Libertarian Media Part I

I recently sampled two online media presentations sponsored by quasi-libertarian organizations. The first is designed to draw the public into understanding libertarian theory. The second is designed to inspire members of the public into activism. The first is incoherent. The second comes across as parody. The first, produced by the Institute for Humane Studies, suggests that we “Play the Bunny Game” and “experience the tragedy of the commons.” Presuming that one of those two headlines grabs you (do you really want to experience tragedy via a bunny game?) let us forge ahead. Please join me.

Catchy music, irritating zip-zap noises, the same catchy music, popping noises, disappearing bunnies, that repetitious all-too-catchy music, more popping noises and something happening to rabbits, that damn music, oh and here is a choice of some sort: “Play Public Bunnies” or “Play Version 2.”

Not sure which I just did but I’ll do anything to get rid of that horrible music.

Now comes a sign Version 2: “You and the other bunny merchants own some bunnies, which means that each bunny merchant must keep her hands of the other merchants’ bunny property. Remember, the number of bunnies you own in the second round will be triple the number remaining after the first round!”

Not sure what the above paragraph means but I’ll click “PLAY.”

Pop pop pop. Suddenly a sign comes up: “You are one smart bunny merchant! Because you save some bunnies this year, you will have loads of rabbits to grabbed [sic] next year!”

Well, that’s great.

Whew, found the “music off” button.

Round three announces that “Rabbits love to multiply!” And now more popping noises. The game seems to end. It says: “YOU WIN! Or you could have won. Etc.”

And yet I’ve done absolutely nothing!

Moving on to the “Moral of the Story” we find a fine essay on the topic of public ownership and some more links. Meanwhile, all the bunny thing left me was some repetitious Latin music in my head.

The next installment: LibertarianTV.com.

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4:55 pm on August 16, 2004