In European folklore, the leprechaun, gnome, and goblin have earned their places as timeless characters, each with distinct personalities, goals, and quirks. But viewed through a modern lens, these mythical beings aren’t just figures of fantasy .... they reflect the different approaches people take within modern society.
Each represents a unique relationship with wealth, work, and power, and together, they illustrate the balancing act that defines a thriving, free-market society.
These characters highlight three different types within any modern free market system: the diligent worker, the idealistic dreamer, and the power-driven opportunist.
When balanced, these traits allow for a society that values hard work, respects freedom, and encourages open discussion to keep ambitions in check.
But when the Goblins try and take over .... that is another matter entirely.
Leprechauns are industrious, fiercely self-reliant creatures. They spend their days creating something valuable with their hands. They embody the spirit of the hardworking citizen, someone who builds their own fortune through persistence, skill, and thrift. Every coin in a leprechaun’s pot of gold is hard-earned, a testament to the virtue of personal responsibility and the benefits of a free market that rewards dedication and self-discipline.
Leprechauns show us the value of personal initiative and conservative financial planning. They’re skeptical of get-rich-quick schemes, holding tight to their wealth and outwitting those who try to take it from them. For a leprechaun, wealth isn’t just about personal gain; it’s about independence, security, and the freedom to create a life free from dependence on others. In this way, they serve as a reminder that individual effort and cautious stewardship of resources are cornerstones of a healthy and thriving society.
Gnomes, in contrast, represent a different side of things.... one that values innovation, creativity, and intellectual freedom. They live a humble life, focusing more on ideas, harmony with nature, and exploring alternative ways of living. In a modern society, they might be seen as the entrepreneurial thinkers and innovators, those who pursue ideas for the joy of discovery rather than purely for profit. They might also be environmentalists ( as opposed to leftie green activists ) or people like Sir Edmund Hillary or similar.
Unlike leprechauns, gnomes aren’t as interested in accumulating wealth. They might be the small business owners, artists, or thinkers who see capitalism and money not only as a means to earn a living but as a platform for self-expression and innovation. Gnomes remind us that a free-market society is also about the freedom to explore and create, not just accumulate. And they thrive when there’s a strong emphasis on free speech, as it allows them to pursue and share bold ideas that can ultimately improve the system itself.
Goblins, meanwhile, represent the darker side of humanity. Known for their trickery, greed, and disregard for others, goblins are opportunistic and self-serving. They don’t build or create; they take. In modern terms, goblins embody the type of individuals who manipulate systems for their own benefit without providing real value in return – the ones who cut corners, dodge accountability, or lobby for rules that give them unfair advantages. Much like too many of our modern bureaucrats and politicians and activists.
In a society that values free speech and transparency, however, goblins’ power is limited. A healthy society depends on a free press, open dialogue, and accountability to ensure that goblin-like figures are checked by the community and kept from abusing their influence. Goblins remind us of the importance of personal ethics, competition, and regulations that protect fair play, ensuring that free enterprise doesn’t become an unchecked playground for exploitation.
These three folklore figures together paint a picture of the different roles that exist within a thriving society. Each brings essential elements to the system, but without the checks and balances provided by free speech, transparency, and competition, the goblin-like opportunists would run amok, and gnomes might struggle to bring innovative ideas to light. The leprechauns would flee and take their hard earned pots of gold with them.
Leprechauns embody the spirit of our way of life by proving that hard work and dedication pay off, creating self-reliance and individual wealth that contribute to the overall economy.
Gnomes add creativity and innovation, reminding us that a market economy isn’t just about profit; it’s also about ideas, freedom, and the exploration of new ways to add value.
Goblins, though, represent the negative potential within our world; they teach us the need for vigilance, and the value of free speech in holding power accountable. They remind us of what we could lose if the leprechauns and gnomes are wiped out or silenced.
Ultimately, these folklore different types remind us that a free-market system thrives on both competition and collaboration, but it can only remain balanced through open discourse and debate.
Free speech is the lifeblood of a FREE society because it enables people to speak out against corruption, propose new ideas, and celebrate genuine achievement.
Personally, I would liked to give the goblins a shove. They are thieves and do nothing for us.
This is an opinion piece Should it be banned under the MAD legislation?
What say you? Should the goblins be allowed to take over? I say NO.
Thank goodness Trump just got elected in America. Perhaps he can hold the global goblins at bay.....
