|
thedeadhaji
39489 Posts
You know, it's strange, but right around the time I started working on what later became the Apple I board, this idea popped into my mind about two guys who die on the same day. One guy is really successful, and he's spending all his time running companies, managing them, making sure they are profitable, and making sales goals all the time. And the other guy, all he does is lounge around, doesn't have much money, really likes to tell jokes and follow gadgets and technology and other things he finds interesting in the world, and he just spends his life laughing.
In my head, the guy who'd rather laugh than control things is going to be the one who has the happier life. That's just my opinion. I figure happiness is the most important thing in life, just how much you laugh. The guy whose head kind of floats, he's so happy. That's who I am, who I wan tto be and have always wanted to be.
-- Steve Wozniak in "iWoz"
So much of our world is driven by money; by power; by trophies of metal and paper. Many of even the brightest and strongest of our peers seem blinded by the gleaming glamour of these tokens of accomplishment, unable to shake themselves away from the grip of greed. At times it even appears that the more capable a person is, the more these trophies enter her reach, and the more inescapable the pursuit becomes.
In such a world, it takes immense courage to defy the standard barometers of society. As creatures, we are evolutionarily predisposed to one upping the Joneses. Our chemical feedback loops grind against our capacity for reason, making sure that any deviation from this race is temporary. Even when we both instinctively and rationally know that this competitive, over-optimizing, and overachieving behavior runs counter to our overall happiness, we find it immensely difficult to "forfeight" the match.
In fact the most potent recipe is a person with great ability but without a corresponding strength of purpose and passion. With the way we promote competition and adherence to a standard curriculum for the best of our youth today, it is small wonder that our postsecondary academic pursuits and subsequent professional "aspirations" become dominated by the influences of our particular institution of attendance (how many of us actually considered the dominant industries that recruit at our college of choice when applying?). If a student attends Stanford, chances are she will study engineering and enter the tech sector. If a student attends Princeton, odds are that she will study economics and enter the finance industry. If we are accustomed to following our immediate surroundings' norms for academic and professional choices and priorities, then our long-term motives will naturally be defined by those of our peers as well.
It is only those with immense confidence in their desires, objectives, and self-worth, that can rebuff society's edicts for "what (supposedly) matters most". I have immense respect and admiration for those whose lives are an embodiment of their passions and interests -- those who radiate a unique aura of conviction and purpose with every word they speak and every step (both literally and figuratively) they take. They are, simply, rare.
But to those rare souls with the inner strength and conviction to defy the world's dogma: you are an inspiration.
Crosspost: http://www.hkmurakami.com/blog/
  
|
I am bit puzzled by this blog. You start with a quote about happiness where Wozniak contraposes pleasure with.. I guess achievement or personal success and says (because he doesn't argue, he just says it) that the former is better, but then you seem to abandon talk about happiness and instead you start discussing not getting stuck up on out-doing others (i.e. comparing yourself with others) and not following standard pre-laid out plans, but to rather just follow your passion instead and to break society's idea of "what matters most". I guess I see the point, but the second guy from Wozniak's quote stands a bit in a contrast to your eulogy on passion. A guy who "likes to tell jokes", "follow[s] gadgets and technology" and "just spends his life laughing" is not really an "embodiment of their passions and interests" who radiates purpose and so on.
|
According to this,
About 70 percent of our students graduate in a major different from the one they indicated on their admission application. We think this is exactly the right approach. We expect that students will explore their intellectual interests, and we want them to follow their passions, wherever they may lead them.
so I'm not exactly sure your point about farm schools makes sense with Princeton as an example, and although I can see why you'd admire Wozniak, as I certainly do, I don't really see your point in regards to ignoring wealth and following passion. Wozniak, amongst the other select "Silicon Valley" pioneers, ran into a perfect storm; the world was ready and waiting for something revolutionary to come about, and Wozniak's passion in computing fit the bill. What about the passionate whose passion does not inspire a cultural revolution? What about the passionate who are unable to pursue their dreams because, unlike Wozniak, they did not and do not have the means to ignore more basic needs? Money and popular acceptance make "inner strength and conviction" oh so much easier to act on.
|
I agree with all of the OP's sentiments. However, I think myself and most people also have a deep desire for the 'perfect' family, loving spouse, successful kids. In order to get this, one has to run the rat race, gaining paper and metal trophies.
|
I also see some inconsistency between the qoute and the blog. From these two, I relate myself much more to the qoute. I really wouldn't say that I radiate inner strength or whatever, but I do, as a matter of fact, live a very happy life.
How do I do that? The first and main reason is obviously that 10 years ago I got incredibly lucky have found a girl, who later became my wife and shares, for a large part, my view on the world and how our life should be. That is one thing that really has to be said first, because that has greatly contributed to my freedom - not having to act stupidly in trying to "attract" someone frees a guy a lot and it would be hypocritical to desrcibe my life without saying that. Also an important observation is that neither do I or does my wife want to have children and not having a responsibility for anyone clears one's hands a lot too.
The main concept that I have developed in my life is a complete lack of goals related to career, wealth or acheivements. The only thing I wish is to enjoy myself and for me and my wife to be happy. A focal point in pursuit of this is the realisation that we don't really need that much money to achieve that. Actually, I find it hard to comprehend, how much money other people seem to need, while apparently "generating" much less happiness than we do. What do you need a big house for? Or an expensive car? (That is one point that completely eludes me, when my car that I bought for $1000 can reliably transport me 6000 km around Europe in one week, what makes other people by cars for 20 times the price?) But still, there are so many people around me that seem smart and everything, yet they have somehow created these absolutely irrational mindblocks about "needing" some absolutely useless stuff for their lives.
So I work nominally 20 hours a week (in reality, I come and go as I wish, I only to show a result or two once in a while) as a very slow (already in 5th year) PhD student in physics (and I have taken a firm resolution that I am never going to accept a fulltime job unless the job itself is so excting that it is something I would like to to the whole day anyway) , live in a school dormitory (quite an unusal sight at my age of 30) and spend most of the time doing whatever I want at the moment. And I am the happiest I have ever been in my life.
|
On January 23 2013 04:09 opisska wrote:
(That is one point that completely eludes me, when my car that I bought for $1000 can reliably transport me 6000 km around Europe in one week, what makes other people by cars for 20 times the price?)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fisherian_runaway
|
There are plenty of people with the conviction and courage to go against the world's "dogma". Many of these people don't have the ability to translate passion into a concrete reality. Their convictions may be strong and everlasting, but their ability and intelligence is just average to below average. Raw ability + intelligence + conviction/courage is rare. Conviction + courage, not so much.
|
You are completely right. Damnit, I can see this so well in my dad. Wealthy, yet I've met people who haven't even got a percentage of his wealth being much happier. Hopefully I can stray away from this path.
It is only those with immense confidence in their desires, objectives, and self-worth, that can rebuff society's edicts for "what (supposedly) matters most". I have immense respect and admiration for those whose lives are an embodiment of their passions and interests -- those who radiate a unique aura of conviction and purpose with every word they speak and every step (both literally and figuratively) they take. They are, simply, rare.
I'd like to become such a person. But what are my passions? I don't know.
Btw: All the people I met that fit these criteria were either scientists doing research, or artists.
|
I just watched an interesting documentary called "happy" which explored what makes people happy in life. They said (and I was surprised by this) that age, wealth, social status ultimately only make up 10% of our actual happiness. Over 40% is determined by choices we willingly make in more fluid areas of our life. Career/salary/age are all things we don't have as much direct control over and at the end of the day don't factor into what really makes us happy long term.
|
On January 23 2013 08:53 LuckyFool wrote:
Career/salary/age are all things we don't have as much direct control over and at the end of the day don't factor into what really makes us happy long term.
I thought your career and salary were based on how hard you worked and how much you innovated? And then you use the money to buy products that make your life better? this is a very dangerous idea luckyfool
|
PBS sometimes runs commercial-free documentaries about just the kind of people that inspired this blog post. Their "Independent Lens" series has focused on the likes of Kevin Clash, Elmo's puppetteer, and Wayne White, famous for his work on Pee-wee's Playhouse and also his popular style of "words in landscapes" paintings.
![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/mF8FZg0.jpg) Wayne White next to a sculpture.
I was particularly moved by the special on Wayne White. PBS, being the awesome station it is, hosts most of their broadcast media for free online. Here's a link to the episode.
Wayne White
|
Thanks for the blog (so quick)! The discussion is also quite interesting, always interesting to see a counterpoint to a blog that rings true and what have you. I do see where you guys are all coming from.
|
I see what you are saying, and i think it rings true. But at the same time only if you assume the person who is lounging, living a poorer but happier life because he is acting on his own interests, rather than specifically setting themselves up to just make a bunch of money and falling into social pressure, has the money to do so.
Another way to put it is, if someone is poor, working a job they hate because they are not getting anything else, and spends their time lounging, spending what little money they have.... well, i am sure some people on this forum have had a job, full time, where 5 days a week they wake up and are not happy about what their day holds. I also feel it is like that for many people.
If someone is working a job they enjoy, doesn't have to be love, but is perfectly tolerable, makes enough to get by, and lounges and does all that stuff... then i agree. But once you reach the extremes, which i feel this quote and blog reached the extreme for the business men and rich hard workers who are unhappy. The polar opposite is just as unhappy, but they are uncomfortable at the same time.
I feel like for the poor but happier thing to ring true, it needs to be in a middle ground. Rather than looking at the high, rich, unhappy, versus the happy poor isn't true for many in the lounging poor position.
On a personal note, my goal right now is to be in a place, a job, or what have you, where i make good money so i can be happy and lounge. I am not there yet, but i dont want to be the extreme rich side either.
It all makes sense, but there needs to be pretense on how poor poor actually is.
Hope that all made sense, i am slightly brain dead at the moment. :D
|
On January 23 2013 09:48 sam!zdat wrote:Show nested quote +On January 23 2013 08:53 LuckyFool wrote:
Career/salary/age are all things we don't have as much direct control over and at the end of the day don't factor into what really makes us happy long term. I thought your career and salary were based on how hard you worked and how much you innovated? And then you use the money to buy products that make your life better? this is a very dangerous idea luckyfool
Not the way I see it at all.
Buying products only really buys temporary happiness, at the end of the day the things that should truly make us happy in life go far beyond simple possession of material goods. Of course it depends on the individual but most of this type of thinking was based off a general study. You may buy temporary happiness, sometimes it may last for a year, or years even, but is it truly lasting and fulfilling on a deeper level? A new car is only new for so long, and then you may grow restless. This is pretty normal in fact and people dismiss it. But should we spend our lives fluctuating in a state of temporary happiness? Constantly looking to fill a void that seems to never end? Or should we be working towards achieving a more rewarding and full life, aiming to truly be happy in what we do, not only with what we own but how we act.
Of course you do have control over what career path you end up going down, and you can control where you work in general, you can quit or change jobs, but the majority of people if they could would choose to not work at all, why? Because it allows you to then choose to do what YOU want which is what the study said really drives our happiness. Why do you think really rich people tend to become miserable? It's because they sacrifice so much of their life for money, or their career, working super long hours becoming slaves to a daily routine that they come to dread. They end up losing their own real freedom in life, building a prison without even realizing it for a hope or dream that won't even buy them lasting true fulfillment in life.
|
I think he was making a statement about capitalism and hyperconsumerism dominating American culture as we know it today.
|
Oh course the best way is to be rich AND happy. That's basically what Wozniak did.
Also if you feel passionate about what you do, that is happiness too. Steve Jobs wasn't really in it for the money.
|
On January 23 2013 13:38 Aerisky wrote:
I think he was making a statement about capitalism and hyperconsumerism dominating American culture as we know it today.
yeah maybe,
I think my real point is working strictly for money thinking it will automatically lead to happiness is very dangerous.
|
haha sorry lucky fool that was totally sarcastic
You're absolutely right, the Good Life has nothing to do with material wealth. Tune in, turn on, drop out 
|
It's impossible to detect sarcasm on the internet sometimes. lol. D:
I'm still happy I was able to get all philosophical in my response.
|
Haha yeah it was a good response man. I'm totally convinced.
|
|
|
|
|
|
EPT
