Day: April 26, 2019

V is for Voluntary

I came, I saw, and did nothing.
What happens when you volunteer and nothing happens?

On the way home from walking the wee one to school I saw a lady standing in the street, outside her truck, on the phone. The hazard blinkers were flickering.

She had a flat tire and was on the phone with the tire place.

I offered to help, and was taken up on that offer.  She had a jack and a lug wrench and seemed ready to go.

I was able to loosen 4 of 5 lug nuts but that last one would not budge. I stood on the lug wrench and the wrench bent, but the nut didn’t break.  A passer-by offered some help but also didn’t break free that nut.

So, the lady ended up calling the tire store. Their truck has the necessary pneumatic device and a quick zzzzipp, the stubborn nut was free.

The tire was changed, she was able to get home to get ready for work and I did nothing measurable.

We shook hands.  She thanked me for at least stopping to offer.  I continued walking home and she went on her way.

Is volunteering like a tree in the woods. If you don’t accomplish anything, did you volunteer?

In a circle of libertarian thinking there is a group called the voluntaryists.  The premise is simple: engage in activity you want to free of coercion.

Buying a soda or groceries seems pretty simple.  You give the cashier cash or digits and they let you take the groceries. Shoes and gas are the same.  But, try that with labor.  Or cannabis.  Those exchanges are not free from coercion or government.

I’m getting a bit far from the helping the lady example.  The point is that a voluntary act to help or purchase or sell ought to be between the consumer and the seller.  Will some people be meany pants and cheat?  Of course.  And in another newsletter we can address those issues.

Today the point is stop to help the person who needs help.  It helps build a community of respect and appreciation and friendship.  Even if your help really wasn’t help, there’s a grace in the offer and grace is a good thing.

Join me in my digital community, my Eating Liberty facebook group where you won’t stop to help anyone change a tire, but you might help someone who seeks an answer.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/eatingliberty

Have a great weekend.

Dann
Dann@culinarylibertarian.com

HAL 2000 It Wasn’t

I’m sorry Dave, I can’t do that.
In the grand scheme of things it wasn’t a big deal.

Across the street the gas company was working on the gas lines.  To get that job done required some 6 vehicles which parked on both sides of the street.

That day was garbage pick up day.  The garbage truck, with those fancy arms and levers, could not get near enough the bin to empty the trash.  So, mine, my neighbor to the right and across the street-the house with the gas line workers-did not get our smelly stinky over-filled garbage cans emptied.

Well, I’ve read Chris Voss’ negotiating book, Never Split The Difference.  I can fix this.

Ugh.

I overlooked the amazing power of policy and lack of imaginative thinking.  Very powerful, those things.

“How can we help?”
“I would like the trash picked up.”
“Oh, well, it looks like the truck couldn’t get to the can so we can come next week.”
“I would like it picked up this week.  It’ll start to stink and you’ll charge me for extra garbage next week.”
“Well, that might not happen, but we can send someone out today for $17.22.”

And so it went.  They really want to help but can’t do what I’m asking.  But, magically will find a way for more money.

The bill for the month is less than double the stated price for the missed pick up.

So, of course, with all my bravado and skill, mine and the neighbors cans sit stewing in the hot High Dessert sun.

I was disappointed in my lack of accomplishing my goal but comforted that it was a big fish I tried to land.  It takes more skill than I have to move the policy wonk off his perch.

But, I was also a bit peeved.  I needed something.

If you’ve ever seen Harry Potter and the Dementors, you know that the only real help is chocolate.  It works for policy idiots too.

Despite what they show on TV, negotiating is a learned skill.  I’m still learning.  And the trash is brewing.

Have a great weekend.  Morels should be up soon, so if you are in part of the world where that’s a thing, go check.

Dann
dann@culinarylibertarian

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