Quote:
Originally Posted by freebeard
I don't know.... I wouldn't mind seeing 1956 again. And I'd know to keep my head down ten years later.
I also sought out the bottom, where it only comes at you from one direction. But I progressed from sewing sacks of mill run in a seed mill, to floating in an Herman Miller Aeron chair with a headset and helping people victimized by Bill Gates's operating system.
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My use of absolutes was an imitation of Scott Adam's persuasive technique. I haven't decided if that's a useful strategy or not, but when Scott says "nobody/everybody" we know he's being hyperbolic and using it for effect. Probably doesn't translate in written form and only appropriate for verbal communication.
I also didn't mean to imply retaining hindsight in my imaginary transportation back to a prior epoch. I romanticize about listening to oldies (pop music) at a burger joint in the 50s. It would be an amazing experience, but if it were my day in, day out experience, I'd end up preferring living in this modern era. Nothing prevents me from living more simply in a modern era either.
Comfort is the enemy of maximizing potential. I've probably squandered more potential than most, especially with regards to attending to the most important things first. I'd rather satisfy my interests than attend to important matters. Sometimes my interests and important matters intersect, but usually they don't. The real magic is being interested in important matters and converting it into something valuable both personally and to others.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JSH
Europeans drive small cars because gas is expensive. They aren't shorter than Americans yet somehow they manage to fit families in much smaller cars than what we drive in the USA. (Just like their construction workers, plumbers, and electricians manage to build things without everyone driving a F-150)
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Certainly fuel is more expensive in Europe and a big factor in vehicle purchasing decisions. My understanding is that Europeans are more likely to shop daily for groceries though, and therefore don't tend to stock up for a week or a month with big Costco runs. A big run usually requires a larger vehicle. There's no way my TSX would handle the brick of TP and other bulk goods from a Costco run.
Shops tend to be located more locally from my understanding too. I weekly shop for groceries 25 minutes away, for example. Nothing is within walking distance, but I do choose to travel further for the larger selection and savings (low cost price leader).