Over 40 years ago, Paul Anderson penned a description of one of the great and enduring libertarian nightmares: the totalitarian state coupled with an all encompassing computer network. Annoyed by the petty regulations of what was even then a very statist Europe during a bicycle trip, Anderson carried that trend to its logical conclusion in a future, totalitarian America, producing “Sam Hall.”

The story centers around Thornberg, the head technician operating “Matilda,” the great mainframe containing the central citizen database. Matilda monitors all aspects of daily life, recording every transaction, every long distance travel, every possible misstep which might alert the authorities to suspicious activity.

After a distant relative is arrested on suspicion of subversive activities, Thornberg uses his access to conceal his relationship to him. Consumed with guilt over having disowned his relative, Thornberg releases his anger at the system by creating a fictitious individual in the database, named Sam Hall after a murderer in an old English drinking song. As the story progresses, this non-existent mystery man becomes the focal point of discontent. As Thornberg continues to embellish his reputation by slyly altering computer reports, the rebel underground begins to use him as their rally cry. Eventually the forces of freedom (the “Libertarian!”—How’s that for accurate prediction?) Overthrow the police state and Matilda is destroyed.

Almost 50 years ago, Paul Anderson was articulating the concerns being voiced today by the Electronic Frontier Foundation, the Electronic Privacy Information Center and others. This cautionary tale regarding the power which would belong to anyone who could actually control the flow of information in this country reads very well today, though some of the technology has been superceded, of course. As always, Anderson builds his story around the humanity of his characters and how they respond to challenges they face. A final word from Poul Anderson: “The duty of those who love free-dom is to ward off tyrants both outside and inside their countries. Then perhaps revolution will never be necessary.”

A story was published in Analog in April, 1989 that one would think would’ve been taken to heart instantly by libertarians. But instead, it’s virtually forgotten. This story is “Hackers,” by Rick Cook. It’s set in an alternate timeline, where the Sputnik program failed and the space-race never happened; Individual rocket-racers and organizations put people into space. The National Geographic society put men on the moon in 1975. The narrator hints that people are regularly exploring the moon in 1989, space station are in place, and man is planning to go to Mars.

“Hackers” concerns Crazy Eddie, an astronaut from our world who wants very much to have one more ride into space. He sneaks aboard the spaceship belonging to the narrator and his friend, gets his ride, then bring the ship down safely when it’s crippled in space.

Eddie’s story of his origins as related to the rocketmen is powerfully told; when he says that his government spent billions on space and got little in return, one is forcefully reminded of America’s failing to do much with space.

Cook's point is that individual effort is cheaper and better than the wasteful government, which spends billions and achieves less. Libertarians should like this story, but they’ll have to find the issue of Analog in which it appeared; it’s never been reprinted, to my knowledge.