I think one part of the problem is that the worth of everything we do, even who we are as people, is weighed more and more, solely in terms of money. I have no desire to engage in a screed about the supposed 'evils of capitalism', but I do believe something has gotten drastically out of balance.
An economist pointed out that if you’re the best opera singer in the world, you can charge tens of thousands of dollars for every performance: you’re going to be rich, and you’re going to be famous. But if you’re the 10th or 20th best opera singer – in the FRIGGING WORLD – you’re going to have to constantly scramble if you hope to make even a living wage.
The economist went on to explain how these seemingly ridiculous disparities are a natural, inevitable part of this socio-economic system. Natural or not however, if we don’t find a way to rein it in, I think we’re headed off a cliff.
I'm with you. It seems always to be that great wealth disparity destabilizes a society. I dislike the term 'capitalism', because it sounds like a religion, Buddhism, Catholicism, etc. Or a belief system. It definitely can turn into that.
I prefer to talk about Free Enterprise. Market forces are a good thing until they're not. We see now in housing, for example, that the motto is 'whatever the market will bear'. But that turns to all out profiteering if nobody is competing for buyers and renters by lowering prices.
As you mentioned, everything is evaluated by monetary worth these days. I have a ton of friends who think Taylor Swift being a billionaire is cause for celebration. And now that she's endorsed Harris, she's a super-hero. She's a f**king singer! She hasn't cured cancer. She's entertained girls. Fine. She should make a good living. But for a girl to save up $350 for the next Tay Tay tour, means that she can't spend money elsewhere. Maybe at a local business.
Poor people, like girls, have limited resources. Programming them to believe that they need to spend a hundred bucks on sneakers four times a year is predatory. It's not 'free enterprise' if it makes people less free. IMHO
This is a really wholesome article, the message is very counter-cultural too. The idea that a person could find satisfaction in their circumstances is not promoted in the current era. We are told to keep seeking more.
I've experienced being a big fish in a small pond and then becoming a really small fish in a big pond. It is a humbling experience in identifying where your pride lies.
I'm now a slightly bigger fish in the same pond but this pond has gotten a little smaller also. This is another thing to consider. Your internal factors can change but definitely external factors very much outside your control can change that pond experience.
"Your internal factors can change but definitely external factors very much outside your control can change that pond experience." True for sure. Which is a good reason not to identify too much with those outside factors. Easier said than done, right?
Dave, I think this may be your best article I’ve read. I have not read them all, as I’ve commented before, I’m more of a listener.
I recently left a job I had for 16 years. Longest job I’ve ever held. Previous record was 5 years. I was overcompensated and had zero appreciation for the leadership. I could have stayed another four years, tolerating leadership incompetence, doing the same thing until I retired. I could have competed for a promotion, which would include sacrificing a truly awesome work schedule. Instead, I decided to return to what I really loved. It cost me 15% in annual income. But nearly $30K per year in retirement funding. As well as the pleasure of the company of most my 30 coworkers. But the joy of doing what you love to do for a living is so gratifying, it is tough to imagine doing anything else.
Two decades ago, I gave up on the idea of learning to lead. Having been a supervisor a few times, a branch manager a couple of times, I ultimately realized that the frustrations involved in that endeavor just wasn’t worth the irritation of dealing with the typical employee’s lack of ownership, initiative and accountability. Running your own painting business, you had to experience some of that.
Upon reflection, my performance as a leader is so comparable to “The Office” TV show’s Michael Scott character, I can’t hardly watch an episode. I am much happier (and competent) as a worker, a small fish in a big pond. As much as I enjoy swimming with the school, I’m quite content to swim the solitary path I do today.
You may have explained this elsewhere, but I don’t recall why you don’t simply read these articles on YouTube. I just checked and your 8 month old video on Dems needing Trump has 45K views and 5.1K likes. You state in this article that you “used to have a YT channel.” I’d bet that if you did read these on YT, and promoted your Substack as your preferred venue, you may garner more than your anticipated 100 or so readers.
By the way, I’m happy to hear you are finding peace with your current endeavors.
What do you mean by 'reading' these things on YouTube? You probably mean making videos like I used to. That is a more complicated process than I've felt up for of late. I live in such a tiny space, that I can't leave things set up like almost all YouTubers do. And, as I say in this piece, having a larger audience didn't really FEEL like anything. And, let's face it, my message is more subtle than most of what's on YT.
It's just been important for me to write an awful lot. In a year, I've written enough for two sizable books. It's just taking me that much thinking and writing to figure out a way of saying things that will communicate the ideas I'm into now. If I had a spot where I could leave cameras and lights up, to lessen the friction and ease the process, I'm sure that I'd still be doing videos. But sometimes changing things up is necessary to personal growth.
I'm sure that you have friends who tell you that you blew it by downsizing your income like you did, but you went with your instincts. Same with me.
I do appreciate your nudging, though. If you've got something worthwhile to contribute, it's no sin to increase your influence, right? 45k views is a hell of a lot more influence than the 500 views I average here.
Yeah, that is what I meant. Didn’t realize it was a hassle. Maybe consider a more convenient process?
I pretty much use YT as a podcast platform, now. Was using Stitcher or Apple, but every once in a while, references would be made to something visual. I’d check and sure enough- there was usually a video on YT.
My daily listens start off with China Update and Peter Zeihan. Peter shoots his videos with his phone. At arms length, I think.
Tony w/CU uses a lot of stock footage, especially drone videos that relate to the people/places he is discussing.
I think I recall you saying the revenue dropped off the videos. Several conservative content creators have moved to Rumble or Licals after having vids demonetized by YT. They appreciate the higher compensation and wider Overton window. They still use YT - as a mechanism to get more eyes on their alternate platforms.
Surprisingly, no friends have given me grief over my choice. Some are skeptical about my level of satisfaction doing what they have no interest in doing- a lot of driving. But all are happy that I’m enjoying the gig.
And ya - don’t let me drag ya back into something you are happy to have in the rear view mirror. The request is self-serving!
I'm wondering if there's a possible avenue for a return without needing the camera. I have seen some channels which are purely narration (eg. Economics explained). They use stock footage of people going about their lives and some video relevant to the topic.
Perhaps you could narrate a condensed version of what you write here for YT. Then you could direct people here for the longer read and a more robust discussion about the topic. You could also plug your upcoming concerts with a little video snippet so people remember what Dave looks like.
Obviously this still has the issue of a much larger audience but like Dave Minke has pointed out some people are much more auditory and could still benefit from a less partisan voice on their YT.
Great insights Dave. Thank you. I've been having fun with this book called the secret by Rhonda Byrne and the dynamic laws of prosperity by Catherine ponder., and some Deepak Chopra books. The miracles in my life are and have happened since the Pandemic. So far so good. From a place of fear and panic because of the car accident 2 days before the shutdown, I had no work possibilities. But the meditation is I believe the portal that allows me to be still in the moment. As Deepak calls it learning from the wisdom of uncertainty or insecurity. Namaste. 🙏😊
I absolute love this topic! I discovered a book called The Status Game by Will Storr. He has given numerous podcast interviews you can look up. His book changed the way I look at my entire life and really improved my understanding of so many things. Your insights are right on the bullseye. There are many ways we seek "status". Many are isolated to a "virtual group" and others are the way we present ourself to the world at large. Wearing a t-shirt of our favourite band is a specific example of how we are seeking status within a select virtual group. Driving a fancy car or having a fancy vacation and posting on Facebook are others. It happens within political groups as well. Seeking to be even more pious happens across the political spectrum the same as it does within religion. 20 foot tall flags on the back of a truck, and flying rainbow flags are all signals to their groups.
The way it helped me is now I can identify how im being coerced in my own mind to try and impress and be accepted by others and it's quite freeing to not feel jealous or envious or isolated. I find myself having little interest in impressing people because I have come to realize it's my brain just seeking a silly imaginary status point score. It's unbelievably liberating. I now kind of feel bad for people spending all their waking hours at a job they hate just so they can make a few extra dollars for a new car/designer bag/bigger house/larger biceps/fancier couch/name brand shoes etc. Not having to be a slave to the never ending cycle of consumerism or social media likes makes me realise how many people have truly unhealthy addiction to seeking status. Be well
Such a great comment! Yeah, man ... you're onto it. The 50 year-old guys sending all their time getting jacked is crazy. Are they expecting a fist-fight? Or to be judged? There's this whole modern male template, as cultivated in the Rogansphere, over the last 6 or 8 years. Where all of the guys have to get up and throw weights around, and take a cold shower and then go home and start a business. :0) It's all sort of desperate in some way.
As far as fame goes, all I ever strive for is playing the perfect note.. sometimes, I am successful!!! But I digress… I discovered a while back that I have been mind controlled since birth.. we have all been mind controlled since birth and even generations of control. Through governments, religion and media, my thoughts were not my own. Stepping off that treadmill is both exciting and frightening. Exciting to discover who I really am, and frightening to discover some real truth. Things have to remain simple to move on and handle the overwhelming. To play that perfect note, basically requires love. To handle the truth about good and evil, also requires love. Not easy, but required. I see a grand awakening among the masses about the controlling media, governments and religion. The only people I have trouble really talking to are the ones that are not aware of their controlled minds. Because, they mostly try to promote fear. The fear they are constantly learning about. So, as a free thinking human being, I have to constantly protect myself from falling into that separation trap. To keep things simple, I listen for the love. If things comes at me with fear, I will not accept it as truth, and go on my merry way.
I learned this lesson from a book called, “Love is Letting Go of Fear.” It is a challenge to walk that tightrope of love. We have evolved to react to threats and see them before we are injured. A wonderful independence results from a love based perspective.
This is the big problem, Gary. I have a piece on this issue, that I haven't yet published. Working title: Our Greatest Obstacle. The premise being that all of us have been indoctrinated. We see that clearly when we look at others. It's obvious to us that they've been brainwashed. But very few of us seem able to admit that we too have been programmed.
If we could just manage to see this as a part of human group behavior - this programming and being programmed - we could see it in ourselves without being ashamed about it. Maybe then, we could get outside of these partisan and religious boxes, and combine our talents toward a better world for all. Our job is that of liberators. Hopefully we'll find the language to express this understanding in a way that won't immediately trigger defenses.
It's liable to be a long hard job. Thanks for your insights.
I think one part of the problem is that the worth of everything we do, even who we are as people, is weighed more and more, solely in terms of money. I have no desire to engage in a screed about the supposed 'evils of capitalism', but I do believe something has gotten drastically out of balance.
An economist pointed out that if you’re the best opera singer in the world, you can charge tens of thousands of dollars for every performance: you’re going to be rich, and you’re going to be famous. But if you’re the 10th or 20th best opera singer – in the FRIGGING WORLD – you’re going to have to constantly scramble if you hope to make even a living wage.
The economist went on to explain how these seemingly ridiculous disparities are a natural, inevitable part of this socio-economic system. Natural or not however, if we don’t find a way to rein it in, I think we’re headed off a cliff.
I'm with you. It seems always to be that great wealth disparity destabilizes a society. I dislike the term 'capitalism', because it sounds like a religion, Buddhism, Catholicism, etc. Or a belief system. It definitely can turn into that.
I prefer to talk about Free Enterprise. Market forces are a good thing until they're not. We see now in housing, for example, that the motto is 'whatever the market will bear'. But that turns to all out profiteering if nobody is competing for buyers and renters by lowering prices.
As you mentioned, everything is evaluated by monetary worth these days. I have a ton of friends who think Taylor Swift being a billionaire is cause for celebration. And now that she's endorsed Harris, she's a super-hero. She's a f**king singer! She hasn't cured cancer. She's entertained girls. Fine. She should make a good living. But for a girl to save up $350 for the next Tay Tay tour, means that she can't spend money elsewhere. Maybe at a local business.
Poor people, like girls, have limited resources. Programming them to believe that they need to spend a hundred bucks on sneakers four times a year is predatory. It's not 'free enterprise' if it makes people less free. IMHO
Already eating pumpkin spice Twinkies.
This is a really wholesome article, the message is very counter-cultural too. The idea that a person could find satisfaction in their circumstances is not promoted in the current era. We are told to keep seeking more.
I've experienced being a big fish in a small pond and then becoming a really small fish in a big pond. It is a humbling experience in identifying where your pride lies.
I'm now a slightly bigger fish in the same pond but this pond has gotten a little smaller also. This is another thing to consider. Your internal factors can change but definitely external factors very much outside your control can change that pond experience.
"Your internal factors can change but definitely external factors very much outside your control can change that pond experience." True for sure. Which is a good reason not to identify too much with those outside factors. Easier said than done, right?
Dave, I think this may be your best article I’ve read. I have not read them all, as I’ve commented before, I’m more of a listener.
I recently left a job I had for 16 years. Longest job I’ve ever held. Previous record was 5 years. I was overcompensated and had zero appreciation for the leadership. I could have stayed another four years, tolerating leadership incompetence, doing the same thing until I retired. I could have competed for a promotion, which would include sacrificing a truly awesome work schedule. Instead, I decided to return to what I really loved. It cost me 15% in annual income. But nearly $30K per year in retirement funding. As well as the pleasure of the company of most my 30 coworkers. But the joy of doing what you love to do for a living is so gratifying, it is tough to imagine doing anything else.
Two decades ago, I gave up on the idea of learning to lead. Having been a supervisor a few times, a branch manager a couple of times, I ultimately realized that the frustrations involved in that endeavor just wasn’t worth the irritation of dealing with the typical employee’s lack of ownership, initiative and accountability. Running your own painting business, you had to experience some of that.
Upon reflection, my performance as a leader is so comparable to “The Office” TV show’s Michael Scott character, I can’t hardly watch an episode. I am much happier (and competent) as a worker, a small fish in a big pond. As much as I enjoy swimming with the school, I’m quite content to swim the solitary path I do today.
You may have explained this elsewhere, but I don’t recall why you don’t simply read these articles on YouTube. I just checked and your 8 month old video on Dems needing Trump has 45K views and 5.1K likes. You state in this article that you “used to have a YT channel.” I’d bet that if you did read these on YT, and promoted your Substack as your preferred venue, you may garner more than your anticipated 100 or so readers.
By the way, I’m happy to hear you are finding peace with your current endeavors.
Sincerely,
Dave
Thanks for the thoughts and insights, Dave.
What do you mean by 'reading' these things on YouTube? You probably mean making videos like I used to. That is a more complicated process than I've felt up for of late. I live in such a tiny space, that I can't leave things set up like almost all YouTubers do. And, as I say in this piece, having a larger audience didn't really FEEL like anything. And, let's face it, my message is more subtle than most of what's on YT.
It's just been important for me to write an awful lot. In a year, I've written enough for two sizable books. It's just taking me that much thinking and writing to figure out a way of saying things that will communicate the ideas I'm into now. If I had a spot where I could leave cameras and lights up, to lessen the friction and ease the process, I'm sure that I'd still be doing videos. But sometimes changing things up is necessary to personal growth.
I'm sure that you have friends who tell you that you blew it by downsizing your income like you did, but you went with your instincts. Same with me.
I do appreciate your nudging, though. If you've got something worthwhile to contribute, it's no sin to increase your influence, right? 45k views is a hell of a lot more influence than the 500 views I average here.
Yeah, that is what I meant. Didn’t realize it was a hassle. Maybe consider a more convenient process?
I pretty much use YT as a podcast platform, now. Was using Stitcher or Apple, but every once in a while, references would be made to something visual. I’d check and sure enough- there was usually a video on YT.
My daily listens start off with China Update and Peter Zeihan. Peter shoots his videos with his phone. At arms length, I think.
https://youtu.be/pBfxY3b3R1g?feature=shared
Tony w/CU uses a lot of stock footage, especially drone videos that relate to the people/places he is discussing.
I think I recall you saying the revenue dropped off the videos. Several conservative content creators have moved to Rumble or Licals after having vids demonetized by YT. They appreciate the higher compensation and wider Overton window. They still use YT - as a mechanism to get more eyes on their alternate platforms.
Surprisingly, no friends have given me grief over my choice. Some are skeptical about my level of satisfaction doing what they have no interest in doing- a lot of driving. But all are happy that I’m enjoying the gig.
And ya - don’t let me drag ya back into something you are happy to have in the rear view mirror. The request is self-serving!
Thanks for the reply!
I'm wondering if there's a possible avenue for a return without needing the camera. I have seen some channels which are purely narration (eg. Economics explained). They use stock footage of people going about their lives and some video relevant to the topic.
Perhaps you could narrate a condensed version of what you write here for YT. Then you could direct people here for the longer read and a more robust discussion about the topic. You could also plug your upcoming concerts with a little video snippet so people remember what Dave looks like.
Obviously this still has the issue of a much larger audience but like Dave Minke has pointed out some people are much more auditory and could still benefit from a less partisan voice on their YT.
Great insights Dave. Thank you. I've been having fun with this book called the secret by Rhonda Byrne and the dynamic laws of prosperity by Catherine ponder., and some Deepak Chopra books. The miracles in my life are and have happened since the Pandemic. So far so good. From a place of fear and panic because of the car accident 2 days before the shutdown, I had no work possibilities. But the meditation is I believe the portal that allows me to be still in the moment. As Deepak calls it learning from the wisdom of uncertainty or insecurity. Namaste. 🙏😊
I absolute love this topic! I discovered a book called The Status Game by Will Storr. He has given numerous podcast interviews you can look up. His book changed the way I look at my entire life and really improved my understanding of so many things. Your insights are right on the bullseye. There are many ways we seek "status". Many are isolated to a "virtual group" and others are the way we present ourself to the world at large. Wearing a t-shirt of our favourite band is a specific example of how we are seeking status within a select virtual group. Driving a fancy car or having a fancy vacation and posting on Facebook are others. It happens within political groups as well. Seeking to be even more pious happens across the political spectrum the same as it does within religion. 20 foot tall flags on the back of a truck, and flying rainbow flags are all signals to their groups.
The way it helped me is now I can identify how im being coerced in my own mind to try and impress and be accepted by others and it's quite freeing to not feel jealous or envious or isolated. I find myself having little interest in impressing people because I have come to realize it's my brain just seeking a silly imaginary status point score. It's unbelievably liberating. I now kind of feel bad for people spending all their waking hours at a job they hate just so they can make a few extra dollars for a new car/designer bag/bigger house/larger biceps/fancier couch/name brand shoes etc. Not having to be a slave to the never ending cycle of consumerism or social media likes makes me realise how many people have truly unhealthy addiction to seeking status. Be well
Such a great comment! Yeah, man ... you're onto it. The 50 year-old guys sending all their time getting jacked is crazy. Are they expecting a fist-fight? Or to be judged? There's this whole modern male template, as cultivated in the Rogansphere, over the last 6 or 8 years. Where all of the guys have to get up and throw weights around, and take a cold shower and then go home and start a business. :0) It's all sort of desperate in some way.
Always thoughtful writing Dave!!!
As far as fame goes, all I ever strive for is playing the perfect note.. sometimes, I am successful!!! But I digress… I discovered a while back that I have been mind controlled since birth.. we have all been mind controlled since birth and even generations of control. Through governments, religion and media, my thoughts were not my own. Stepping off that treadmill is both exciting and frightening. Exciting to discover who I really am, and frightening to discover some real truth. Things have to remain simple to move on and handle the overwhelming. To play that perfect note, basically requires love. To handle the truth about good and evil, also requires love. Not easy, but required. I see a grand awakening among the masses about the controlling media, governments and religion. The only people I have trouble really talking to are the ones that are not aware of their controlled minds. Because, they mostly try to promote fear. The fear they are constantly learning about. So, as a free thinking human being, I have to constantly protect myself from falling into that separation trap. To keep things simple, I listen for the love. If things comes at me with fear, I will not accept it as truth, and go on my merry way.
I learned this lesson from a book called, “Love is Letting Go of Fear.” It is a challenge to walk that tightrope of love. We have evolved to react to threats and see them before we are injured. A wonderful independence results from a love based perspective.
This is the big problem, Gary. I have a piece on this issue, that I haven't yet published. Working title: Our Greatest Obstacle. The premise being that all of us have been indoctrinated. We see that clearly when we look at others. It's obvious to us that they've been brainwashed. But very few of us seem able to admit that we too have been programmed.
If we could just manage to see this as a part of human group behavior - this programming and being programmed - we could see it in ourselves without being ashamed about it. Maybe then, we could get outside of these partisan and religious boxes, and combine our talents toward a better world for all. Our job is that of liberators. Hopefully we'll find the language to express this understanding in a way that won't immediately trigger defenses.
It's liable to be a long hard job. Thanks for your insights.