Philosophy of Living

[TheHumanist]

This topic will have to be moved. I know. But let it be here for a time to ensure the people I want to ask to read this.

Recently, I started reading In Mala Fide. One of the latest posts talks about the book “The Four Hour Workweek.” I have heard of that book before, but I never gave it much attention. Now from reading that article, I have to note that the book merits greater thought.

In the past, I consider it as just another book with a mix of practical and impractical advice that I should eventually read to build more foresight, but nothing genius. With the philosophy as something not special: pure hard work doesn’t necessarily equate wealth. Basically, the book is something of interest, but not a must read. I have to read the book for a true evaluation, but from the point of the article, the article points sounds like that it is the antithesis to how many members here work as well as my plans.

Break the rules, be as big of a parasite as possible, ignore all fairplay, and if you don't do that, you're fool that will come to regret it in the future years as Western civlization goes to the toilet.

This have a particular importance right now as I approach graduation. Seeing that the book is decently well-known, I have wonder what many of you think of the book or at least the article. The author of the book doesn't seem to go that far as the article concluded from the book.

My understanding of the members here, all of you have a day job. A good portion are entrepreneurs. But all of you do way more than just a 4 hour workweek. Sure, some that I’m aware are not the most common (like selling vodka at conventions in the company of lots of women), but still day jobs. My understanding that some do way more than 40 hours (I believe Backbreaker and Warrior are current examples. Also Str8up, while not around anymore, works a lot more than 40 for his buisiness).

Basically, while perhaps taking a partially less beaten path (like entrepreneurship), everyone here is still following the rules. Most went to college and paid/paying back the loans and not abandoned like the article said. Those who took the entrepreneurship path are paying to build it with loads of hours and hard work in building clientele rather than some shortcut. To my knowledge, you all have day jobs and even families rather than going off and travel the world while learning to ballroom dance.

So is anyone breaking the rules in the article’s sense (actually, come to think of it, that BigJimbo guy is, though quite unlike in this forum)? For those who are largely following the rules, how’s the payoff? For the article make it that the rules mean tip toeing on eggshells from possible sexual harassment laws, no job security no matter how well you perform, 80 hour workweek with low wage, struggle with women, and no appreciation.

 

[Rollo Tomassi]

I read that article too. I haven't read the book, but the reviews of it I've read are pretty much the same; it's big on ideas, but thin on applications. The Ayn Rand crowd are having a love-in over it philosophically, but the joke's really on them since they're essentially paying for a book filled with old ideas packaged as new ones.

Essentially it advocates exploiting the 'rules of the game' in order to get ahead while relying on the talents and resources of other people trapped in the 'work your ass off' mentality. I work with people like this constantly. The liquor industry is filled with this sociopathy. Before that it was the casino / gaming industry and that sector is teeming with the same ultra-rich, fast-follower leeches playing their middle managers against each other while they exploit the worker bees below them.

I have to say, I will agree with the author's analysis of modern industrialized working conditions in western society today. He nails it. I can't agree with his motivations - he's essentially a con man - since his 'leisure time' is mostly spent in hedonistic pursuits. Not a bad thing on the surface, but I think that if you're going to live your life gaming the system to the point that you have so much free time and resources you could use them to more productive ends. Those ends may be for your own benefit, or to solve a festering problem, or to innovate and forge new ideas.

The man who founded the company I now find myself in a fair amount of control over, was exactly this type of sociopath. His acts of charity were engineered for his own aggrandizement, he would shamelessly steal any idea he thought he could repackage and repurpose, he was a consummate egoist, but for all his exploits he did more than this author would have ever dreamed. He's a liar to be sure, but he was driven to accomplish things. His ambitions were his form of hedonism.

I work an even 40 hours a week, but I thoroughly enjoy what I do. I actually use my talents and my formal education daily. I make a good living at it and there are constant perks - the company of beautiful women, travel to Europe, South America, Caribbean, etc. I also receive a good amount of accolades and social proof for what I do. I even have time to post my diatribes on SS. It's a good life, but I still work a lot more than 4 hours a week. I do so because I like what I do, not because I have some ingrained work ethic. I've experienced enough in my time at the casinos and in this business to know that hard work - for the sake of hard work - is NEVER rewarded and only appreciated after you're dead.

I don't worry about much, but what I do worry about is getting too comfortable. A man has got to keep his edge. The better I get, the better I have to be. This is going to sound schmaltzy, but I model myself after Leonardo Da Vinci working for the Medici family in Renaissance Italy. I work for wealthy patrons who afford me the ability to pursue my other interests. My moderate effort for them is what I enjoy doing anyway and they reap the benefits while I'm free to be creative. Some ideas they use, some they don't.

A wise man once told me, "Rollo, there's a river of money out there, and all you need to do is find a way to divert some of that stream to your farm." I'm more interested in exploring life than ruling the world. There may be a lot more guys with a lot more money than me, but I guarantee my life experiences, my talents and gifts, the blessings I enjoy, far outstrip theirs.

 

[azanon]

Break the rules, be as big of a parasite as possible, ignore all fairplay, and if you don't do that, you're fool that will come to regret it in the future years as Western civlization goes to the toilet.

This have a particular importance right now as I approach graduation. Seeing that the book is decently well-known, I have wonder what many of you think of the book or at least the article. The author of the book doesn't seem to go that far as the article concluded from the book.

I haven't read the book, but I can tell you one truth I've come to realize having worked in government for over a decade which probably relates somewhat to what is taught in the book. What you make/how successful you are often has very little to do with how hard you work day-in and day-out. For those that "work" a typical 40 hr workweek, there are some who bust their ass the entire time they're at the office, and there are others that probably use a lot of the book's strategies, and ultimately end up with the same, if not higher salary.

Here's what I'd advise to a young person who wants to minimize how much you work. Instead of focusing on how many hrs/day you'll have to work when you start your career, think instead in terms of savings and retirement and work towards financial independence - that point where work becomes completely optional. Practically anyone should be able to develop an "exit strategy" which will get them retired prior to age 60, and possibly even prior to age 50. To take this approach in a serious fashion, you'd need to save a minimum of 15% gross earnings for retirement, and preferably 20%+ gross.

With IRAs/401(k)s/tax laws, and a life focused on savings instead of consumerism, you can eventually get to 0 hrs/week. Personally, I value my time more than anything that I could possibly buy. For example, before I buy something worth $300, I ask myself "Do I want this so bad that I'd be willing to work an entire day for just it?". After taxes are taken out, it takes me roughly a day to make $300. That question has stopped many of my purchases.

But concerning that author, I think his strategy for 4hrs/week was to write that book and sell it to others hoping to work 4hrs/week. Maybe the readers should write a similar book, and trick someone else?

If you're interested in implementing the early retirement/financial independence approach that I personally practice, these guys at this forum can help you: http://www.early-retirement.org/forums/

And, btw, congratulations on adopting the most effective "philosophy of life". I'm making reference to your handle. That puts you in rare company to not rely on an invisible means of support. You're already starting out with an edge to not have a mental crutch to make it through life or to be bound to arbitrary rules that extend beyond the laws of your country.

 

[sodbuster]

My cousin has worked awfully hard trying not to work. He was a hunting/fishing guide,bartender,trucker and now a cattle buyer. ALL of those jobs involve work, bad hours, or dealing with annoying people[work] MY thoughts on it.... you are going to work so hard trying to scam people that you might as well work