I tend to listen to audio books in the mornings and night while walking and I am reading (listening) to Waldon currently. Though I have read this twice already, I think I am only mature enough now to realize the complexity of his thoughts; one of which caught me yesterday, quiet desperation. This thought resonated with me as i reflected on my current life built around the mantra of wealth accumulation and yet conversly, I think of the opposte spectum, a man who is a nomad but accumlates a wealth of experience through travel. Both characters have their appeal (middle ground has never been an attractive option of mine) and i am well aware of the adage, the grass is always greener. Surely, many of you have already addressed such a thought, or at the very least a vestige, and for those who have I would be interested in hearing your thoughts.
I just farted so loud I think somebody heard it in the hallway. I should try to fart quieter in the future.
suppygov, would you mind defining the term “quiet desperation” as it is intended in Walden? It’s been quite some time since I read it.
WaldEn. “The vast majority of men lead lives of quiet desperation.” (I may have remembered the exact phrasing incorrectly)
Well, there’s a reason that line is famous over 150 years later. It seems to fit our times as well as his.
I’ve always felt that there must be a reason for accumulating money, and that money should not be accumulated for money’s own sake: it is at best pointless, and at worst destructive (temptations to addiction, weird compulsions, the desire to manipulate others for one’s own entertainment).
What you want money for will change as you go through life, but decide what you need money for, and then find a way to accumulate what you need, rather than grab as much money as you can and figure that you’ll figure out the rest later. So the importance of moments like traveling and Walden Pond is that they connect you to what it is that makes you feel alive and meaningful, then you end up focusing on that.
If you were poor growing up, one of the reasons you want money is probalby to assure yourself that you’ll never get back to that level of deprivation. But once you’re safely out of it, take a moment to reevaluate your priorities and desires.
Sup yo gov why you switching up your steez homeboy . I much preferred when you were dropping bro science on us.
I pump mine aggressively into my seat cushion.
Despite our differences on this forum, I knew you have crossed paths with this subject one time or another, and thus i was awaiting your response. Defining what I need in such a materialistic upbringing has proven very difficult. I recall the thread here about the average salary needed to obtain the “american dream” and statements made there regarding a life of simple essentials. Yet, applying this would go against the grain of competitiveness which is the key driver towards keeping up with the joneses.
BWYF, he devotes a good amount of time on said subject. One segment that I can relate to currently, given my research on buying real estate, pertains to comparing civilized men who live in the north east vs savages (his terms). He describes natives as those who live in temporary tents vs a settler who purchases a house on credit. He continues by describing the perception of the civilized man to be on a higher social level than the native given his shelter, and yet, describes the perverse nature of doing so. The native owns his tent and lives on his own terms whereas the settler (described as the common man), has a 15-30 period of indebtedness from the shelter alone. That period is extended due to the common man’s desires to decorate in the finest quality. To steal a poster’s comment before, he is basically making the realization of your possessions owning you.
I’ve been told this many times, brah. Sadly, i diganosed myself with split personalities contingent on the weather. Today happens to be a rainy day. I suggest you check the forecast for the next sunny day when my ego is present. Until then, you will have to ignore the statements to follow (excluding the one below).
If need be, check out my bro from brooklyn’s youtube page, dom mazzetti. Despite being one of the most witty people i know, he will, without doubt, be able to fufill your broscience needs.
i think taleb makes a similar point arguing for the superiority of having optionality in one’s life. If you take debt out of the equation you could argue that the settler has just as much optionality as the savage, provided he doesn’t define his happiness by owning a house.
Good discussion. This is at the heart of the minimalist movement.
^I scrolled through that thread but didn’t give it the attention it deserves. After reading it again, your sentiment is very similar to where i stand now. My friend who i lived in nyc for a few years (we were in a high rise lux apartment in fidi) quit all that and moved to costa rica with his gf. He has wifi, endless books, and explores the globe.
The aspect that enslaves me is pride, this i understand all to well. The question remains, and i should preface i am not a bsd by any means, but at the same time, i earn a very respectable living, work and live in the city, drive a lux car, have high end clothes ect. This has come to define me.
The questions get even tougher as you get older. Such as, should I borrow a bit of money to buy out my boss and try to make a ton of money, or should I just hang, live a simpler and less risky life, although very comfortable.
I don’t want to get older, but there is one thing that makes being older attractive: I hope to have the money to live large. I turn 50 this year and I certainly realize that being old sucks; being old and broke would suck even more.
I definitely want to get older. The alternative does not look very appealing.
To the larger point, if you live well within your means, you are as free as you are going to get.
This is something I think about from time to time. What stops me from doing anything radical is not pride as much as what you’re giving up seems so final. You can always stop working in the city and move to an oasis and farm/fish. The difficult part would be if in two years you’re bored how do you transition back into modern city life without starting from the bottom all over. Would people look at you seriously for a good job if you spent the last two years fishing on the coast of Grand Bahama and writing a book? I gotta admit the idea of doing that sounds amazing, but I get so worried that there would be no return from that if it turned out to be the wrong decision. I guess while I make up my mind I’ll chase that pie in the sky.
I call it the “train of life.” Easy to step off, much harder to get back on.
But for some people (like my wife), living within your means is not living well.
And to live well, you can’t live within your means.
Yeah, my brother’s fiance’(parasite) said “Why would you save your money?” She also said to him, “If you loved me, you would buy it for me.” He has turned into an idiot overnight. Saved easily 25%+ of his gross for years. That has now gone to zero.
Whoa. Sorry to hear. I hope she doesn’t leave. It sounds like the well has dried up. Not saying it’s going to happen, but I wouldn’t be surprised.
I hope she disappears. I would solicit help if it was legal.
Yea. I was more thinking from his perspective it would suck if she did, but long-term it’s probably better. That’s a lot of bullshit for not even being married yet.