tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post820605440459286177..comments2024-03-25T15:17:04.488-07:00Comments on Captain Capitalism: Drawbacks of "Making It"Captain Capitalismhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05620212946121617985noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-17520303278199318012013-06-07T19:21:05.859-07:002013-06-07T19:21:05.859-07:00This is a bookmark for me! I'm so glad someone...This is a bookmark for me! I'm so glad someone else out there feels the way I do; I think I am going mad with all of these weak, conformist, debt-ridden drones.<br /><br />"We have discovered happiness" -- say the Last Men, and they blink. <br /><br /> They have left the regions where it is hard to live; for they need warmth. One still loves one's neighbor and rubs against him; for one needs warmth. <br /><br /> Turning ill and being distrustful, they consider sinful: they walk warily. He is a fool who still stumbles over stones or men! <br /><br /> A little poison now and then: that makes for pleasant dreams. And much poison at the end for a pleasant death. <br /><br /> One still works, for work is a pastime. But one is careful lest the pastime should hurt one. <br /><br /> One no longer becomes poor or rich; both are too burdensome. Who still wants to rule? Who still wants to obey? Both are too burdensome. <br /><br /> No shepherd, and one herd! Everyone wants the same; everyone is the same: he who feels differently goes voluntarily into the madhouse. <br /><br /> "Formerly all the world was insane," -- say the subtlest of them, and they blink. <br /><br /> They are clever and know all that has happened: so there is no end to their derision. People still quarrel, but are soon reconciled -- otherwise it upsets their stomachs. <br /><br /> They have their little pleasures for the day, and their little pleasures for the night, but they have a regard for health. <br /><br /> "We have discovered happiness," -- say the Last Men, and they blink.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-83900518930743399672013-06-03T19:05:59.357-07:002013-06-03T19:05:59.357-07:00"I actually have to FORCE myself to play vide..."I actually have to FORCE myself to play video games. And if you take my laptop away from me I cannot just "sit and enjoy a cigar." It is probably only through booze I can force myself to relax".<br /><br />I completely relate to this. I've pretty much "made it" and done some crazy, crazy things.<br /><br />Yet, I'm constantly restless ...<br /><br />Ubermensch.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-76950222674214333162013-06-03T18:14:22.065-07:002013-06-03T18:14:22.065-07:00This is not a great article. I don't get the s...This is not a great article. I don't get the self deprecating tone. I think that this comes from a very shallow psychology and understanding of human nature. So you will achieve your goal but remain unhappy because the pursuit of the goal was your true goal? What is this? You have to look further than that. I also don't get the idea that it would be great to sit on the beach and eat bons bons. I know he said we would not be happy even if we could, but if this were a person's goal then of course you're not going to be happy. I don't know anyone who wants that. At best it would be nice to do this for maybe an hour or two at a time, after you have got your work done for the day. <br />Why be independent if your life is going to be so much tougher? I think you can have your cake and eat it. I think you can work hard, be independent, and get all the benefits other people get along with the extra benefits if you reach your goal. I also think if your goal is to one day do nothing and have an easy life then your are just reversing your hard work, de-evolving. If your hard work is so sufferable that you want a life of leisure then do something else. <br />This article is stupid. For some reason, you think it is great to suffer. It's the ultimate first-world toddler-think - complain about life even though you have a great life. Want to suffer or pretend you are suffering when the work you do every day maybe inconvenient at worst. Why not enjoy what you have, enjoy what you do, and look for ways to improve your life if you think it doesn't measure up to the masses in one way or another. It's not always good to be so independent where you are a complete outsider. johncoryellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08519055988070748037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-68615263662133678612013-06-03T16:23:40.858-07:002013-06-03T16:23:40.858-07:00It's always nice to come here for some thought...It's always nice to come here for some thought-provoking grist, especially where I find myself with irregularly-spaced batches of free time to fill. <br /> Another outlier on the curve of achieving the dream comes, IMHO, from setting realistic, scalar goals, career-wise. I'm just not someone who can enjoy the decline, as I prefer a good struggle- I enjoy resetting my bar on a regular basis in multiple places. I work for someone else, yet I enjoy a long leash and ample compensation while also appreciating not having to worry overmuch in the medium-term regarding security. In my field (merchant marines- the guys who move ships), there's always something to do and places to go, and if your personality jibes with the lifestyle, the relatively high opportunity costs aren't a liability but an enhancement. Christ, I don't know how other married guys could stomach going home to your wife every night. I like leaving her for 60% of the time, mostly so her company is fresh the other 40. Same thing with familial obligations- when you know your time is limited, you do more with it and consume novel experiences to compensate for the lost time. After my time off, going to sea, well, when you're in a command position, is no imposition. <br /><br /> At any rate, it's always worth remembering that it's possible to hybridize your lifestyle- you can be a wage slave with a leash that stretches around the world before coming tight... so long as you have the latitude and foresight and the personality type to make the most of it. Paul, Dammit!https://www.blogger.com/profile/02264872375942355609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-83759153311873927672013-06-03T16:05:43.576-07:002013-06-03T16:05:43.576-07:00Interesting post. It is very applicable to succes...Interesting post. It is very applicable to successful people in general.<br /><br />After I turned 45, I mentally unplugged, quit working out, etc. I figured, I've worked hard for this long, time to relax and enjoy it.<br /><br />Now at 52 I'm overweight and bored. I'm getting back into shape, and seeking new challenges.<br /><br />Life is a struggle until you die. At least, it should be. We need to have resistance to fight/push against. It's in our nature, otherwise, we turn into tree sloths. For some, that's ok, for successful people, it kills your drive and ambition. <br /><br />Keep fighting the good fight. Even if you lose, the struggle (and the mindset thereof) is the payoff.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-72949847341764938702013-06-03T15:37:10.589-07:002013-06-03T15:37:10.589-07:00This is why many celebrities end up as suicides or...This is why many celebrities end up as suicides or drink/drug themselves into history, because their goal has been met and there is no one to share it with other than parasites.<br />I suppose one could form some sort of group of "Interesting Gentlemen" and plan trips or have meet ups to compare notes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-38926854170257032732013-06-03T11:19:57.886-07:002013-06-03T11:19:57.886-07:00This is one of the best posts by the Captain (at l...This is one of the best posts by the Captain (at least, it struck a chord with me).<br /><br />At 35, I have achieved everything I ever dreamed off as a teen: I quit my job a decade ago, I created my own internet business, traveled to more countries than I can remember, reached better health than I had at 20 (thank you Paleo diet!), and I am dating 3 gorgeous women, 19-23 yrs old, all 3 looking like victoria secret's models. Yes, 3: hate me!<br /><br />What the hell do I do now? I just can't unplug - besides I love my business. <br /><br />Who to hang out with?<br /><br />It seems everyone is busy being a wage-slave (or a "husband-slave"). Regardless, as a libertarian, anti-feminist, pro-capitalist, self-made, retired, jet-setter, who sees Rome burning while the masses are sedated with TV and credit cards, I have absolutely nothing in common with them (not that I would want to anyway).<br /><br />So: what now? Where are the others? (the Matrix metaphor is used so often, but it couldn't be more accurate)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-20871457180738921182013-06-03T10:57:49.199-07:002013-06-03T10:57:49.199-07:00holy crackers, there are 2 of us?
I fought this f...holy crackers, there are 2 of us?<br /><br />I fought this from my tyke years. It only gets harder as society solidifies around you and more conformity is expected of you. Get used to being depressed, cynical and alone. I went to college after the military. Only talked to 2 other students in 3 years. Hate the "herd". I'm sure I would have fared better being a craftsman of some sort. Happier too, and more fulfilled. That said, "there is no such thing as good advice".Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-56639947146817725902013-06-03T10:56:20.407-07:002013-06-03T10:56:20.407-07:00I have a new definition of the day I finally make ...I have a new definition of the day I finally make it.<br /><br />The day I take my last breath here on Earth.<br /><br />Until that day comes there is always something I can better at.earlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-79527401406234107582013-06-03T10:34:51.148-07:002013-06-03T10:34:51.148-07:00Does he really have a 217 IQ? Does he really have a 217 IQ? Penrosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17606014178670534706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8358039.post-37611473869123990892013-06-03T09:28:12.535-07:002013-06-03T09:28:12.535-07:00This is a must bookmark post for me. It's exac...This is a must bookmark post for me. It's exactly how my personality works. I'm an individualistic fellow who doesn't fit in with the rest of "society." Hell, I went against the trend of having to attend college right away and had to deal with some backlash from certain people in my immediate family about it. <br /><br />On some days, it's hard not to get depressed about what's going on or realizing in hindsight about what an idiot I was when I was being lied to and mislead by literally many people that I knew. I don't even talk to anyone from my old high school anymore except one person now.<br /><br />Right now, since I have nothing else to do this summer until my college orientation next month, I'll try to watch as much good quality TV as I can for a couple of hours while keeping up the drawing studies. In fact, I've started Mad Men quite recently and am finishing up the sixth episode of the first season. It kind of took a little while but the show is really starting to grow on me. I think I might have most of the seasons done in about a week or two if I really get addicted like I was with Breaking Bad.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05166618601866526009noreply@blogger.com