Who are you?
I, Chance Phillips, am an economics PhD student at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. I also regularly freelance as a contributing reporter for the Alabama Political Reporter, a lovely news site operating out of the Yellowhammer State. And the digital agora Liberal Currents has deigned to host some of my spiels on current events, ancient political theorists, ancient events, and current political theorists.
So what’s Some Convenient Tree?
SCT is my clearing house for ideas, research notes, and hot takes that I don’t feel like pitching elsewhere, or that got rejected by all reputable publishers and editors with any modicum of discernment. If that sounds good to you, there should be a brightly colored button below.
Well, why is it called that?
The phrase “Some Convenient Tree” is taken straight from one of my favorite passages in Thomas Paine’s Common Sense:
“Some convenient tree will afford them a State-House, under the branches of which, the whole colony may assemble to deliberate on public matters. It is more than probable that their first laws will have the title only of Regulations, and be enforced by no other penalty than public disesteem. In this first parliament every man, by natural right, will have a seat.”
