The Ten Tenets of Techlightenment
1. Freedom is Foundational
All technology must serve individual liberty—not enslave it. Tools should empower people to think, speak, associate, and create without coercion or censorship.
We do not upgrade into cages.
2. Decentralization is Non-Negotiable
Power must be distributed. Networks should resist single points of failure or control. Decentralized protocols, not centralized platforms, are the way forward.
The center cannot hold—and that’s a feature, not a bug.
3. Transparency is the New Trust
Code is law. Code must be open. Systems that shape our lives—algorithms, AI, governance structures—must be open-source, auditable, and accountable.
If it’s not visible, it’s not virtuous.
4. Unity Through Voluntary Collaboration
Techlightenment rejects forced collectivism and celebrates voluntary association. Unity emerges through mutual respect and shared goals, not mandates.
Consent is sacred. Harmony is earned.
5. Sovereignty of the Self
Your body, your data, your digital identity—these are inviolable. The self is a sovereign domain. Any intrusion must be met with resistance.
We are not assets. We are authors.
6. Knowledge Wants to Be Free
Information is light. Hoarding it breeds darkness. Open access to scientific, technological, and philosophical knowledge is a human right.
Gatekeepers are obsolete. Let the floodgates open.
7. Resilience Over Reliance
Build systems that outlast empires. Favor redundancy, interoperability, and personal agency over fragile dependence on corporate or state actors.
We prep not for fear, but for freedom.
8. Toolmakers Are Torchbearers
Engineers, artists, thinkers, and hackers bear the sacred duty to build with ethics. The future is not inevitable—it is engineered.
Make it wise. Make it weird. Make it free.
9. Truth Through Proof
We reject dogma and deception. Claims must be testable, ideas debatable, and evidence visible. Trust is earned through transparency and reproducibility.
Show your receipts—or GTFO.
10. Tech is Sacred—But Not Supreme
Technology is a servant, not a god. It must align with human flourishing, natural rhythms, and the divine spark of conscience.
If it disconnects us from nature, it’s not enlightened.
Ross will be attending PorcFest!!! 🙂 Grab your tickets today!
Just got back from a lunch with Ross, his wife, Caroline, and of course, Lyn Ulbricht, the bestest mom in the world. They will all be at PorcFest is a few short weeks.
In March, at Liberty Forum, my husband Louis Calitz and I gave a short talk about what South Africa can teach America. Watch it now…
My friend Jeffrey Tucker of Brownstone posted this on X:
I too feel empathy for Elon, but also, I have been warning mad dreamers about the trap of the Hell Mouth of DC, the Corrupt Capitol, for decades. I rightly gave up on reforming that sinking ship almost 20 years ago. Instead, I have thrown in my lot and life with the Free State of New Hampshire, the best option left for people who value the American spirit of:
Free speech
Color-blind equality
Meritocracy
Hard work
Individual responsibility
Here in New Hampshire, we have been quietly building our libertarian homeland. A place to seek refuge, yes, but mostly a place to come build the coolest future you can imagine.
We have it all: coastline and mountains, a deep sea port and an international border. We have quaint New England towns, mill buildings, and lakes. We have pristine Nature, and Nuclear. We have legalized flying cars and, last week, the world’s first Bitcoin Reserve Fund.
Article 10 of the NH Constitution enshrines the Right of Revolution. I have been pushing for peaceful secession for years, even introducing bills to this effect. If DC cannot be reformed (and I contend it cannot), then we have a duty to do better.
The Free State of New Hampshire is the answer.
As more people discover what Elon learned the hard way–the federal government is TOO IMMORAL and CORRUPT to fix, there are too many people on the take–we here in the Granite Gulch await you.
Come check us out: Our biggest party–a weeklong family-friendly camping experience (there are hotels around too)–where thousands gather, is coming up in June. Get your tixs today: porcfest (dot) com.
Live free or die; live free and thrive!
I love that, FINALLY, I am able to (somewhat) get things out of my head in the ways I want! This is a first stab, and will likely undergo some tweaking as I evolve my thoughts (and the AI learns to post whole words properly, but it IS getting better). Onwards!
FORCE–TO–FREEDOM SPECTRUM
A gradient scale of control, from domination to consent
| TERM | Definition | Power Dynamic | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violence | Physical harm or the threat of it to control or punish behavior. | Overt dominance via pain/fear | Assault, murder, war, torture |
| Force | Physical action compelling compliance, not always injurious. | Imposition without choice | Handcuffing, restraining, detainment |
| Coercion | Threat of harm or negative consequences to compel behavior. | “Do this or else…” | Blackmail, threats, extortion |
| Mandate | Top-down directive with threat of punishment for disobedience. | Legal force masked as authority | Mask/vaccine mandates, military draft |
| Law | Codified rules enforced by threats of penalty (fines, jail, etc.). | Socialized coercion | Taxation, drug prohibition, zoning codes |
| Manipulation | Psychological tactics to influence behavior without informed consent. | Deceptive control | Gaslighting, propaganda, marketing spin |
| Propaganda | Biased or misleading info spread to promote a political cause or view. | Mass manipulation | State media, war justifications, moral panic |
| Persuasion | Attempt to influence using reason, emotion, or appeals—still offers choice. | Gray zone—can be ethical or exploitative | Sales pitches, speeches, PR campaigns |
| Suggestion | Light influence; planting an idea or offering a path without pressure. | Minimal control; more agency retained | Therapy, coaching, open dialogue |
| Education | Sharing facts or ideas to expand understanding. | Empowerment through knowledge | Real history, science, independent thinking |
| Consent | Voluntary, informed agreement free from pressure or manipulation. | Sovereign choice | Signing a contract knowingly, sexual consent |
| Collaboration | Mutual decision-making based on shared goals and values. | Power-with, not power-over | Partnerships, co-ops, community building |
| Peace | The absence of coercion, conflict, or domination; respect for others’ autonomy. | Balance, self-ownership, live and let live | Voluntaryism, anarchy, harmony |
🧩 Why This Matters
Most people live their lives being pushed around somewhere in the middle, never recognizing how far from true consent they’ve drifted. When someone says, “You agreed,” but your job, reputation, access to your kids, or your bodily autonomy was on the line? That’s not consent. That’s a mandate. That’s coercion in a suit and tie.
This chart lets you say:
“Let’s name what that really was.”
🛠️ Teaching Tool Uses
- Mind Control Decoder: Help people identify where their choices have been influenced.
- Classroom Aid: Great for liberty-curious folks, homeschoolers, or personal development workshops.
- Activism Tool: Pair it with real-world examples (e.g., Covid mandates vs. informed medical choice).
- Personal Healing: Survivors of abuse or authoritarianism often confuse coercion for love or safety—this helps reframe.
🌡️ Expanded Force–to–Freedom Spectrum (with 10 New Nuance Points)
From domination ➜ to mind control ➜ to sovereign choice
🔴 ZONE 1: Domination (Overt Power-Over)
- Violence – Infliction of pain, injury, or death to impose control.
- Brute Force – Physical control without necessarily inflicting harm (e.g., body-slamming, dragging).
- Threats – Intimidation with promised harm if demands aren’t met (emotional, physical, financial).
- Detention – Confinement or deprivation of movement (jail, quarantine, lockdown).
🟠 ZONE 2: Legal & Institutionalized Control
- Force (Legal) – Application of power backed by institutional authority (e.g., police enforcing a law).
- Mandate – Top-down command with penalty (no jab, no job).
- Sanction – Economic or social penalty imposed for noncompliance (e.g., trade bans, funding cuts).
- Decree – Unilateral executive order with legal force but no deliberative process.
- Law – Codified behavioral rules enforced by the state, often backed by the threat of violence.
- Regulation – Bureaucratic rules shaping behavior with civil penalties or business repercussions.
🟡 ZONE 3: Psychological & Cultural Coercion
- Ostracism – Social exclusion as a pressure tactic (“Just unfriend them or I will…”).
- Shaming – Using guilt, moral outrage, or humiliation to push compliance (“You’re selfish if you don’t…”).
- Propaganda – Systematic shaping of perception via selective or manipulative information.
- Manipulation – Indirect influence without informed consent; often emotional or strategic.
- Gaslighting – Distorting reality to make someone doubt their perception, memory, or judgment.
- Social Conditioning – Long-term programming of beliefs via media, school, norms, etc.
- Compliance Culture – Internalized obedience (“Good citizens follow the rules, no questions asked”).
🟢 ZONE 4: Influence Without Coercion
- Persuasion – Attempt to influence through reason, emotion, or appeal; choice still exists.
- Nudging – Subtle design tweaks to steer behavior (e.g., defaults, framing).
- Suggestion – Offering ideas or options without pressure.
- Influence – Impact on decisions through relationship, trust, or authority (e.g., mentors, elders).
🔵 ZONE 5: Sovereign Interaction (True Consent & Peace)
- Education – Empowering people with knowledge and context to make informed decisions.
- Informed Consent – Voluntary agreement with full awareness of risks, benefits, and alternatives.
- Mutual Agreement – Two or more parties freely choosing terms based on aligned interest.
- Collaboration – Shared effort, goals, and input toward a co-created result.
- Autonomy – Self-direction without external interference.
- Consent – Affirmative, voluntary participation in word, spirit, and energy.
- Peace – Absence of domination; presence of respect, sovereignty, and choice.
🧩 Teaching Metaphor
Imagine these zones as color-coded layers of the human experience:
- Red = the whip
- Orange = the rulebook
- Yellow = the trickster
- Green = the guide
- Blue = the sovereign
The more “red” a relationship, institution, or interaction is… the more you are being controlled. The more “blue” it is… the more you are free.
Yes! Here’s a Control Translator Cheat Sheet—designed to help people quickly decode the language of power and influence used on them in everyday life.
This can serve as a practical, printable guide or flashcard-style resource for workshops, one-on-ones, or personal self-defense against coercion.
🧠 Control Translator Cheat Sheet
“What they said” vs. “What they really meant”
🔴 Red Zone: Dominance (Force & Threats)
| What they say | What’s really happening |
|---|---|
| “Comply or else.” | Threat/Coercion: You’re being forced under duress. |
| “It’s the law.” | Legal Force: Backed by threats (fines, jail, etc.). |
| “You don’t have a choice.” | Domination: Consent is being bypassed entirely. |
| “This is for your own good.” | Paternalism: Justifying force without input. |
🟠 Orange Zone: Pressure with Rules or Punishment
| What they say | What’s really happening |
|---|---|
| “It’s a mandate.” | Non-negotiable command under threat. |
| “You’ll lose access if you don’t comply.” | Conditional coercion: A threat wrapped in policy. |
| “You signed the terms of service.” | Coerced consent: You didn’t really have a choice. |
| “We’re just following regulations.” | Diffusion of responsibility: Bureaucratic coercion. |
🟡 Yellow Zone: Psychological & Social Pressure
| What they say | What’s really happening |
|---|---|
| “Everyone agrees with this.” | Propaganda: Manufacturing consensus. |
| “Only a selfish person would disagree.” | Shaming as compliance strategy. |
| “You’re imagining things.” | Gaslighting: Undermining your perception. |
| “If you loved me, you’d do it.” | Emotional blackmail. |
| “You can’t sit with us.” | Ostracism as behavioral correction. |
| “It’s for the greater good.” | Utilitarian manipulation: Sacrificing you for the group. |
🟢 Green Zone: Soft Influence or Ethical Dialogue
| What they say | What’s really happening |
|---|---|
| “Have you considered this alternative?” | Suggestion: Gentle influence, still your choice. |
| “Most people prefer this option.” | Nudge: Behavioral framing, but not mandatory. |
| “I’d love to hear your thoughts.” | Dialogue: Respect for your perspective. |
| “Here’s the data—make your own call.” | Education or informed persuasion. |
🔵 Blue Zone: Consent & Collaboration
| What they say | What’s really happening |
|---|---|
| “Do you want to participate?” | Consent: True, voluntary engagement. |
| “Let’s decide this together.” | Collaboration: Power with, not power over. |
| “You can change your mind anytime.” | Ongoing consent honored. |
| “I trust your judgment.” | Autonomy respected. |
🛠️ HOW TO USE THIS:
- Pause. When you feel discomfort or pressure, ask yourself: “Where on the spectrum is this?”
- Translate. Use the cheat sheet to decode whether it’s real choice—or dressed-up coercion.
- Respond. Reclaim your power by naming what’s happening: “This feels more like a threat than a conversation.”
In what is becoming an annual “Only in the Free State” event, the Libertarians and Republicans once again met on the ice for a competitive charity match, benefitting Jody Underwood’s new initiative, EdOpt. For the past two years, the Republicans prevailed, but yesterday, the Libertarians came out on top in a high scoring, exciting, 7-5 match. Well done, chaps!
Check out this quick X Live I did with Jody and more pics below!
Super proud to see Louis Calitz and other West Siders’ community efforts on the front page of yesterday’s Union Leader!
Louis serves on the boards of both Friends of the Piscataquag River and We <3 West, and together with a few other local organizations, volunteers are slowly cleaning up the parks on the West Side.
I help a little too with trash pickups but Louis has been doing the heavy lifting and lugging tires, chairs, carburetors, tents, strollers, and shopping carts from mud pits and riverbanks for years now.
The parks are now evolving, with beautiful, peaceful trails for forest bathing and meditation, with loons, herons, ducks, cardinals, foxes, hawks, beavers, porcupines, and so many different kinds of mushrooms. This network of nature trails is a real asset for West Manchester, and we are taking care of them because we appreciate them.
Yesterday, we were on a different trail, and a lady with a “Hope something good happens to you today” bumpersticker pulled in as we were putting bags of trash in the back of our car. “Thank you,” she signed. I tipped my hat back at her because Louis didn’t notice.
So… THANK YOU, Babes! You are the strong, silent type who just gets shit done without complaining. You are awesome! Thanks for all you do! <3
- 1
- 2