T.G.I.F. Friday: Volume 171
Welcome to “Thank God I’m FI” Friday, Volume #171
Here are some things I really like and that you might too!
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Financial Independence/Work Life/Retirement Articles & Content
What Is the Average American Net Worth by Age? (US News) “See how your net worth stacks up against the average American in your age bracket.” Dave’s Comment: Paying attention only to the median numbers in the article, I’m actually surprised how high they are
What if you had a million dollars to your name in the U.S.? (Yodest) “State-Level Data Reveals How Far $1 Million Really Lasts in the U.S., From Comfortable Living to Barely Enough”
Video
Sometimes you just don’t want strangers on your front lawn. Watch this pissed-off sea lion chase a surfer out of the ocean and up the beach..
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What I’m Grateful For
Reconnecting with a friend from my federal job who I lost contact with. When I got my early retirement last year I knew he also wanted it too but wasn’t old enough to get the offer. I didn’t want to rub my good fortune in with my new retirement because anyone who spent time with me right after that couldn’t help but notice the massive smile on my face 24×7. So I laid low for a while and we lost contact a bit. But we got together again and I’m glad to hear he might have a chance at an early exit himself this year.
Lyrically Speaking
On now and tell me why there’s a void
It’s all my fault, yes I’m to blame
Ain’t got no money, ain’t got no fame
And that’s why, I feel like giving in
From “Ballad Of The Band” by Felt
You’ve likely never heard of the band Felt but it’s fair to say they were one one of the most influential indie bands in the UK in the 1980’s. Back then what we now call “indie” was more commonly called ‘underground’ or ‘college radio band’ in the US. Felt formed in 1979 and were active through the entire 80’s. Though not nearly as successful or known as the Smiths, they shunned the synthesizer-mania of the 80’s and stayed a guitar band like the Smiths, with jangly Rickenbackers adoring many of their songs. Felt were led by Lawrence Hayward who kept their ethos as anti-rock star, mysterious, and vulnerable. Modern bands like Belle & Sebastian, Camera Obscura, or even Death Cab For Cutie surely took massive influence from Felt.
As for the lyrics above, I’m now an artist and I ain’t got much money and definitely no fame from art. But I also ain’t giving in, because it doesn’t matter if I make money at my artistic pursuits – at all. Of course I want people to like what I create, it feels great every time someone buys one of my designs or abstract landscapes. And though I’ve yet to make a sale of my meager 2-song EP yet it felt especially great to get some nice compliments on my songs. I sometimes hear artists say “I don’t care about selling my art at all, I do it only for myself”. I have to believe they’re stretching the truth, they may not care about sales but I’m sure they’d rather have compliments on their art than the opposite.
Miscellaneous
Obesity leaves a lasting memory in immune cells – “White blood cells see their DNA tagged with obesity, and can lead to ongoing risk of related illness long after weight loss.”
AI is frying our brains — here’s what leaders need to do about it – “The promise of AI was that it would save us all time by automating our clerical tasks, like email, personal admin, and running programs in the background. In reality, researchers are showing the opposite is happening: We’re burning out.“
Neanderthal babies grew twice as fast as today’s toddlers – “Our closest extinct relatives may have developed a very different growth trajectory from us.“
Hi Dave. I think I like the second track better, both not bad (says the guy with no musical skill but reasonably eclectic taste!). The avatar says guitar band which is a bit of a clash with the laid back electro sound? Cheers, Andrew.
Thanks very much! Yes you make a good point about my avatar, honestly I didn’t put too much thought into it and just wanted to get the music out quickly so I chose an old picture of myself performing with my band at a bar and distorted it. There is guitar technically on both tracks in the background but I have more songs ready to come out and some are completely synthesizer, so I should think about changing that. But thanks very much for the compliments, I appreciate it!
On the topic of AI from an economics and business model case I have been reading regularly all of the content from Ed Zitron. Check out his blog and I hope it proves to be engaging reading for you Dave, https://www.wheresyoured.at
Chris, I have heard Zitron as a guest 3 or 4 times on Cal Newports podcast so i’m very familiar with him. In all of this AI craziness I’m trying to balance out things and listen to both the AI utopia people and the contrarians to try to get what’s really going on. Newport and Zitron balance out the main narratives very nicely. Thanks!
Felt – the tune you linked, gave me kind of a Dire Straits with a sprinkle of Bob Dylan vibe. Nice feel.
It is great to reconnect with old work friends. There are some work relationships that really were more than a common employer. Those are some that I miss the most. Particularly those from international locations that I may not cross paths with again.
Since felt came out in the early eighties they no doubt had influences like those. And yes, I too miss some international contacts that I used to see from time to time that I will also likely never see it again. It’s all part of the cycle of life, one door closing others opening. Thanks for stopping by Paul!