About

Reason. Liberty. Resistance.

Here on the S/V Danneskjöld interests lie in libertarianism, rational debate, personal development, self-defense, and sailing.

Boating classes several times a month, firearms training every other Monday, random books and a constant diet of widely sourced world news keep the mind and the spear sharp.

Philosophy

I am neither a slave, nor a slave owner; I know what is best for me, not what is best for others, and I value reason.

I respect others on these terms. I will not submit to being your slave, nor request you be mine. I will not accept your use of force to make me act in a manner I do not choose, nor will I use force to make you act as I desire. Reason is my primary tool, and persuasion my aim.

I will not be the first to use the force of violence, yet once violence is initiated against me I will meet it overwhelmingly by its own terms, and its resolution will be final.

What Does S/V Danneskjöld Mean?

Ragnar Danneskjöld is a character in Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged. You should read Atlas Shrugged. For those who cannot or will not, in summary, Danneskjöld is a pirate.

One among a cast of many characters attacking the same wrongs, Danneskjöld recognizes the modern understanding of Robin Hood to be the embodiment of societal evil. Specifically, the modern lesson of Robin Hood is to lionize ‘need.’ But need is not a virtue – ability is. Those who sap persons of ability in order to gain power and influence (or even the luxury of pity and charity) among those who ‘need,’ are Danneskjöld’s enemies.

He recognizes that society is ruled by looters who deal with he and others of ability by force, seizing their goods, services, and rights. He chooses first to withdraw his efforts and product from their system, and second, to meet the looters in open battle on their terms – their initiated force against his of retaliation.

Danneskjöld attacks, pillages, and sinks aid ships carrying looted products of productive men, intended to be given as charity to the unproductive. He sinks ships full of ore from nationalized mines destined for factories stolen from men of ability and given to those with government connections. He bombards facilities ashore which have been looted for the ‘public good’ from their owners.

From his proceeds, Danneskjöld creates bank accounts, depositing sums to be given back to the men and women of ability from whom the reclaimed goods were stolen.

Recognizing the value of accomplishment and the irrelevance of intention, Danneskjöld teaches a lesson sorely missed today.

In sum, Danneskjöld is an American hero. And so, my boat will be named in his honor. (s/v is the abbreviation for Sailing Vessel)