Liberty lovers are sometimes accused of being "atomistic," taking individualist values out to its most extreme. It's a perspective that could easily be ridiculed at its edges, even if the thrust of individualism is an American virtue.

One theorist last year suggested that modern-day Somalia is a pretty neat place, as it is a stateless geographical area. Starvation rates have declined slightly, seemed to be the nub of the observation.

Now we have a first-world experiment in extreme individualism brewing. A Shetland Island, inhabited by one tent dweller, is claiming sovereignty.

While I wish this Shetlander all the best, a society of one seems hardly to be a good experiment. Even Robinson Crusoe had Friday, yes?

-RC