T.G.I.F. Friday: Volume 67
Welcome to “Thank God I’m FI” Friday, Volume #67!
Here are some things I really like and that you might too.
Financial Independence/Retirement Articles
Die with zero – Does it make sense? (Tawcan) – “As I compiled my ‘time-bucket’ list, the more I began to ask myself… why wait?“
A Different Zero-Sum Game (Playtirement) – “The more simply we live, the more simple life is.“
Video
In my last T.G.I.F. Friday I highlighted Martijin Doolard and a few commenters chimed in about his cool “cabin build” videos. When I went back to check them out again the effing Youtube algorithm hit me with more. This one is really great, yes it’s over 28 minutes but there’s no words or story so you can skip through. It’s just building. As I learn more DIY in semi-retirement part of me really wants to do this, but I know I don’t have the skills yet.
Who’s Inspired Me
Dean Karnazes.
You’ve probably heard of Karnazes, if you’re a runner you definitely have. He rose to fame with his bestselling book “Ultramarathon Man: Confessions Of An All-Night Runner” (<- affiliate link) in 2006. He ran 50 marathons, in 50 states, in 50 days to raise awareness of childhood obesity and to inspire everyone to move. After all, Karnazes was just a regular guy at the age of 30 who never ran. Then he turned his life around literally overnight by running 30 miles away from a meaningless job and life of partying and toward a life of purpose.
Karnazes is probably the most famous celebrity in the world of running, and I’ve followed his career and endless exploits over time. But I heard him on the Billy Yang Podcast recently and he inspired me all over again. After all this time he hasn’t lost the stoke. He loves the struggle, and seems to have the most incredibly balanced life considering his crazy occupation and fame.
What I’m Grateful For
That I’ve (mostly) learned how to take an entire day off from working out once in a while without having dreadful feelings of guilt and laziness. I’ve mostly learned.
Lyrically Speaking
What has happened is that in the last 20 years,
America has changed from a producer to a consumer
And all consumers know that when the producer names the tune,
The consumer has got to dance
That’s the way it is
From “B Movie” by Gil Scott-Heron
Without Gil Scott-Heron there’d be no rap and hip-hop. He achieved initial fame with “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised” which was released in 1970. For that to come out in 1970, let’s just say that was punk as fuck. Scott-Heron made a career of poems and songs with a stinging social commentary that had revolutionary overtones but dripped of trauma and raw street cred. His stylings spanned from blues, jazz, soul, funk, and just plain spoken word. His 1971 release Pieces Of A Man, along with Carole King’s legendary album Tapestry released the same year, define the sound of that year to me.
As for the lyrics above from “B Movie”, that song was released in 1981 and you can hear the politics of the time right up front. But the lines above are far more true now than they were in 1981. Politics aside, those verses ring true about consumers be they nations or individuals. So be a careful consumer.
Miscellaneous
Why The Past 10 Years Of American Life Have Been Uniquely Stupid – “It’s not just a phase” Dave’s Note: Haidt is brilliant, and this is a magnificent opus that’s worth the time.
Nutritional epidemiology: abolition vs defending the status quo – “A recent review argues for reform in the field of nutritional epidemiology — and recommends ways to improve it” Dave’s note: – I lean toward abolition given the current state and the incalculable harm that’s been done. As a former obese guy who’s increasingly making health and nutrition my life’s passion, the state of nutritional epidemiology – and just as important the irresponsible ways the media cover it – are almost criminal.
Wind surpassed nuclear power in the US for the first time on March 29—and then did it again – “On March 29, wind became the second largest source of daily electricity in the US, surpassing coal and nuclear for the first time on record.“
Hi Dave – Always enjoy these posts!
That cabin build is mesmerizing… here’s the secret: watch things like that in incognito so it doesn’t mess with the algorithm!
(To YouTube for some reason one build video = oh you must be a builder, here’s a thousand more)
Yeah I use incognito mode sometimes but often forget, and that’s when they get you, haha. Sometimes it’s okay though as it exposes great stuff. You just have to avoid rabbit-holing it and losing half a day 🙂
as far as die with zero one thing that grinds me a little is a person saying their favorite holding period for an asset is forever. are you telling me you humped it to accumulate millions just for the vanity of saying you have millions? it’s not for me to say what anyone else ought to do but i thought the concept was to accumulate to eventually spend and enjoy the financial freedom.
they play that song “the revolution will not be televised” on my streaming station wwoz.org from new orleans all the time. it also reminds me of “the monkey speaks his mind” by dave bartholemew. if you haven’t heard it it’s like early rock’n’roll written and activism written in 1957.
The “hold forever” folks sometimes wish to give to their children which in that case I see as a good thing. But should be with the intention of their children not holding I guess to get ahead. Thanks for the Bartholemew recco, will check it out!