I doubt we will be seeing any interviews. Just short comments from family who apparently aren't close to him. This includes his brother who thinks he is an asshole.
bmelton 13y ago
I've been in exactly his position, and formed much of my libertarian-style beliefs in direct response to what I saw working within the government. Having seen it happen anecdotally in literally dozens of cases, I don't think it's that unlikely.
- Iftheshoefits 13y ago
  Did you continue working for the government after forming said beliefs? If so, then I suggest that either your beliefs aren't that strong, or else you're a hypocrite. In either case, "unlikely" is not "impossible."
  - bmelton 13y ago
    Watching the inner workings of a three letter agency in action formed beliefs that caused me to seek employment elsewhere. That said, going elsewhere required some degree of financial sacrifice, and I don't fault others for not necessarily being willing to go as far as I did with stable, good-paying jobs as dear and precious as they are.

gexla 13y ago

He doesn't seem to be the railing type. In the Bitcoin conversations, it seemed he wasn't interested in talking about much outside the code. Even though Bitcoin was created for X reasons, the discussions were about code. Then he disappeared. Bitcoin has since exploded and he still hasn't come out. From the description of the guy, it seems to wouldn't be self proclaimed anything except in passing down advice to his children. Who knows if these are even his actual views. I doubt we will be seeing any interviews. Just short comments from family who apparently aren't close to him. This includes his brother who thinks he is an asshole.

bmelton 13y ago

I've been in exactly his position, and formed much of my libertarian-style beliefs in direct response to what I saw working within the government. Having seen it happen anecdotally in literally dozens of cases, I don't think it's that unlikely.

Iftheshoefits 13y ago
Did you continue working for the government after forming said beliefs? If so, then I suggest that either your beliefs aren't that strong, or else you're a hypocrite. In either case, "unlikely" is not "impossible."
- bmelton 13y ago
  Watching the inner workings of a three letter agency in action formed beliefs that caused me to seek employment elsewhere. That said, going elsewhere required some degree of financial sacrifice, and I don't fault others for not necessarily being willing to go as far as I did with stable, good-paying jobs as dear and precious as they are.