Thursday, April 11, 2013
Hedge Fund Manager vs. UFC Fighter
The pictures is all you really have to look at. language warning.
Book Review of "The Return of the Great Depression," By Vox Day
Vox Day, aka Theodore Beale, has several books out, most of which by a perusal of his site are along sci fi and fantasy/fiction lines. However, perhaps his original claim to fame was a book I've been procrastinating reading "The Return of the Great Depression," available in both paperback and kindle.
Unlike the title would suggest the majority of the book is not, in fact, about the next Great Depression as much as it is a very good analysis and study of conventional and historical economic theories and how they are playing out during today's turbulent and uncommon economic times. This is my largest complaint about the book in that I was expecting a book on the next Great Depression and what this man's thoughts would be, but it isn't until the second to last chapter that you actually get to his own personal observations and theories.
That being said, the book was certainly not a let down, surprising me in other regards warranting the purchase AND READING (that's for you, Aunt Judy) of his book. First, the book is an outstanding, thorough, but succinct analysis and comparison of the various economic philosophies that are duking it out today. He compares and contrasts Austrian, Keynesian, the Chicago School and Marxism in ways that shows he's actually read vastly more books on economics and philosophy than I have and can use words like "praxeology" in a sentence. THis makes him "one of those guys" who while would be considered a Buzz Killington at a party, is the guy you'd probably defer to when it came to matters of economic history and technicality. Second, like reading other economists, you always pick up a trick or two you weren't aware of or observe mistakes you may have made (for example his explaining what the GDP deflator is NOT the same as the CPI may not help you pick up chicks at a bar, but will provide for some interesting adjustments to modern day RGDP). This has not only further advanced my understanding of economics, but plugged some minor holes in my own economic theories and philosophies I've procrastinated plugging. Third he writes very well and very dense, efficiently packing as much information into the fewest and optimal amount of words. The introduction alone is a perfect synopsis that would benefit everybody in terms of "what economics is." Finally, the man is a genius. I say this not in a flattering way but because he belongs to mensa and factually is a genius. This means his writing and the pace at which he covers and delivers material, concepts and theories, etc., is not slow and is sure to engage, if not challenge your mind (sometimes requiring multiple re-readings of certain paragraphs).
Unfortunately, this leads to the second largest drawback of the book, it will shoot over most non-economist's heads. Though intended for "economic actors, not economists" and purposely simplified in language, vocabulary, mathematical formulae and charting, it's obvious Beale has been in an environment where his mind is among equals. Even "dumbing it down" it's still a heavy read requiring your full mental attention and a constant referencing of the glossary.
Ultimately the book is a great read for two groups of people. Those those already in the profession and (more importantly) people who have an intellectual or hobby interest in economics, but are not in the profession. It is this second group that would benefit most, not just because of the exercise your brain will receive, but Beale does a great job breaking down the current and past economic philosophies, providing you the background and history as to how different schools have come about and how they are playing out in the real world today.
It is worth the price of paperback, but the $2 price on Kindle practically compels you to purchase it.
Unlike the title would suggest the majority of the book is not, in fact, about the next Great Depression as much as it is a very good analysis and study of conventional and historical economic theories and how they are playing out during today's turbulent and uncommon economic times. This is my largest complaint about the book in that I was expecting a book on the next Great Depression and what this man's thoughts would be, but it isn't until the second to last chapter that you actually get to his own personal observations and theories.
That being said, the book was certainly not a let down, surprising me in other regards warranting the purchase AND READING (that's for you, Aunt Judy) of his book. First, the book is an outstanding, thorough, but succinct analysis and comparison of the various economic philosophies that are duking it out today. He compares and contrasts Austrian, Keynesian, the Chicago School and Marxism in ways that shows he's actually read vastly more books on economics and philosophy than I have and can use words like "praxeology" in a sentence. THis makes him "one of those guys" who while would be considered a Buzz Killington at a party, is the guy you'd probably defer to when it came to matters of economic history and technicality. Second, like reading other economists, you always pick up a trick or two you weren't aware of or observe mistakes you may have made (for example his explaining what the GDP deflator is NOT the same as the CPI may not help you pick up chicks at a bar, but will provide for some interesting adjustments to modern day RGDP). This has not only further advanced my understanding of economics, but plugged some minor holes in my own economic theories and philosophies I've procrastinated plugging. Third he writes very well and very dense, efficiently packing as much information into the fewest and optimal amount of words. The introduction alone is a perfect synopsis that would benefit everybody in terms of "what economics is." Finally, the man is a genius. I say this not in a flattering way but because he belongs to mensa and factually is a genius. This means his writing and the pace at which he covers and delivers material, concepts and theories, etc., is not slow and is sure to engage, if not challenge your mind (sometimes requiring multiple re-readings of certain paragraphs).
Unfortunately, this leads to the second largest drawback of the book, it will shoot over most non-economist's heads. Though intended for "economic actors, not economists" and purposely simplified in language, vocabulary, mathematical formulae and charting, it's obvious Beale has been in an environment where his mind is among equals. Even "dumbing it down" it's still a heavy read requiring your full mental attention and a constant referencing of the glossary.
Ultimately the book is a great read for two groups of people. Those those already in the profession and (more importantly) people who have an intellectual or hobby interest in economics, but are not in the profession. It is this second group that would benefit most, not just because of the exercise your brain will receive, but Beale does a great job breaking down the current and past economic philosophies, providing you the background and history as to how different schools have come about and how they are playing out in the real world today.
It is worth the price of paperback, but the $2 price on Kindle practically compels you to purchase it.
Linkage of Manliness
IOTW gets elected...though he was unopposed. I will be entering politics shortly myself fully intending never to get elected, but we're going to stir things up a bit.
Work is more important than your children or family. Ignore this woman. She knows not of what she speaks.
I am not necessarily against suicide. It can be arguably the only option. However, usually it isn't. There's usually a ton of more and better stuff to do.
You don't have to worry about North Korea....unless you live in Hawaii.
It's because feminists love marxism even more than they do women.
It's for the chilllllldrennnnnnnn...
Some basic home safety tips from Ed. This is one of those things you can do while you wait for summer weather to get here.
Man the hamsters are running fast on this one.
Fact! Men like long hair. Fact! You don't convince them of this otherwise.
How miserable is a person who has absolutely nothing else going on in her life that she comes up with a concept of "racist hair?" Pretty f#cking miserable I'd have to say.
I mentioned this before about labor force participation rates. Perhaps the youth are enjoying the decline...that or there's no jobs out there for them.
Ask a Cuban about Cuba. Not a rapper thug and a harlot.
The 70's sucked. The culture, the music, the fashion, and the economy. But don't tell Paul Krugman that.
Why you absolutely must see a girl without her make up.
Marriage is "rent seeking hell." Which is again why you need to get ripped and get in shape.
And what "Linkage of Manliness" would be complete without a pretty dame plugging Enjoy the Decline?
Work is more important than your children or family. Ignore this woman. She knows not of what she speaks.
I am not necessarily against suicide. It can be arguably the only option. However, usually it isn't. There's usually a ton of more and better stuff to do.
You don't have to worry about North Korea....unless you live in Hawaii.
It's because feminists love marxism even more than they do women.
It's for the chilllllldrennnnnnnn...
Some basic home safety tips from Ed. This is one of those things you can do while you wait for summer weather to get here.
Man the hamsters are running fast on this one.
Fact! Men like long hair. Fact! You don't convince them of this otherwise.
How miserable is a person who has absolutely nothing else going on in her life that she comes up with a concept of "racist hair?" Pretty f#cking miserable I'd have to say.
I mentioned this before about labor force participation rates. Perhaps the youth are enjoying the decline...that or there's no jobs out there for them.
Ask a Cuban about Cuba. Not a rapper thug and a harlot.
The 70's sucked. The culture, the music, the fashion, and the economy. But don't tell Paul Krugman that.
Why you absolutely must see a girl without her make up.
Marriage is "rent seeking hell." Which is again why you need to get ripped and get in shape.
And what "Linkage of Manliness" would be complete without a pretty dame plugging Enjoy the Decline?
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
How to Legally Exact Your Toll of Revenge on the Left
The last chapter in my book "Enjoy the Decline" is titled "Revenge" and if there's a reason for you to buy the book, that chapter is it. The reason why is that any Real American, any real independent individual who loves freedom and liberty is in a rather helpless position. Since this (the United States and western civilization in general) is a democracy/republic we get a government forced on us by the majority, no matter how ignorant, no matter how stupid, and no matter how short-sighted. And unless you're willing to resort to violence, tyranny, criminal, and other anti-democratic actions there is nothing you can do but sit and watch the left destroy the greatest thing that has ever happened to humankind.
However, that is what the "Revenge" chapter in my book is about. How exactly does one person get their revenge on the people who destroyed their lives, their country and their futures and not land in jail? There are ways (ways you will have to read the book to find out), but one of them, after further contemplation, I realized was arguably the KEY way to get your revenge and deserves a more thorough flushing out.
Specifically, sex.
Before I go further let me state after thinking this through I am being deadly serious. This is not hyperbole, this is not rhetoric, this is not for shock value. This is what my logic, thought and contemplation (free of the restrictions of politically correct thought) has concluded. And if you follow me through you may not agree with what I'm saying, but you'll at least understand and see some reason in it.
First, ask yourself what is the most important thing in life. I've addressed this before and without a doubt it is other human beings. I use the analogy of having the most advanced XBox 360, huge TV, etc. etc. No matter how advanced, that video game is still finite. It is still limited. A human being, however, is not. It is dynamic, it is sentient. It is the most advanced, complex entity in the known universe and that is what makes another human more interesting and engaging than anything else.
Second, who are the most important humans in your life? Children of course if you have them. But without a spouse you (in theory) can't have them or at least have a decent and well-grounded family. Therefore it is your life partner, the love of your life that is the most important thing in anyone's life.
Third, what is the greatest enjoyment you receive from your significant other? Companionship, intellectual conversation, yes, these things are definitely very valuable, certainly mandatory requirements, but what sets apart the love of your life from just regular ole friends you have (who you also have compansionship and intellectual conversation with) is sex.
Fourth, what makes sex enjoyable? The answer is simple if you ignore political correctness. Physical attraction. You need to be physically attracted to your partner, just as your partner has to be physically attracted to you. And the more physically attractive each person is the better the sex is. And the better the sex is the better a VERY important, if not MOST important aspect of your biological life is.
And it is here where you will exact your toll of revenge on the left.
Understand the left, typically, though not always, are uglier than those of us on the right. This is not up for debate. All one has to do is play the game I do while driving:
"How Ugly is the Person With the Liberal Bumper Sticker?"
If you don't believe me try playing the game yourself. Any time you see a car with a leftist bumper sticker catch up to it and peer inside to see how "attractive" the occupant is.
You'll note two things:
1. They are usually pretty ugly, certainly homely.
2. They are never smiling.
The reason why leftists tend to be uglier is the same reason they are leftists - a deep-seeded fear and hatred of effort and competition. ie- they are lazy.
To be physically attractive, just like a career or anything else worth doing in life, takes effort. You need to work out, you need to run, you need to eat right, you need to dress right, and above all else, you need to have self-control and discipline. You also have to be selfless to a certain extent, considering the preferences and tastes of others in order to prove appealing and attractive to them. You may not like the maintenance required in having long hair, but you're not having long hair for you, you're having long hair for him. You may not like lifting heavy blocks of metal repetitively as your brain atrophies, but you're not doing it for you, you're doing it for her. In short you have to have a personal philosophy that is opposite of most leftists - hard work and altruism with your own resources.
Since these traits of effort, rigor, discipline, hard work, genuine selflessness and responsibility are antithetical to leftism, practitioners of leftism suffer the consequences. Lower incomes, poorer degrees, poorer employment prospects, lower standards of living, etc. However, just like every other aspect of their lives, they also suffer in the looks department, and consequently suffer a lower physical quality and caliber in their lovers. And since the value and importance of sex is so high, they also suffer in this very key aspect of their lives.
Now while it may seem sophomoric and childish to say,
"Nanny nanny boo boo! Your sex life sucks! Ours rules! We have a better life!"
and to suggest hotter people having better sex exacts a heavy toll of revenge on leftists, permit me some additional evidence that shows you, yes it really is that simple and YES, being hotter and having better sex REALLY IS a huge toll of revenge. Namely, the great lengths leftists go to deny reality.
If you look at the left, their entire effective (not conscious) philosophy is to do as little work as possible and live off of other people as much as possible. As a consequence to this laziness, they have to CONSTANTLY come up with new and innovative ways to rationalize taking other people's money and other people's success. I even argue that it is a leftist's primary job to rationalize the theft of others production for without them, they would die. Therefore you have the formations of "ists" and "victim classes" and the "rich doesn't pay their fair share" etc. etc. Whatever the rationalization, none are based in the real world for the simple fact they can't be. There is no rational, intellectually-honest or real-world-based argument for parasitism simply because parasitism is not viable. Ergo the left has to constantly rationalize away reality to legitimize their existence.
However, while we normally focus on the left's herculean efforts to rationalize the confiscation of others' wealth, we do not pay as much attention to the equally-impressive intellectual acrobatics they perform to rationalize their non-real world reality in other aspects of their lives. Specifically social, romantic and sexual.
All one has to do is look at the great and (literally) insane lengths feminism goes to destroy basic, simple facts about the sexes.
The answer is because they DO care about it. They are merely coming up with rationalizations and reasonings because they are too weak to accept reality. It's harder for them to psychologically accept and commit themselves to a life where they have to hit the treadmill (effort) and answer to others (selflessness) in society than one where they lie to themselves with malarkey like "fat acceptance" and other feminist claptrap excusing them to sit on their asses, work faux affirmative action jobs, commiserate with other equally physically revolting individuals, and never enjoy a great sex life.
In short, try as the left might to deny economic reality, social reality and sexual reality, they are living in a delusional world. And no matter how much rhetoric they spew, deep down inside they know they are living a lie (as evidenced by their emotional reaction to any criticism) and cannot deny their basic sexual nature and desires.
It is here, however, where you can extract your revenge.
While their fear of a life of toil, effort, rigor, work, competition, risk and achievement paralyzes them from enjoying life, you and every other conservative, libertarian, and Real American owe it to yourselves to ENJOY LIFE TO ITS MAXIMUM. Go out, try, fail, try again, fail again, try again, succeed, excel, dominate, enjoy, progress, and evolve. Become an interesting person with interesting hobbies and live a unique life they will never live because they're too busy conforming drinking organic coffee with their Apple laptop and skinny jeans. But beyond that, the single largest bit of revenge you can extract from the left is by simply playing on their basic carnal darwinistic sexual desires.
Stay in shape and have a hot wife/husband.
Look sharp in public to the point you turn people's heads.
Spank your girlfriend's tight little ass in public announcing to any leftists in view
"I'm going to hit that later tonight and you aren't and never will."
Rub it in their faces every day with achieving great things, the most piercing of which is having a physically attractive partner, the likes of which they never will enjoy.
That is how you exact your toll of revenge on the left.
If you found this post intellectually stimulating and not a waste of time, please consider buying something on Amazon. Commissions go to pay for my living expenses as there's no way in hell an employer will EVER touch me. Your business is appreciated.
However, that is what the "Revenge" chapter in my book is about. How exactly does one person get their revenge on the people who destroyed their lives, their country and their futures and not land in jail? There are ways (ways you will have to read the book to find out), but one of them, after further contemplation, I realized was arguably the KEY way to get your revenge and deserves a more thorough flushing out.
Specifically, sex.
Before I go further let me state after thinking this through I am being deadly serious. This is not hyperbole, this is not rhetoric, this is not for shock value. This is what my logic, thought and contemplation (free of the restrictions of politically correct thought) has concluded. And if you follow me through you may not agree with what I'm saying, but you'll at least understand and see some reason in it.
First, ask yourself what is the most important thing in life. I've addressed this before and without a doubt it is other human beings. I use the analogy of having the most advanced XBox 360, huge TV, etc. etc. No matter how advanced, that video game is still finite. It is still limited. A human being, however, is not. It is dynamic, it is sentient. It is the most advanced, complex entity in the known universe and that is what makes another human more interesting and engaging than anything else.
Second, who are the most important humans in your life? Children of course if you have them. But without a spouse you (in theory) can't have them or at least have a decent and well-grounded family. Therefore it is your life partner, the love of your life that is the most important thing in anyone's life.
Third, what is the greatest enjoyment you receive from your significant other? Companionship, intellectual conversation, yes, these things are definitely very valuable, certainly mandatory requirements, but what sets apart the love of your life from just regular ole friends you have (who you also have compansionship and intellectual conversation with) is sex.
Fourth, what makes sex enjoyable? The answer is simple if you ignore political correctness. Physical attraction. You need to be physically attracted to your partner, just as your partner has to be physically attracted to you. And the more physically attractive each person is the better the sex is. And the better the sex is the better a VERY important, if not MOST important aspect of your biological life is.
And it is here where you will exact your toll of revenge on the left.
Understand the left, typically, though not always, are uglier than those of us on the right. This is not up for debate. All one has to do is play the game I do while driving:
"How Ugly is the Person With the Liberal Bumper Sticker?"
If you don't believe me try playing the game yourself. Any time you see a car with a leftist bumper sticker catch up to it and peer inside to see how "attractive" the occupant is.
You'll note two things:
1. They are usually pretty ugly, certainly homely.
2. They are never smiling.
The reason why leftists tend to be uglier is the same reason they are leftists - a deep-seeded fear and hatred of effort and competition. ie- they are lazy.
To be physically attractive, just like a career or anything else worth doing in life, takes effort. You need to work out, you need to run, you need to eat right, you need to dress right, and above all else, you need to have self-control and discipline. You also have to be selfless to a certain extent, considering the preferences and tastes of others in order to prove appealing and attractive to them. You may not like the maintenance required in having long hair, but you're not having long hair for you, you're having long hair for him. You may not like lifting heavy blocks of metal repetitively as your brain atrophies, but you're not doing it for you, you're doing it for her. In short you have to have a personal philosophy that is opposite of most leftists - hard work and altruism with your own resources.
Since these traits of effort, rigor, discipline, hard work, genuine selflessness and responsibility are antithetical to leftism, practitioners of leftism suffer the consequences. Lower incomes, poorer degrees, poorer employment prospects, lower standards of living, etc. However, just like every other aspect of their lives, they also suffer in the looks department, and consequently suffer a lower physical quality and caliber in their lovers. And since the value and importance of sex is so high, they also suffer in this very key aspect of their lives.
Now while it may seem sophomoric and childish to say,
"Nanny nanny boo boo! Your sex life sucks! Ours rules! We have a better life!"
and to suggest hotter people having better sex exacts a heavy toll of revenge on leftists, permit me some additional evidence that shows you, yes it really is that simple and YES, being hotter and having better sex REALLY IS a huge toll of revenge. Namely, the great lengths leftists go to deny reality.
If you look at the left, their entire effective (not conscious) philosophy is to do as little work as possible and live off of other people as much as possible. As a consequence to this laziness, they have to CONSTANTLY come up with new and innovative ways to rationalize taking other people's money and other people's success. I even argue that it is a leftist's primary job to rationalize the theft of others production for without them, they would die. Therefore you have the formations of "ists" and "victim classes" and the "rich doesn't pay their fair share" etc. etc. Whatever the rationalization, none are based in the real world for the simple fact they can't be. There is no rational, intellectually-honest or real-world-based argument for parasitism simply because parasitism is not viable. Ergo the left has to constantly rationalize away reality to legitimize their existence.
However, while we normally focus on the left's herculean efforts to rationalize the confiscation of others' wealth, we do not pay as much attention to the equally-impressive intellectual acrobatics they perform to rationalize their non-real world reality in other aspects of their lives. Specifically social, romantic and sexual.
All one has to do is look at the great and (literally) insane lengths feminism goes to destroy basic, simple facts about the sexes.
- Men liking long legs, big boobs, long hair and tight asses (as they always have since the dawn of time and are genetically wired to) is misogynist, bigoted, and shallow.
- Gender, despite obvious physical proof, is socially determined, not physically.
- Women should NOT want to have children or stay at home. They should be men...just as long as it doesn't require math or STEM classes....and it's SEXISM that explains the wage gap, not a lack of female engineering majors.
- Women should not want to be beautiful for that is conforming to the patriarchy
- the fat acceptance movement?
The answer is because they DO care about it. They are merely coming up with rationalizations and reasonings because they are too weak to accept reality. It's harder for them to psychologically accept and commit themselves to a life where they have to hit the treadmill (effort) and answer to others (selflessness) in society than one where they lie to themselves with malarkey like "fat acceptance" and other feminist claptrap excusing them to sit on their asses, work faux affirmative action jobs, commiserate with other equally physically revolting individuals, and never enjoy a great sex life.
In short, try as the left might to deny economic reality, social reality and sexual reality, they are living in a delusional world. And no matter how much rhetoric they spew, deep down inside they know they are living a lie (as evidenced by their emotional reaction to any criticism) and cannot deny their basic sexual nature and desires.
It is here, however, where you can extract your revenge.
While their fear of a life of toil, effort, rigor, work, competition, risk and achievement paralyzes them from enjoying life, you and every other conservative, libertarian, and Real American owe it to yourselves to ENJOY LIFE TO ITS MAXIMUM. Go out, try, fail, try again, fail again, try again, succeed, excel, dominate, enjoy, progress, and evolve. Become an interesting person with interesting hobbies and live a unique life they will never live because they're too busy conforming drinking organic coffee with their Apple laptop and skinny jeans. But beyond that, the single largest bit of revenge you can extract from the left is by simply playing on their basic carnal darwinistic sexual desires.
Stay in shape and have a hot wife/husband.
Look sharp in public to the point you turn people's heads.
Spank your girlfriend's tight little ass in public announcing to any leftists in view
"I'm going to hit that later tonight and you aren't and never will."
Rub it in their faces every day with achieving great things, the most piercing of which is having a physically attractive partner, the likes of which they never will enjoy.
That is how you exact your toll of revenge on the left.
If you found this post intellectually stimulating and not a waste of time, please consider buying something on Amazon. Commissions go to pay for my living expenses as there's no way in hell an employer will EVER touch me. Your business is appreciated.
Tuesday, April 09, 2013
My Amazing Awesome Super Intelligent Friends
who just can't seem to find jobs with their worthless fucking pieces of crap liberal arts degrees...errr...I mean..."super awesome advanced degrees in awesomeness."
No Cafeteria Christians Allowed
This is a real Christian.
And even though I loathe religion and you all think I hate religious people. I don't. Just the 90% of them that abuse the religion to advance their own selfish aims, which means they aren't religious.
This concludes the Captain's monthly required ranting against religion.
And even though I loathe religion and you all think I hate religious people. I don't. Just the 90% of them that abuse the religion to advance their own selfish aims, which means they aren't religious.
This concludes the Captain's monthly required ranting against religion.
Ladies Night Linkage
Why, we love the Ladies of Cappy Cap, right? Well then why don't you show them a little link love and visit them.
We start off with a new reader who sent in a picture of her enjoying the decline.
I like the dog/rat/whatever it is.
And now the linkage love:
The Sexual Division of Labor - I'll say it again for the cheap seats - it is NOT coincidental that the majority of marriages was where one person stayed home and the other worked. It was a naturally forming sociological phenomenon and therefore there were very strong forces behind it and good reason for it. Tamper with it at your own (or society's) expense.
Children are not yours. They are the state's. You will obey. You will conform.
Why I'm a libertarian.
But math is tough. And I'm not good at math. And men are evil and I don't like gravity and I shouldn't have to drink water to survive.
Worthless women majoring in worthless subjects using academia and government to extract preferred treatment by society either via taxation or status and prestige. Again, the majority of problems are caused by liberal arts majors.
If you really want revenge on leftists and feminists, then keep yourself in shape for your woman and keep yourself in shape for your man. Because leftists, in general, will never be as physically atttractive as their conservative counterparts AND (no matter what feminists say) sex and sexual pleasure is one of the best experiences in life. So hit the gym, hit the treadmill and stop making excuses.
When you start acting as men, acting as equals, we will treat you as such. In the meantime, since you act like children, we will treat you like children.
You young idiots voted for this moron and now you will suffer the consequences.
Chewed bubble gum.
They want what they can't have and don't want what they can have. I'm glad my 20's are over.
You will visit the Life of Liz! I command you! Obey damn you! Obey!!!!
I remember trying to score my way into a girl's pants by helping her with her math. I was a freshman, she was a junior. It got me nowhere. With this hindsight of knowledge, I now instruct all young men and boys that the next time some girl wants "help with math" you tell her "hey, isn't the entire state, federal and local government paying billions of unneeded tutors, teachers, and academians to help you chicks catch up with us boys in mathematics? Go hit them up for help. I'm too busy playing Modern Warfare 3."
We don't need no STIIINKING western culture!
Some outstanding advice for daughters.
I am for coupon clipping. Until it affects your life so much you expend more in labor/time that rationalizes the cost savings. There is a psychological disease with those women. Perhaps something along the lines they can't produce anything of value and therefore go the other route and try to save as much money as possible, losing the larger picture that they waste $10 in resources saving a dollar in expense.
We start off with a new reader who sent in a picture of her enjoying the decline.
I like the dog/rat/whatever it is.
And now the linkage love:
The Sexual Division of Labor - I'll say it again for the cheap seats - it is NOT coincidental that the majority of marriages was where one person stayed home and the other worked. It was a naturally forming sociological phenomenon and therefore there were very strong forces behind it and good reason for it. Tamper with it at your own (or society's) expense.
Children are not yours. They are the state's. You will obey. You will conform.
Why I'm a libertarian.
But math is tough. And I'm not good at math. And men are evil and I don't like gravity and I shouldn't have to drink water to survive.
Worthless women majoring in worthless subjects using academia and government to extract preferred treatment by society either via taxation or status and prestige. Again, the majority of problems are caused by liberal arts majors.
If you really want revenge on leftists and feminists, then keep yourself in shape for your woman and keep yourself in shape for your man. Because leftists, in general, will never be as physically atttractive as their conservative counterparts AND (no matter what feminists say) sex and sexual pleasure is one of the best experiences in life. So hit the gym, hit the treadmill and stop making excuses.
When you start acting as men, acting as equals, we will treat you as such. In the meantime, since you act like children, we will treat you like children.
You young idiots voted for this moron and now you will suffer the consequences.
Chewed bubble gum.
They want what they can't have and don't want what they can have. I'm glad my 20's are over.
You will visit the Life of Liz! I command you! Obey damn you! Obey!!!!
I remember trying to score my way into a girl's pants by helping her with her math. I was a freshman, she was a junior. It got me nowhere. With this hindsight of knowledge, I now instruct all young men and boys that the next time some girl wants "help with math" you tell her "hey, isn't the entire state, federal and local government paying billions of unneeded tutors, teachers, and academians to help you chicks catch up with us boys in mathematics? Go hit them up for help. I'm too busy playing Modern Warfare 3."
We don't need no STIIINKING western culture!
Some outstanding advice for daughters.
I am for coupon clipping. Until it affects your life so much you expend more in labor/time that rationalizes the cost savings. There is a psychological disease with those women. Perhaps something along the lines they can't produce anything of value and therefore go the other route and try to save as much money as possible, losing the larger picture that they waste $10 in resources saving a dollar in expense.
Worse Than I Thought
I remember a year or two back somebody ridiculing me about pointing out our dropping labor force participation rate. He said it wasn't because of socialist policies deterring people from working, or because of a lack of economic growth promised by Barack Obama, but because old people were retiring. He even sounded pissed about it suggesting us fools didn't know what we were doing AND if I recall correctly, he claimed to be an economist.
I believed I had already looked it up to confirm what was happening with labor force participations rates between the young and old, but I had a nagging twinge in the back of my mind that I didn't. That it may have slipped my mind. And sure as worthless people majoring in the humanities, I was right! It did slip my mind! Here it is:
I would have remembered this chart because it not only proves the guy wrong, it is the OPPOSITE of what he claimed.
Not only are things so bad, young people are dropping out of the labor force, OLD PEOPLE WHO SHOULD NORMALLY BE RETIRED BY NOW ARE RETURNING TO THE LABOR FORCE!
Why?
Well, the politically correct answer is what Time, Newsweek and CNN will tell you-
Tilly and Herman are just so active nowadays and they're just so intelligent that they can't stay at home and enjoy a life of leisure, relaxation and retirement. Heavens no! They WANT to go back to the labor force. They don't really need the money. They're just doing it to keep their minds stimulated! How hip and cool they are!
The truthful answer is -
They didn't save up enough for retirement and HAVE TO go back to the labor force. They were very poor at financial planning and even with social security and medicare they still don't have enough to retire.
I'm just wondering how long a country can last where it's dying/near dead population is returning to work while the "children who are our future" are dropping out.
Oh well, enjoy the decline!
I believed I had already looked it up to confirm what was happening with labor force participations rates between the young and old, but I had a nagging twinge in the back of my mind that I didn't. That it may have slipped my mind. And sure as worthless people majoring in the humanities, I was right! It did slip my mind! Here it is:
I would have remembered this chart because it not only proves the guy wrong, it is the OPPOSITE of what he claimed.
Not only are things so bad, young people are dropping out of the labor force, OLD PEOPLE WHO SHOULD NORMALLY BE RETIRED BY NOW ARE RETURNING TO THE LABOR FORCE!
Why?
Well, the politically correct answer is what Time, Newsweek and CNN will tell you-
Tilly and Herman are just so active nowadays and they're just so intelligent that they can't stay at home and enjoy a life of leisure, relaxation and retirement. Heavens no! They WANT to go back to the labor force. They don't really need the money. They're just doing it to keep their minds stimulated! How hip and cool they are!
The truthful answer is -
They didn't save up enough for retirement and HAVE TO go back to the labor force. They were very poor at financial planning and even with social security and medicare they still don't have enough to retire.
I'm just wondering how long a country can last where it's dying/near dead population is returning to work while the "children who are our future" are dropping out.
Oh well, enjoy the decline!
Monday, April 08, 2013
Please Bite the Hand That Feeds You Academia
Ahhhh...it's a good day when leftist academian scum shoot themselves in the foot.
GLORIOUS HAT!
Young female comrade-ette is enjoying the decline! Why aren't you???
BUY GLORIOUS HAT NOW!!!
In Soviet America HAT WEARS YOU!
BUY GLORIOUS HAT NOW!!!
In Soviet America HAT WEARS YOU!
Why Gen X & Y Should Be Denied Social Security
My general (and intense) hatred and loathing of the baby boomer generation is no secret. It is also well-founded as it is the baby boomer generation that has been in control of the country's finances, politics, economics and corporate leadership. It is not debatable who's been at the helm of the country and its institutions for the past 30 years and, therefore, whose fault the current condition of the country is. And since their generation is near the end of its life cycle, the baby boomer generation legacy is more or less set in stone. They WILL go down in the history books as the generation that destroyed the United States.
Naturally, I don't believe the baby boomers deserve one red cent of social security, medicare, medicaid or any of the other plethora of various government programs they voted themselves in. They are the only generation (at least to my knowledge) in the history of the world that not only squandered the economic production of their parents (via inheritance), but also all of the economic production of their own lives AND were so voracious in their squandering, they needed to mortgage the economic production of their children.
Of course, when a baby boomer runs into me and they're shocked I find their generational theft disagreeable, they always, ALWAYS, ALWAYS say,
"But I paid into the system!"
To which I quickly and factually respond,
"And you also voted into the morons who pissed all your contributions away on all those social programs you so love. You got the benefit of 30 years of Keynesian deficit spending stimulus. YOU ALREADY GOT YOUR MONEY BACK IN SPADES!"
But the argument then stops because usually the baby boomer I'm talking to has never looked at a federal budget in his entire adult life.
However, before we all jump on the baby boomer generation (and don't worry, history will be INCREDIBLY harsh on them) we have to look at our own generational selves in the mirror. Specifically, whether we deserve all these programs or not.
Of course, the question is moot and academic. I don't think there will be any money to be paid out in the first place, but let's just say there was. Do our generations really deserve all the unicorns, puppies, hope, and change the government says we're entitled to? I say no and here is the reason why.
Gen X and Gen Y are doing the EXACT same thing as their baby boomer predecessors did. They are spending more money than they make. They expect other people to take care of themselves. They are entitled WAY more than the baby boomers ever were. And (most importantly) THEY VOTED IN DROVES FOR BARACK OBAMA and thus THE MORTGAGING OF THEIR OWN FUTURES.
Much as I loathe the baby boomers, the successive generations, mine included, are worse. Despite BLATANT and OBVIOUS financial problems our generations faced, we lacked the adult maturity (let alone simple 2nd grade mathematics) to turn this country around. And while the baby boomers have been voting more and more conservative, it is the younger generations through galactic stupidity, ignorance and selfishness that merely nailed a couple more nails in the US-coffin and thus our own futures.
Like I said, I doubt there will even be any money for Gen Y, Gen X and any future generations to make good on all those socialist entitlement goodies we promised ourselves. But before we start blaming previous generation's for our current problems, we should start blaming ourselves for making our future problems worse.
Oh, and when you're 55 and about to retire, please don't tell future generations,
"But I paid into the system!"
This post sponsored by "Enjoy the Decline!"
Naturally, I don't believe the baby boomers deserve one red cent of social security, medicare, medicaid or any of the other plethora of various government programs they voted themselves in. They are the only generation (at least to my knowledge) in the history of the world that not only squandered the economic production of their parents (via inheritance), but also all of the economic production of their own lives AND were so voracious in their squandering, they needed to mortgage the economic production of their children.
Of course, when a baby boomer runs into me and they're shocked I find their generational theft disagreeable, they always, ALWAYS, ALWAYS say,
"But I paid into the system!"
To which I quickly and factually respond,
"And you also voted into the morons who pissed all your contributions away on all those social programs you so love. You got the benefit of 30 years of Keynesian deficit spending stimulus. YOU ALREADY GOT YOUR MONEY BACK IN SPADES!"
But the argument then stops because usually the baby boomer I'm talking to has never looked at a federal budget in his entire adult life.
However, before we all jump on the baby boomer generation (and don't worry, history will be INCREDIBLY harsh on them) we have to look at our own generational selves in the mirror. Specifically, whether we deserve all these programs or not.
Of course, the question is moot and academic. I don't think there will be any money to be paid out in the first place, but let's just say there was. Do our generations really deserve all the unicorns, puppies, hope, and change the government says we're entitled to? I say no and here is the reason why.
Gen X and Gen Y are doing the EXACT same thing as their baby boomer predecessors did. They are spending more money than they make. They expect other people to take care of themselves. They are entitled WAY more than the baby boomers ever were. And (most importantly) THEY VOTED IN DROVES FOR BARACK OBAMA and thus THE MORTGAGING OF THEIR OWN FUTURES.
Much as I loathe the baby boomers, the successive generations, mine included, are worse. Despite BLATANT and OBVIOUS financial problems our generations faced, we lacked the adult maturity (let alone simple 2nd grade mathematics) to turn this country around. And while the baby boomers have been voting more and more conservative, it is the younger generations through galactic stupidity, ignorance and selfishness that merely nailed a couple more nails in the US-coffin and thus our own futures.
Like I said, I doubt there will even be any money for Gen Y, Gen X and any future generations to make good on all those socialist entitlement goodies we promised ourselves. But before we start blaming previous generation's for our current problems, we should start blaming ourselves for making our future problems worse.
Oh, and when you're 55 and about to retire, please don't tell future generations,
"But I paid into the system!"
This post sponsored by "Enjoy the Decline!"
Sunday, April 07, 2013
Inducing Shock In The Matriarchy
I did a seminar recently at the U of MN Duluth. It was my "Why Gen Y is Completely, Totally and Hopelessly Screwed" seminar. And while admittedly the seminar is not the politest or most adroit speech, when it came to the "What were you told you SHOULD like in the opposite sex" portion of the lecture, an interesting thing happened. I asked the young men in the audience what they found attractive in a woman. Not what they were told to like, but what they in fact did like.
Not one of them answered.
OH, they KNEW the answers, their sheepish faces and smirks gave that away, but they couldn't answer for they feared what the repercussions would be.
Observing this phenomeon right in front of me, I took the opportunity to point out something so sad, but so very true. I said
"My god, look at how brainwashed they have you guys. You can't even speak the truth."
I then bellowed out the truth,
"Ladies, we like big boobs, long legs, and tight asses!"
If I read the room right it was almost as if they were saying, "Wow! He said it!"
Now, instigation aside, the reason I bring this up is because it highlights a very important aspect of this whole battle against feminism. And that is just how successful the left and feminists have been at outlawing independent thought and replacing it with their own politically approved thought. So intimidated are men and women they cannot speak bluntly and truthfully about the opposite sex.
Of course I view the truth as an absolute. Something that cannot be ignored. Something that is arguably the epitome of morality to adhere to. But if I were to say,
"The law of gravity states that mass will attract other mass"
there is no repercussions for speaking this truth.
But if I point out a truth that runs contrary to the approved speech code or the goals of leftism and feminism, no matter how true:
"Men like big boobs, long legs, long hair and tight asses!"
then all manner of social, political and romantic hell will be unleashed.
Of course it should never have gotten to this point. The point you cannot candidly and bluntly speak truths. But it did and the way we got here was via Overton's Window, the political theory where you slowly move the political debate further and further in one direction, but so slowly nobody notices it. 40 years ago you could scoff at the idea of lowering standards for women in protective services, now that's sexist. 40 years ago you could point out women are poorer at math (duly noted that the bell distribution curve is flatter) and logic. You are once again a sexist. And 40 years ago you could make jokes about women drivers. Now, even though they get in more accidents per miles driven, you are once again, a sexist.
However, while the original 70's feminists may have known full well what they were doing, and today may feign umbrage dare you speak a truth about the sexes, the successive generations of feminists and young women have not had that vantage point. Quite the opposite, actually. They've been brought up in a completely female-centric and myopic environment, and have grown accustomed to having society bend over backwards to avoid speaking the uncomfortable truths about the sexes. So much so that when a truth like
"Men like big boobs, long legs, long hair, and tight asses"
is uttered they are not just insulted, but enraged.
"HOW DARE somebody say that!?"
"Yeah, but it's true!"
"STILL!!!! HOW DARE HE SAY THAT!"
It's this violent (or at least strong) reaction in combination with social, political, romantic AND CAREER costs/threats that is what keeps most men (and women) from speaking truthfully about feminism. But there is a problem with this strategy. Overton's Window can only be moved so far in one direction before it is so divergent from reality and truth that society starts to crack and there are real and severe social, economic and financial costs. And we are at that threshold now. And not only are we bearing the costs (unemployment, government debt, dysfunctional children, etc.) those costs outweigh the costs for pointing out the emperor has no clothes, especially for young men.
Understand if you take the average young man today and look at his prospects in terms of
Social
Political
Romantic
and Career (otherwise "Economic")
in this society, what precisely does he have?
Socially speaking he already has friends and this one, though important, aspect of his life is inoculated against the forces of leftism and feminism.
Politically, nothing. All political emphasis is on women and women's problems. Government spending disproportiontely goes to women and women are still considered a victim class.
Romantically, the average western male has a lousy selection in women as women were brought up to be men, not women. And any woman who dares to say, "Yes, I'd like to have children and a family some day, and I like men and I want to be beautiful" is immediately shamed by feminists and the left.
Economically, your average young man has no hope and no chance at a successful financial life. THe economy is stagnant, unemployment is disproportionately high for young males and the economy, forever more being progressively dictated by the public sector, is becoming hostile to traditional male-employing industries.
In short, your average young man has nothing, meaning society is no longer able to provide for and support one half of the society. And with nothing left to lose, there are no costs, for speaking the truth. With no hope, no future, and no money, all the shaming, threats, and NARCing of feminism rings hallow as they no longer have any teeth. There is nothing you can take from these men.
It is here that the movement back to reality will not be as slow and meditated as the feminists' original nudging of Overton's Window. It will be lightning speed compared to the past 4 decades. Men (and women) will shed the annoying, if not, impossible-to-adhere-to political correctness about the sexes and will realize life is too short to keep up the charade. Men will realize their sanity and love lives are more important than keep eggshell-fragile feminists' feelings in tact. Men, who never had anything to begin with, will wonder why their fathers and grandfathers adhere to "obsolete feminist morals" and instead will see no cost or consequence in being men, and will instead lay down the law in their relationships and be the man. Women too will be sick of being shamed about "wanting to have a husband and children" and will find nothing wrong with wanting a family, let alone wearing dresses and wanting to be beautiful.
The problem for feminism will be the abruptness of it all. Already you can see this in feminist responses to Manosphere posts, not to mention the shock and awe that their Patron Saint Adria Richards was actually fired. They cannot believe (since they are inured in the brainwashing that they are the victim and the "patriarchy" is oppressing them) men, let alone ANY man would say such things or do such things. Didn't they get the memo? Didn't they get the brainwashing in school? We were told that was very very BAD and MEAN to say those things in the 3rd grade no matter how truthful it may be. The shock on their internet-metaphorical faces is priceless.
The problem for them is that reality is reality. Truth is truth. And when there's no cost or consequence for speaking the truth, they're going to find out just how flawed and erroneous their much-coveted religion of feminism really is. And no amount of angry, screeching or accusations of misogyny is going to stop it.
If you liked this post then you can show your appreciation by buying something on Amazon. You were going to buy something anyway, might as well do it here and today. Commission goes to support the Captain and this here blog.
Not one of them answered.
OH, they KNEW the answers, their sheepish faces and smirks gave that away, but they couldn't answer for they feared what the repercussions would be.
Observing this phenomeon right in front of me, I took the opportunity to point out something so sad, but so very true. I said
"My god, look at how brainwashed they have you guys. You can't even speak the truth."
I then bellowed out the truth,
"Ladies, we like big boobs, long legs, and tight asses!"
If I read the room right it was almost as if they were saying, "Wow! He said it!"
Now, instigation aside, the reason I bring this up is because it highlights a very important aspect of this whole battle against feminism. And that is just how successful the left and feminists have been at outlawing independent thought and replacing it with their own politically approved thought. So intimidated are men and women they cannot speak bluntly and truthfully about the opposite sex.
Of course I view the truth as an absolute. Something that cannot be ignored. Something that is arguably the epitome of morality to adhere to. But if I were to say,
"The law of gravity states that mass will attract other mass"
there is no repercussions for speaking this truth.
But if I point out a truth that runs contrary to the approved speech code or the goals of leftism and feminism, no matter how true:
"Men like big boobs, long legs, long hair and tight asses!"
then all manner of social, political and romantic hell will be unleashed.
Of course it should never have gotten to this point. The point you cannot candidly and bluntly speak truths. But it did and the way we got here was via Overton's Window, the political theory where you slowly move the political debate further and further in one direction, but so slowly nobody notices it. 40 years ago you could scoff at the idea of lowering standards for women in protective services, now that's sexist. 40 years ago you could point out women are poorer at math (duly noted that the bell distribution curve is flatter) and logic. You are once again a sexist. And 40 years ago you could make jokes about women drivers. Now, even though they get in more accidents per miles driven, you are once again, a sexist.
However, while the original 70's feminists may have known full well what they were doing, and today may feign umbrage dare you speak a truth about the sexes, the successive generations of feminists and young women have not had that vantage point. Quite the opposite, actually. They've been brought up in a completely female-centric and myopic environment, and have grown accustomed to having society bend over backwards to avoid speaking the uncomfortable truths about the sexes. So much so that when a truth like
"Men like big boobs, long legs, long hair, and tight asses"
is uttered they are not just insulted, but enraged.
"HOW DARE somebody say that!?"
"Yeah, but it's true!"
"STILL!!!! HOW DARE HE SAY THAT!"
It's this violent (or at least strong) reaction in combination with social, political, romantic AND CAREER costs/threats that is what keeps most men (and women) from speaking truthfully about feminism. But there is a problem with this strategy. Overton's Window can only be moved so far in one direction before it is so divergent from reality and truth that society starts to crack and there are real and severe social, economic and financial costs. And we are at that threshold now. And not only are we bearing the costs (unemployment, government debt, dysfunctional children, etc.) those costs outweigh the costs for pointing out the emperor has no clothes, especially for young men.
Understand if you take the average young man today and look at his prospects in terms of
Social
Political
Romantic
and Career (otherwise "Economic")
in this society, what precisely does he have?
Socially speaking he already has friends and this one, though important, aspect of his life is inoculated against the forces of leftism and feminism.
Politically, nothing. All political emphasis is on women and women's problems. Government spending disproportiontely goes to women and women are still considered a victim class.
Romantically, the average western male has a lousy selection in women as women were brought up to be men, not women. And any woman who dares to say, "Yes, I'd like to have children and a family some day, and I like men and I want to be beautiful" is immediately shamed by feminists and the left.
Economically, your average young man has no hope and no chance at a successful financial life. THe economy is stagnant, unemployment is disproportionately high for young males and the economy, forever more being progressively dictated by the public sector, is becoming hostile to traditional male-employing industries.
In short, your average young man has nothing, meaning society is no longer able to provide for and support one half of the society. And with nothing left to lose, there are no costs, for speaking the truth. With no hope, no future, and no money, all the shaming, threats, and NARCing of feminism rings hallow as they no longer have any teeth. There is nothing you can take from these men.
It is here that the movement back to reality will not be as slow and meditated as the feminists' original nudging of Overton's Window. It will be lightning speed compared to the past 4 decades. Men (and women) will shed the annoying, if not, impossible-to-adhere-to political correctness about the sexes and will realize life is too short to keep up the charade. Men will realize their sanity and love lives are more important than keep eggshell-fragile feminists' feelings in tact. Men, who never had anything to begin with, will wonder why their fathers and grandfathers adhere to "obsolete feminist morals" and instead will see no cost or consequence in being men, and will instead lay down the law in their relationships and be the man. Women too will be sick of being shamed about "wanting to have a husband and children" and will find nothing wrong with wanting a family, let alone wearing dresses and wanting to be beautiful.
The problem for feminism will be the abruptness of it all. Already you can see this in feminist responses to Manosphere posts, not to mention the shock and awe that their Patron Saint Adria Richards was actually fired. They cannot believe (since they are inured in the brainwashing that they are the victim and the "patriarchy" is oppressing them) men, let alone ANY man would say such things or do such things. Didn't they get the memo? Didn't they get the brainwashing in school? We were told that was very very BAD and MEAN to say those things in the 3rd grade no matter how truthful it may be. The shock on their internet-metaphorical faces is priceless.
The problem for them is that reality is reality. Truth is truth. And when there's no cost or consequence for speaking the truth, they're going to find out just how flawed and erroneous their much-coveted religion of feminism really is. And no amount of angry, screeching or accusations of misogyny is going to stop it.
If you liked this post then you can show your appreciation by buying something on Amazon. You were going to buy something anyway, might as well do it here and today. Commission goes to support the Captain and this here blog.
The Origins of the SWPL People
"They used to say establishment, but as the ascendant taste maker group,
they are the establishment so they say 'privilege'. By not being an
organic setting, they are in effect buying into a subculture that is
already packaged and marketed to them. They may think they are creative
and unique, but they are just following the built in norms for their distinct group."
I would also remind people about how I said SWPL's have economic applications, specifically, they and their behaviors are VERY useful in predicting bubbles, like sayyyyyy....the 401k????
Oh, and you might be asking,
"Hey Captain! Using SWPL's to predict economic bubbles is pretty witty and clever. What other witty and clever observations have you had and where can I read about such great and insightful epiphanies!?"
Well happy reader, you just have to buy your copy of "Top Shelf!"
Available in BOTH paperback and kindle.
I would also remind people about how I said SWPL's have economic applications, specifically, they and their behaviors are VERY useful in predicting bubbles, like sayyyyyy....the 401k????
Oh, and you might be asking,
"Hey Captain! Using SWPL's to predict economic bubbles is pretty witty and clever. What other witty and clever observations have you had and where can I read about such great and insightful epiphanies!?"
Well happy reader, you just have to buy your copy of "Top Shelf!"
Available in BOTH paperback and kindle.
Three Reasons Theater Majors Are Important!
Please, oh Merciful Patron Saint's Name of Frick,
Invoke the power of my Cappy Cap disciples
So that they may log into their Facebook accounts
And rip this idiot and very much well-deserved new one
So that young innocent 17 year old children
Do not falleth for the greatest lie told to their generation
That if they "follow their heart the money will follow."
And that someday
All taxpayers and hard working adults
Who work real jobs and not government or non-profit subsidized fake ones
May wake up one day,
Audit their tax bill
And vote in politicians who forever cut off taxpayer funding
For something that is nothing more than a hobby for children who never want to grow up or contribute to society
Amen
Invoke the power of my Cappy Cap disciples
So that they may log into their Facebook accounts
And rip this idiot and very much well-deserved new one
So that young innocent 17 year old children
Do not falleth for the greatest lie told to their generation
That if they "follow their heart the money will follow."
And that someday
All taxpayers and hard working adults
Who work real jobs and not government or non-profit subsidized fake ones
May wake up one day,
Audit their tax bill
And vote in politicians who forever cut off taxpayer funding
For something that is nothing more than a hobby for children who never want to grow up or contribute to society
Amen
Saturday, April 06, 2013
When We Ran Out of Good Men/Bad Boys
Tell me this isn't the chart of the year:
If your mind is already interpreting it and neurons are firing with stimulation, then just read the article.
And yes I use my real name. And yes, I am a ballroom dancing, tornado chasing, fossil hunting, motorcycle riding, mountain hiking, Rumpleminze drinking economist.
If your mind is already interpreting it and neurons are firing with stimulation, then just read the article.
And yes I use my real name. And yes, I am a ballroom dancing, tornado chasing, fossil hunting, motorcycle riding, mountain hiking, Rumpleminze drinking economist.
Friday, April 05, 2013
Why You Never Tell Others Your Problems
Stick with me on this one because it isn't going to seem "right" at first, but if you focus on the angle I'm approaching this topic at, you'll see the point I'm trying to make.
Everybody has problems. And everybody has friends. And part of having friends or loved ones is to share your problems. You need a sounding board, you need to vent, and doing such things are healthy and expected. However, when you unload and vent, it is usually problems that are not dire, nor insurmountable. You got a cold, you boss is being a jerk, the weather sucks, whatever, they all have an end and a solution, and are thus surmountable.
But then there are problems that are terminal. There is no solution. There is only one outcome. There is no end. And if there is one, the cost is not only great, but nothing can be done to stop it. Things like terminal sickness, bankruptcy, divorce, etc. And it is here you need to be very selfless and think this one through.
Say the economy has gone south and you are imminently approaching bankruptcy. There is nothing you can do about it. It is going to happen. It is outside of your control.
Do you tell your friends about it? Do you complain to your loved ones about it?
The answer is no, and let me explain why.
Just as you are powerless to stop this horrible thing from happening, so to are your friends and loved ones. And in complaining to them or telling them about your unsolvable problem, you put them at unease because they are powerless and helpless to do anything about it. It is human nature to want to help, but if help is just not possible you unconsciously make your friends feel uncomfortable and powerless.
For example, have you ever had a friend whose loved one got cancer, or your friend got cancer him/herself? And upon hearing the news you don't know what to say because, well, what can you say? "I'm sorry?"
That's about all you can do. You are completely helpless and thus have nothing to say.
Worse still, you can exacerbate this situation, with your "terminal" problem. Because of the severity of these terminal problems, you don't just mention it once to your friends and then it goes away. It's a terminal problem, it will be with you until it terminates. And because of it's severity, it is going to be the single largest topic weighing heavily on your mind. You will want to tell somebody about it, in perhaps a subconscious attempt to find a non-existent solution, but all you will do is drive them further away because you make it so uncomfortable.
Now, am I saying, you NEVER tell anybody you got cancer or that you filed for bankruptcy or your spouse left you? No, but I am saying once you make the declaration, there is nothing to gain by revisiting your unsolvable problem with friends and loved ones.
However, if this doesn't make sense, consider something on the flip side or opposite of this. Say you achieved something REALLY great. Something phenomenal. Something nobody else has done. Naturally this great achievement means a lot to you and even defines you. And if it truly is great, you will want to share it with people, not out of bragging, but out of wanting to share something of genuine interest. But here too you face a somewhat similar problem. If your achievement is so great, most people won't even believe you did it, or at least be able to comprehend. For example by the time I was a senior in college I had:
1. Paid for everything working full time going to school full time
2. Was on track to graduate 6 months early.
3. 3.96 GPA
4. 3 Internships under my belt
5. Held various performance records at my job
I thought I was a shoe-in for a job after graduating, but in hindsight, I believe what I achieved was so great, nobody believed it and my resume went in the dump. Even my friends didn't seem impressed in my early 20's and so when meeting new people I would never mention this great achievement. I would just say, "I went to college."
In short the lesson is to consider the position your friends and loved ones are in. They are already your friends, they are already your loved ones, but unless it is within their power to do anything, constantly bringing up major problems you have (no matter how much they are affecting your life) only pushes people further away. Love and appreciate your friends and loved ones, be selfless enough not to hound them with your unsolvable problems.
Everybody has problems. And everybody has friends. And part of having friends or loved ones is to share your problems. You need a sounding board, you need to vent, and doing such things are healthy and expected. However, when you unload and vent, it is usually problems that are not dire, nor insurmountable. You got a cold, you boss is being a jerk, the weather sucks, whatever, they all have an end and a solution, and are thus surmountable.
But then there are problems that are terminal. There is no solution. There is only one outcome. There is no end. And if there is one, the cost is not only great, but nothing can be done to stop it. Things like terminal sickness, bankruptcy, divorce, etc. And it is here you need to be very selfless and think this one through.
Say the economy has gone south and you are imminently approaching bankruptcy. There is nothing you can do about it. It is going to happen. It is outside of your control.
Do you tell your friends about it? Do you complain to your loved ones about it?
The answer is no, and let me explain why.
Just as you are powerless to stop this horrible thing from happening, so to are your friends and loved ones. And in complaining to them or telling them about your unsolvable problem, you put them at unease because they are powerless and helpless to do anything about it. It is human nature to want to help, but if help is just not possible you unconsciously make your friends feel uncomfortable and powerless.
For example, have you ever had a friend whose loved one got cancer, or your friend got cancer him/herself? And upon hearing the news you don't know what to say because, well, what can you say? "I'm sorry?"
That's about all you can do. You are completely helpless and thus have nothing to say.
Worse still, you can exacerbate this situation, with your "terminal" problem. Because of the severity of these terminal problems, you don't just mention it once to your friends and then it goes away. It's a terminal problem, it will be with you until it terminates. And because of it's severity, it is going to be the single largest topic weighing heavily on your mind. You will want to tell somebody about it, in perhaps a subconscious attempt to find a non-existent solution, but all you will do is drive them further away because you make it so uncomfortable.
Now, am I saying, you NEVER tell anybody you got cancer or that you filed for bankruptcy or your spouse left you? No, but I am saying once you make the declaration, there is nothing to gain by revisiting your unsolvable problem with friends and loved ones.
However, if this doesn't make sense, consider something on the flip side or opposite of this. Say you achieved something REALLY great. Something phenomenal. Something nobody else has done. Naturally this great achievement means a lot to you and even defines you. And if it truly is great, you will want to share it with people, not out of bragging, but out of wanting to share something of genuine interest. But here too you face a somewhat similar problem. If your achievement is so great, most people won't even believe you did it, or at least be able to comprehend. For example by the time I was a senior in college I had:
1. Paid for everything working full time going to school full time
2. Was on track to graduate 6 months early.
3. 3.96 GPA
4. 3 Internships under my belt
5. Held various performance records at my job
I thought I was a shoe-in for a job after graduating, but in hindsight, I believe what I achieved was so great, nobody believed it and my resume went in the dump. Even my friends didn't seem impressed in my early 20's and so when meeting new people I would never mention this great achievement. I would just say, "I went to college."
In short the lesson is to consider the position your friends and loved ones are in. They are already your friends, they are already your loved ones, but unless it is within their power to do anything, constantly bringing up major problems you have (no matter how much they are affecting your life) only pushes people further away. Love and appreciate your friends and loved ones, be selfless enough not to hound them with your unsolvable problems.
The Captain on The Kerry Lutz Show!
Here's the interview if you're looking for something to download and listen to while running or doing your weekend driving.
Thursday, April 04, 2013
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