We all had a great and producttive time in Colorado at this event, sponsored by the Limited Government Forum. It was a record attendance and all the speeches were great. Doug French’s new book was rushed in from our warehouse, and I had my first look at it. It is just beautiful, and the first book to really answer the question “why?” concerning the most famous bubbles in history.
The theme of the conference concerned the parallels between the 1930s and today, and it became clearer than ever the way misunderstanding history can have just a huge effect on our future. The talks clarified the New Deal in ways that were quite devastating. You might say it was subversive of all conventional wisdom. The talks will be online in the coming weeks.
And here is my instant cultural roundup of Colorado based on one day’s observations. The people are forthright and direct talking like in the Midwest (everyone is a friend) but rugged with a pioneering spirit like Texas. There are no strict class lines discernible in dress or accent. The people drive everywhere and eschew walking unless they are wearing the right gear. They fear rain (even rain in the forecast causes people to fear for their lives) but think snow is completely normal and uneventful. Anyone who takes notice of the huge deer walking along sidewalks is obviously a noob.
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Thanks to the Mises Institute and the Limited Government Forum for a great day here in the Springs. Come back to Colorado–the weather REALLY is better than this!
Will those of us who couldn’t make it have the privilege of listening to recordings of the speeches given?
Great job, Mises Institute.
“And here is my instant cultural roundup of Colorado based on one day’s observations. The people are forthright and direct talking like in the Midwest (everyone is a friend) but rugged with a pioneering spirit like Texas. There are no strict class lines discernible in dress or accent. The people drive everywhere and eschew walking unless they are wearing the right gear. They fear rain (even rain in the forecast causes people to fear for their lives) but think snow is completely normal and uneventful. Anyone who takes notice of the huge deer walking along sidewalks is obviously a noob.”
This is a decent summation of the culture in Colorado. One thing I would disagree with is that people do drive everywhere. In many ways, Colorado (especially around the university areas) is a biking culture since many people around here are environmental conscious. I do respect the fact that although Colorado is considered a “green” state, they do not try to enforce it through government; rather they encourage it through the culture.
Well, I’m certainly glad I drove through that blizzard to get to the event in the Springs. The event was both informative and entertaining, which is all the more remarkable since I’ve heard all the presenters give many talks before.
It was also a great opportunity to meet some fellow local libertarians whom I normally never get a chance to see.
I hope LvMi returns to Colorado soon.
Sorry you missed visiting us, and sorry the storm kept us from the Springs. Keep up the great work!
We were so disappointed that the snowstorm kept us home. We wouldn’t be able to make it if the gig was today either. No snow all winter and then we get hammered when we finally want to go somewhere.
Jahfre Fire Eater
Black Hawk, CO
Thanks to all of you for sharing part of your weekend with those of us who attended. As always, the presentations were engaging and, even for those of us in the “choir”, there was plenty to learn.
My quick impressions: all the speakers were unusually personable, the audience was remarkably tall, Jeff’s sartorial excellence continues, and I was the “noob” (yes, I pointed out the deer on the front lawn).
It was great to meet all of you from the institute.
Thomas E. Woods did a fantastic job explaining the depression of 1920-21, explaining the ABCT in clear and concise terms, and motivating listeners to actively advocate free markets. Well done!
Thank you LvMI for a wonderful event yesterday. As a young Austro-Libertarian-Anarchist I was delighted to see so many people of all age ranges attending.
At our table was a young man who graduated high school last year and is currently only working. He had to have spent well over $300 at the bookstore before the event kicked off. This young man was with his father whom it seemed was brought to the conference at the insistence of his 19 year old son; truly heroic and a sign of things to come!
A special thanks to Dr. Woods for taking the time on Friday night to travel to the University of Colorado Boulder to discuss Austrian Business Cycle Theory. The audience was over 200 people and seemed to be split 1/3 Libertarian, 1/3 Conservative and 1/3 Liberal. Many people had never even heard the basic concept of the ABCT let alone how it applies to the current economic crisis.
Keep up the great work and hopefully we see you in Colorado soon.
I wanted to add my sincere thanks to the Mises Institute for this event. Not only was it highly intelligent and informative, it was inspiring. Hearing Jeffery Tucker describe the increase in web traffic, downloads, and book sales gives confidence that the Austrian theory is spreading and people are waking up. For this, I am most thankful and grateful for the work done at the LvMI.
It was great fun too! Now if only I could find somebody to pony up the dough for a Columbus Mises Circle, that would be just peachy.
It was a wonderful event, especially combined with the talk Dr. Woods gave at CU the night before.
The speakers were all accessible and friendly, and Walter Block even made a point to come round to each table a give a cheerful hello.
All the speakers were interesting and entertaining.
Thanks for coming out to the west!
I can not wait to hear the speakers on your media page! I surely hope to be privlidged enough to attend one of the Mises conferences one day. I devour all the speakers that Mises spotlights!
It is so wonderful to hear such logical sensible men and women speak with such knowledge and clarity.
I find myself so disappointed with the inane sludge that is spewed from the MSM talking heads.
These “experts” on TV fill the masses with muddled rambling jargon posessing no logical framework or coheasive argument. Just silly assurances that this or that boondoggle is sure to work, probably, they think.
No clear explanation as to why? Just “See this chart? It been going up so we think we are going to break out!”
And “Oh I think the ressesion will end in 2010 or maybe the end of 09.” You do? Why?
No explanations, just proclamations. I feel sorry for the fools and their money.
Thank you Mises.org and all the Austrian economists who have inspired so many and shown us the light!
This was our second Circle seminar and it was worth the drive for us as well. My guy drove from Washington to Montana, and then we journeyed down south for our first time ever through Wyoming and in to Colorado. It was a great adventure!
Mr. Tucker, your talk was very enjoyable and enlightening. Perhaps Mises.org needs a page devoted to songs of Austrian economists, no? I love your passion, as well as everyone else’s there, both speaking and in attendance. Again, another lunch with no talk of professional sports or American Idol (at least at my table). Heaven!
Having lived in Washington and now Montana, I haven’t tired yet of looking at deer, elk, raccoon, antelope, hawks, eagles, and many other wonders of nature.
I believe that there is a subtle magnetism in Nature, which, if we unconsciously yield to it, will direct us aright. ~Henry David Thoreau
I wasn’t in attendence, wish i could have made it, and am just curious if Lew Rockwell was at this conference? The guy has a great radio voice, and has become an intellectual mentor of mine.
I wasn’t in attendence, wish I could have made it, and am just curious if Lew Rockwell was at this conference? The guy has a great radio voice, and has become an intellectual mentor of mine. Great to hear about so many youngins getting into the group. Look for more, you certainly occupy my facebook page’s status.
I was there and yes, it was wonderful. Tom Woods book flew off the table. And my only disappointment was no audio copies for my 8 hour drive home.
Did you know the semis must go somewhere and reproduce when interstates are closed by snow storms? Driving home yesterday was bumper to bumper semis from the merge of I-76 to York when they started to thin out and they could be seen commandeering rest areas for a few winks.
I was there and yes, it was wonderful. Tom Woods book flew off the table. And my only disappointment was no audio copies for my 8 hour drive home.
Did you know the semis must go somewhere and reproduce when interstates are closed by snow storms? Driving home yesterday was bumper to bumper semis from the merge of I-76 to York when they started to thin out and they could be seen commandeering rest areas for a few winks.
Mr. Hill,
Unfortunately, Lew was not at this event. A pity I suppose. I know from experience that Lew is every bit as personable and approachable as the other speakers.
Just one correction. “attendance ages 18 to 50″. I was there and I am 85 & still learning. Thank you for the great opportunity.
S. Martin — wonderful! I’m also over 50.. I’m 66 but I was very glad to see the young and obviously more affluent 30 somethings there because they are our future.
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