T.G.I.F. Friday: Volume 107
Welcome to “Thank God I’m FI” Friday, Volume #107!
Here are some things I really like and that you might too.
Financial Independence/Work Life/Retirement Articles
Happiness Series Part 2: Five Big-Ass Spending Experiments (1500 Days) – “Can money buy happiness?“
Disengage (Aeon) – “Modern life subjects us to all-consuming demands. That’s why we should reflect on what it means to step away from it all”
Video
The last Beatles song was released yesterday. I’m not crying, you’re crying.
What I’m Grateful For
The sizable northern pike I caught last week while fishing with a buddy. It’s only the second pike I’ve ever landed and a relatively rare fish to get here in the mid-Atlantic.
Lyrically Speaking
Old notebooks
With lyrics and outlooks
On life and what it’s about
Piles of nothing
Add up to something
That I just can’t throw out
From “Highs And Lows” by Mindy Smith
I have big soft spot for a soothing female voice. Mindy Smith has such a voice. Smith exploded on the music scene in 2003 after her cover version of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” went viral. She released her first album in 2004 and went on to release 5 in total with a good deal of success. Unfortunately she’s been in hibernation since 2012 and I’m hoping she makes more music. She has one of those voices that makes anytime feel like a chill Sunday morning to me.
As for the lyrics above, the struggle against clutter is real. I’m probably more minimalist than most Americans, but damn I might need that thing one day.
Miscellaneous
Is exercise more effective than medication for depression and anxiety? – “A large new analysis of meta-studies finds that exercise is more beneficial for conditions such as anxiety and depression than standard psychotherapy or medications.“
Despite gloomy headlines, our planet is getting cleaner and healthier – “The media sells bad news, but scientific evidence shows that we are making progress toward a greener planet.“
The Illusion of ‘Following the Science’ in the War Over Trigger Warnings – “The rallying cry of “Follow the Science” has been primarily used to casually bludgeon broad and complex arguments; science rarely offers neat, polarized answers to such dilemmas.“
The article on Aeon took me to the link to the photography of Eric Pickersgill called “Removed”. I found that collection to be thought-provoking. We are aware of the drawbacks of everyone having their head in their smartphones, but there is something eerie about seeing scenes of people with them removed and starring at their palms. We have “friends”, or do we? Am I one or was I fake?
Susan! Yes, those pictures are amazing, revealing, and sad all at once. For those who didn’t read the Aeon article Susan is referring to this photography which removes the cell phone but keeps the (sad) poses of those using them. Thanks for stopping by Susan and hope you’re well!