Quote from: rocks on February 19, 2015, 05:44:52 PM

What I've never understood is why those who generally take a more collectivist view, can not just leave those who take more of an individualist view alone? What is it to Wendell, and the many like him, that make him want to force his world view on others? Why can't he just say "I disagree with crypto-currency and think it will fail" and leave it at that? So what is it to him if a minority of people decide to transact and use a different system? Is it some sense of moral superiority, or insecurity and the need to be right, or is it a fear that if individualists are allowed to choose their own path and live-and-let-be that more will join them and the collectivists will slowly run out of people to rob from?

As you can see, there are many splendid reasons for the collectivist to choose from. I'll add another big one: the fear of watching the outsider succeed. When you've lived your life according to what your parents, teachers, priests and peers have told you - you might have a safe spot in society and respect of your peers. Yet at the same time feel like you've wasted your potential. Not lived up to what could have been. Didn't do that round the world trip or write that book. So when you see someone trying to forfeit the cozy spot in society and the respect of their peers in order to try and grasp that singular, unique something their heart desires...you want them to fail. Because if they should succeed, it throws your whole life and what you have achieved into grave doubt and makes you question your self-image. And if there is one thing we can't bear to part with it is our illusions about ourselves.