Open Range

'All the perplexities, confusion and distresses in America arise not from defects in the constitution or confederation, nor from want of honor or virtue, as much from downright ignorance of the nature of coin, credit, and circulation.' - John Adams (letter to Thomas Jefferson)

'Paper money eventually returns to its intrinsic value - zero.' - Voltaire

'The beginning of a revolution is in reality the end of a belief.' - Gustave Le Bon

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This journal was created to provide information to help the global water-man / surfer seek potentially new ideas and strategies for a successful independent lifestyle around the world. Knowledge is power but learning to how apply past experiences and data to current situations is much like learning a new way to ride energy more successfully. The great thing about our sport is the will to seek 'the ultimate ride' through continued adventure and planning.

A major theme to plan is proper physical health as well as an ideal financial state of being. It is quite possible that the world around us will continue to evolve rapidly but also repeat in cycles which can be rewarded to those who embrace change. If someone were to seek a better lifestyle around the ocean with a growing economy it might have taken some imagination to envision the significant changes here in North County San Diego, California. The demographic change in the past 50 years has been amazing enabling those who forged into the region with great opportunities and the consistency of the surf remains solid attracting crowds. This has been kind of a two edged sword as one may hear older surfers complain about the 'uncrowded' good old days but you hear little squabble from those that easily benefited from the significant demographic changes providing economic opportunities.

The life of a contrarian can be lonely but also rewarding and fun. Dr. Marc Faber [1] had taught me 'in order to be a good contrarian one must first understand what one is (specifically) contrarian about.' In essence one may best achieve success at any endeavor by best knowing thyself and their external environment. A respect for real history and 'first-hand' knowledge from respected elders helps encourage conviction in any endeavor going against the masses. A young aspiring surfer could still come to Southern California today to learn (as I did at age 31) and seek a better life but the world is now opening up to areas of opportunity thanks to technology and advancements in emerging / frontier countries / markets around the world.

I always perceived a successful surfer to be much like a cowboy as one needed to embrace the wild elements and adapt to a variety of conditions. Much of the american west was defined by an agrarian lifestyle greatly honoring soil content (farming) and the natural surroundings for ranching. Geology was of interest as mining was a significant focus. One quick trip to Hearst Castle in the Central Coast and you may be surprised to learn the area was developed not because of the prowess of a newspaper magnet but his father who was a legend in mining (hence the 'Golden State').

Despite the age of vastly improved information technology it's not uncommon to find times when mass psychology seems to drive the 'madness of crowds.' [2] Many migrated west in North America seeking opportunity - 'Go west young man' - Horace Greeley / Manifest Destiny.  Another great reason many forged west in the later part of the 1800's was because of the collapse of the 'Greenback' (today's version of the Federal Reserve Note otherwise known as the U.S. Dollar) after the civil war creating a primary driver for an attraction to assets of real intrinsic value. President Lincoln went outside the expected channels for capital, excluding European financial conglomerates creating continental notes backed by the treasury (nothing but the power to tax). As can be expected not only did the currency collapse due to excessive supply to fund the war but the President's move against the central financial centers (creating currency out of nothing at interest - a direct violation of competition to the banking cartel power center) was found to be hazardous to his health. The important point of this history is many strong and resourceful individuals obtained real assets (no counter-party risk / nobody's liability) which have retained intrinsic value throughout the ages.

- The Western is a genre of various arts which tell stories set primarily in the later half of the 19th century in the American Old West, often centering on the life of a nomadic cowboy armed with a revolver and a rifle who rides a horse. [Wikipedia]

Cowboys in North America represented a unique form of freedom during a time when the 'New World' in the North American west was becoming settled. Movies like 'Open Range' often help bring back the viewer to a time when people with a passion for life attended to 'live-stock' rather than investment accounts (hence stock market) as a form of working capital and a lifestyle of principal and character.

Bearing Points -

- Cowboys / Ranchers lived their passion in open spaces and used various forms of currencies, coins and commodity capital as money. This unique time away from the comforts of home in a frontier economy required continual diligence and the proper knowledge of many endeavors.

- New frontiers are emerging again as technology and the migration of people and capital is changing.

- Comprehending new forms of money will be essential to the international water man/woman.  Respecting and learning from the past as we move to a brave new global world is essential.

- Cattle & sheep have been used all over the world as a medium of exchange. Homer describes the use of Oxen for this purpose. The Italian's and New Englanders at various points used cattle for money. Our word pecuniary comes from the Latin pecunia, money, and that is derived from pecas, cattle, pointing to this early usage back to the dark ages (employed by Scotland & Whales after the abandonment of Britain by the Romans). [3]

- As children (or in the Navy) we played / reported back to a 'yard' much like cattle (stock yard). Corporations use 'Human Resources' to find correct placement for working capital. Food for thought will be often referenced in this blog as we wish to no longer remain treated as sheep or a grass cow much less a 'beef' cow.

- The aspiring surfer may best 'ride the wave of change' by traveling to emerging economies continuing to embrace & respect other cultures. New business ideas are often best discovered by looking at open ranges from a 'boots on the ground' perspective.

- Weapons were essential tools for function & survival in a world filled with unknown challenges and adversity. The gunman often held a 'code' or ethical principals resulting in a heritage relished by many world-wide.

- Surfer / Explorers can learn much from this period as we seek freedom and enlightenment in a smaller world.

Talk slowly but think quickly (old cowboy saying) -

C

P.S. In 2004 I was fortunate to meet Mr. Duvall Las Vegas.  It was noted he was into some projects in Argentina. I later met Mr. Duvall in Buenos Aires with his wife Luciana, a most famous tango dancer, and was surprised to see his father was a USNA '24 Grad and a native of Virginia & San Diego. Mr. Duvall's comments towards 'The Southern Cone' were interesting as it reminded him of a unique place where many 'open spaces' still exist with diverse culture.

[1] - https://www.gloomboomdoom.com/about-marc-faber/biography/

[2] - Extraordinary Delusions and The Madness of Crowds - Charles McKay (1841)

[3] - The Banker's Magazine - 'Money and It's Functions' - Vol 37 - University of California (1883)