Austro-libertarian off – Broadway show in NYC attacks central banking

Dear Gunnlaugur:

I’m going to blog this on LewRockwell.com. Maybe that will help.

Best regards,

Walter

Walter E. Block, Ph.D.
Harold E. Wirth Eminent Scholar Endowed Chair and Professor of Economics
Joseph A. Butt, S.J. College of Business
Loyola University New Orleans
6363 St. Charles Avenue, Box 5, Miller Hall 318
New Orleans, LA 70118
tel: (504) 864-7934
fax: (504) 864-7970
[email protected]

—–Original Message—–
From: [email protected] on behalf of Gunnlaugur Jónsson
Sent: Wed 8/20/2014 10:35 AM
To: walter block; Walter Block; Walter Block
Cc: J. Mark English
Subject: Re: Revolution in the Elbow

Dear Professor Block,

I have admired you and your work ever since I read ‘Defending the
Undefendable’ at the tender age of 11 – i.e. 27 years ago.

The show we have is indeed inspired by Austrian economics and truly does
have a libertarian message. We would be honored if you would show this
interest.

Thanks to Mark for the introduction. I did not know him before he came to
see the show and he completely understood the message and its significance.

All the best,
Gunnlaugur Jonsson

On Wed, Aug 20, 2014 at 2:24 PM, J. Mark English
wrote:

> Dear Professor Block,
>
> Hope all is well down in New Orleans!
>
> This past weekend I saw an off Broadway show in New York City which
> just recently opened. A good friend of mine from college was in the
> show, and this is the only reason why I was going.
>
> Once the show began, it dawned on me that this show was a not so
> subtle allegory about the failures of central banking. Below is an
> e-mail from one of the creators of the show.
>
> He is from Iceland, and he knows very well about the failures of
> central banking in Iceland.
>
> This is a show that must be known about among the libertarian
> community, as well as the Austrian Economists.
>
> If you could think of some people that you know in the NYC area that
> would be interested in not only seeing the show, but spreading its
> message, any recommendations would be very helpful.
>
> I have CC’d one of the creators, Gunnlaugur Jónsson. He will follow
> up with you as well.
>
> Please consider at least speaking with him via e-mail. This show has
> tremendous potential. If the show ‘Rent’ brought awareness to the
> AIDS community – this show has the potential to bring awareness of the
> evil of central planning to a young generation.
>
> Thank you for your time!
>
> Warm regards,
> Mark
>
>
> ———- Forwarded message ———-
> From: Gunnlaugur Jónsson
> Date: Wed, Aug 20, 2014 at 7:18 AM
> Subject: Revolution in the Elbow
> To: [email protected]
>
>
> Dear Mark,
>
> Thanks for liking the show and thank you for passing the word to some
> good libertarians. I have written a few notes on the musical below,
> that may serve as an introduction but also help in coverage in the
> media or articles. I and my brother (the writer, Ívar Páll Jónsson)
> are available for interviews and we are willing to do everything we
> can to help those who want to write/talk about it. Our web site is
> revolutionelbow.com.
>
> Revolution in the Elbow is a critique of the financial system and
> politics in general. It shows the consequences of giving power to
> politicians.
>
> However, it is set within the elbow of a person, in a tiny village. It
> breaks new ground in musical theatre in many ways. It’s alt-rock score
> is unique and the concept album has received rave reviews. The music
> alone takes you on an emotional journey that harmonizes with the story
> and the struggle and joys of the characters. The unusual setting
> entails projections on the walls of the theatre and imaginative
> costumes. The story itself has a different structure and texture to
> most musicals.
>
> The libertarian themes you can find in the play are many:
>
> 1. It shows the consequences of creation of money out of thin air and
> too much credit. The flip-side of that coin is the implicit government
> guarantee and responsibility for the financial system. The story
> simplifies a bit, without the nuances of exactly how it’s done in real
> life. That’s one of the perks of staging a play in a fantasy world, so
> the story is lighter and more entertaining. The word ‘bank’ is never
> used in the play. The bank is called ‘The Prosperity Machine’ instead.
> The excesses of a credit bubble are shown by the people of Elbowville
> building their own heart in the elbow.
>
> 2. It shows the dividing line between good and evil in our hearts. It
> shows how people perhaps start off with good intentions and make
> decisions that lead them into wrongdoing and even evil. We should look
> into our own hearts and take responsibility for our own morality and
> not just float around like a leaf in the wind. And we should keep this
> in mind when discussing with those we disagree with. A good quote on
> Bob Higgs’ Facebook:
> “If only it were all so simple! If only there were evil people
> somewhere insidiously committing evil deeds, and it were necessary
> only to separate them from the rest of us and destroy them. But the
> line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every human
> being. And who is willing to destroy a piece of his own heart?”
> — Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
>
> 3. It shows how the system finds a way, has a will of its own and how
> futile people’s attempts can be at reforming it. It is a reminder of
> the facts of public choice economics and the incentives of government.
>
> 4. It’s about withdrawing your consent for evil. Do not participate in
> the system. Leave – literally or figuratively. Withdraw your consent.
> Seek freedom individually. There are many ways. That is the true
> revolution.
>
> Of course some of the mainstream media has been against us, even
> though the show is highly entertaining. We will appreciate if
> influential libertarians do what they can to promote the show.
>
> All the best,
> Gulli
>
>
> —
> Gunnlaugur Jónsson?Tel. +354 575 2602?Mob. +354 869 0420
>
>
> —
> J. Mark English
> Cell – (914) 672-2537
>
>
>
> The state is a gang of thieves writ large. – Murray Rothbard
>


Gunnlaugur Jónsson?Tel. +354 575 2602?Mob. +354 869 0420

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9:17 pm on August 20, 2014