Kinsella on Liberty Podcast, Episode 329.
Lift Talks #1 —Telluride March 2021 — With Kinsella & Sammeroff.
Two libertarian blokes on a ski vacation. Filmed Tuesday March 30, 2021, Telluride Ski Resort.
Grok summary shownotes: In the "Lift Talks" episode recorded in Telluride, Colorado, Stephan Kinsella and Anthony Sammeroff deliver a dynamic conversation while riding ski lifts, starting with humorous reflections on their trip [0:00-9:00]. They discuss their skiing adventures, hot springs visits, and encounters with COVID-19 mask policies, including a tense plane incident involving a dropped tissue and a stewardess enforcing federal mask laws [3:46-5:57]. Their libertarian perspective shines through as they mock passive-aggressive mask enforcers and recount a refreshing interaction with a store clerk who opposed mask mandates [6:09-7:06]. The hosts also share personal stories, like Sammeroff’s flirtatious banter about a vegan woman and a chance meeting with a friend from a yoga retreat, highlighting cultural differences between American and European directness [7:12-8:27].
The conversation deepens as they explore libertarian philosophy and critique political ideologies [21:11-36:29]. They debate the right’s realism versus the left’s egalitarianism, asserting that libertarians provide intellectual foundations often stolen by conservatives [21:17-22:28]. A discussion with guest Peggy around [44:02-48:46] reveals her partial alignment with libertarianism but concerns about policing without government, prompting Kinsella and Sammeroff to advocate for privatized security and critique public sector failures, like a case where police neglected rape victims [47:36-48:25]. The episode concludes with reflections on their friendship, Sammeroff’s newfound opportunities in America, and plans for future episodes, all infused with humor and philosophical insights [50:01-54:45].
Grok detailed shownotes and Transcript below.
[Update: Tom Woods and Antony discuss his travels across American in Ep. 1895 Traveling Through COVID America. Also mentioned in KOL462 | CouchStreams After Hours on Break the Cycle with Joshua Smith (2021).]
https://youtu.be/d1ZY0xm7coY?si=PJCg8cJDL3yxYjSl
Part 2: KOL330 | Lift Talks #2 With Kinsella & Sammeroff
https://youtu.be/W-zKMncu4jo?si=u_4smoT1fG-IchTC
Cross-posted on Scottish Liberty podcast.
Bonus video:
Three day skiing video compilation telluride March 2021
Grok detailed shownotes
Bullet-Point Summary with Time Markers and Descriptions for 10-15 Minute Blocks
0:00-10:00: Introduction and Ski Trip Anecdotes
Description: The episode opens with Stephan Kinsella and Anthony Sammeroff introducing their "Lift Talks" concept while riding a gondola in Telluride, Colorado. They share photos from their trip, including hot springs visits and skiing with hosts Peggy and David. The conversation is lighthearted, focusing on their skiing experiences and humorous takes on mask enforcement.
Summary: The hosts discuss their first two days skiing, including a visit to Orvis Hot Springs and a funny incident where Sammeroff struggled with the COVID-19 vaccine’s effects [2:00-2:12]. They recount a plane incident where a couple and stewardess chided Sammeroff for not wearing his mask properly [3:46-5:04], reflecting their libertarian disdain for mandates. They also mention meeting a store clerk who opposed masks, revealing a shared skepticism [6:09-7:06].
10:01-20:00: Libertarian Banter and Cultural Observations
Description: The hosts continue their lift ride, joking about their skiing skills, privilege, and cultural differences between Americans and Europeans. They touch on libertarian figures like Jeffrey Tucker and share stories from hot springs, including an encounter with a Native American man spouting spiritual beliefs.
Summary: Sammeroff and Kinsella playfully debate their skiing prowess and privilege [10:00-10:26], with Sammeroff joking about needing a “privilege diet.” They critique American passive-aggressiveness compared to European directness [5:22-5:57] and recount a hot springs visit where a Native American man preached about rock and water [16:56-17:26]. The conversation briefly turns philosophical, questioning objective reality, but they pivot back to humor [18:19-18:30].
20:01-30:00: Political Philosophy and Right vs. Left Critique
Description: The discussion shifts to political theory, with the hosts critiquing the right’s realism and the left’s egalitarianism. They argue that libertarians provide intellectual foundations for conservatives, who often dismiss them. They also share stories from their travels, including an Uber driver’s shift toward free-market ideas.
Summary: Kinsella and Sammeroff challenge Hans-Hermann Hoppe’s view that the right is more realistic, arguing that conservatives co-opt libertarian ideas without gratitude [21:17-22:28]. They discuss an Uber driver in Auburn who moved from Democratic to free-market sympathies after researching Trump [39:26-40:10]. The hosts also mention Oprah’s bridge in Telluride, mocking its extravagance [20:51-21:03].
30:01-40:00: Libertarian Theory and Legal Philosophy
Description: The conversation deepens into the distinctions between political philosophy, political theory, and legal theory. They explore libertarianism as a normative framework for law and economics, contrasting it with Marxist or conservative approaches. The hosts also plan a catered dinner and discuss mask preferences with the chef.
Summary: Kinsella explains libertarianism as a normative political philosophy that argues for what law should be, distinguishing it from descriptive legal theory [33:04-36:29]. They critique political economy’s historical focus on state-run economies versus modern economics’ broader scope [37:31-38:01]. The hosts mention a chef asking about mask preferences, planning to gauge public sentiment on mandates [27:36-28:03].
40:01-50:00: Guest Appearance and Libertarian Solutions
Description: Guest Peggy joins the lift talk, expressing cautious support for libertarianism but raising concerns about policing without government. The hosts advocate for privatized security and critique public police failures. They also share lighthearted moments, like joking about a feminist T-shirt.
Summary: Peggy agrees with less government but questions how to handle crime without police [44:02-45:12]. Kinsella and Sammeroff argue that private security would be more accountable, citing a case where police failed rape victims due to no legal obligation to protect [47:36-48:25]. They joke about a T-shirt reading “She Wants the Destruction of Patriarchy” [42:28-42:40].
50:01-55:23: Reflections and Closing
Description: The episode wraps up with reflections on their friendship, Sammeroff’s opportunities in America, and plans for future episodes. They share clips of skiing and dinner party photos, maintaining a humorous and optimistic tone.
Summary: Sammeroff credits Kinsella for his newfound opportunities, including speaking engagements and book deals, contrasting this with his past in Scotland [51:41-53:50]. They joke about Kinsella’s past drinking and his book “Against Intellectual Property” [50:43-51:15]. The episode ends with a call for feedback on “Lift Talks” and photos from a beef Wellington dinner [54:39-55:16].
This summary captures the episode’s blend of humor, personal anecdotes, and libertarian philosophy, segmented into digestible blocks for show notes.
Transcript
0:00
all right this is stefan kinsella and anthony summeroff will be joining me these are some
0:05
photographs of our trip to telluride our first day or two before we get to
0:11
this is the hot springs the orvis hot springs and ridgeway that we went to and this is uh
0:17
me and anthony on the left and me and anthony and david
0:22
and peggy are gracious hosts a few pictures taken on top of the
0:27
mountain me and anthony and then this is uh peggy and david and anthony
0:33
and here's me afraid to go down a hyper mowgli black which i did not go down and here
0:39
we go this is uh the beginning of lift talks
0:45
with anthony summeroff and stephen gonzalo how are you doing there i think
0:50
excellent you're looking forward to having a good lift talk on the left oh sure this has been like one of the best holidays
0:56
ever and we're only on the second freaking day i know i know right i know right okay we'll see
1:02
you on the left okay so this is we're about to get on the gondola head up
1:08
about to get on the gondola they ask you to put this over your mouth and nose which is what [ __ ]
1:29
[Music]
1:36
nicely done that was just a majestic as a gazelle
1:46
all right how elegantly i can compensate for my errors in life ah peace and quiet okay this is tuesday
1:54
we skied yesterday and we're on our second day starting off late starting off late because someone
2:00
couldn't get out of bed someone's recovering from the covet vaccine number two which all my libertarian friends warned me about
2:06
taking but i just didn't listen yeah you should have injected that poison into your
2:12
bloodstream yeah and feeling the effects so this whole trip has turned into a kobe trip because all
2:18
you do is complain about covet and get us in trouble and almost get kicked off of dead airplanes yeah so i
2:24
guess we should introduce you into some of the characters that we've met do you want to sit here so that we
2:29
can both be in the frame and tell the story i'll sit by you sweetie yeah you'll get some nice views
2:34
this is such a great idea i love this show the samurai can sell the show so
2:41
