Interview
Michael Malice: Anarchy, Democracy, Libertarianism, Love, and Trolling | Lex Fridman Podcast #128
- Michael Malice identifies as an anarchist, political thinker, and author of Dear Reader (about Kim Jong-il) and The New Right.
- Malice is of Ukrainian-Russian heritage, having immigrated to the U.S. at age 13; he plans to visit Ukraine and Russia with podcaster Chris Williamson to see his ancestral home.
- Malice contrasts American and Russian cultural norms, citing an anecdote where an American guest answered a knock at his door in an unfamiliar building, whereas a Russian would never do so due to a deep-seated distrust of strangers ("the moat of trust").
- Malice views love as a "disproportionately positive" reaction toward an entity, distinguishing it from mere liking, and argues that online mockery (the "Batman" approach) is a necessary tool to neutralize power, contrasting with the "Superman" approach of pure kindness which he deems ineffective against bad actors.
- Malice argues that the U.S. should "disunite" and allow states to secede, claiming the current union is held together by "dumb text and string" amidst mutual contempt, and suggests voluntary cohesion based on shared ideas rather than geography.
- Malice asserts that centralized state power during the pandemic lockdowns caused massive harm, crushing the "American Dream" of small business ownership and causing severe psychological damage through social isolation and ostracism.
- Malice argues that the concept of political representation based on geography is obsolete ("pre-cellphone technology") and that individuals should be able to choose their own security and legal representation like a service provider.
- Malice defines anarchy not as a utopia, but as a system where authority is delegitimized; he cites language as a prime example of a successful anarchist system where order emerges without a central governing body.
- Malice contends that democracy is flawed because those who need leaders are unqualified to choose them, and that the state's monopoly on violence leads to corruption and atrocities that would be checked by market competition and the option to exit in a free society.
- Malice critiques "cancel culture" as a form of Maoism implemented by corporate America to enforce ideological conformity, particularly within universities, which he views as institutions of domination rather than education.
- Malice disputes the notion that "Centrist" is a coherent political concept, arguing that Joe Biden represents a center-right record (voting for the crime bill, Bush, Patriot Act) and that the two-party system allows elites to seize machinery without needing a third party.
- Malice praises the Libertarian Party for successfully mainstreaming ideas like drug legalization and skepticism of police asset forfeiture, despite the party itself lacking electoral success.
- Malice defends Ayn Rand's Objectivism, arguing she asked the right questions and that her followers are often caricatured; he notes her philosophy of happiness and selfishness is often misunderstood as sociopathy.
- Malice describes his own persona as a "troll" in the tradition of Andy Kaufman, using irony and mockery to expose hypocrisy and protect values, distinguishing it from the sadistic trolling of low-status individuals on platforms like 4chan.
- Malice discusses the Jeffrey Epstein case as an example of how state and corporate power protect predators, noting the silence surrounding similar accusations against Republican figures like Dennis Hastert.
- Malice expresses skepticism regarding conspiracy theories as a worldview that removes randomness and beauty from life, yet admits he is investigating UFO sightings due to credible testimony from military professionals.
- Malice predicts that Donald Trump will not institute martial law despite having the opportunity, citing his refusal to intervene in Portland riots without a mayor's request as evidence of restraint.
- Malice views the upcoming Biden-Trump debate as a potential "game night" scenario, worrying Biden may dominate Trump through preparation but fearing the event will devolve into mockery rather than substantive discourse.
- Malice recommends The Machiavellians by James Burnham, The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand, and A Renegade History of the United States by Thaddeus Russell as essential reading.
- Malice concludes that the meaning of life is to view existence as a blank canvas to be painted rather than a problem to be solved, emphasizing the importance of making the world slightly better before one dies.