I left the mob behind years ago by deciding to only do things which were free and on my doorstep. I have a beautiful local beach one hour's walk away if you are very slow like me but through beautiful woods and I take a thermos of coffee with me because the cafe on the beach is beautiful but expensive. If I leave early in the morning I miss most of the crowds. I can visit the theatre and cinema online, I have everything delivered as I hate crowds and shops.
There's a pretty local pond a short walk away which is lovely to sit by and some beautiful gardens leading to the town centre.
The pubic library is good but can get crowded again it is all about timing your visit to avoid everyone so just make sure you get there at opening time.
Appreciate what you have on your doorstep and leave all the hassle to other people.
There must be beautiful places you can take your family to nearby and little mom and pop guesthouses in out of the way places.
The secret is to not follow the crowd but go in the opposite direction.
When flying in the past I always got to the airport ridiculously early to avoid the lines but I only ever flew for work - I would never fly for a vacation because I hate airports.
Interesting problem, Jamie - the prosperity train is crowded, at least in business class. We all want what we think others have. And we'll compete to the bitter end to get it. Our usual answer, as you suggest, is to slam the door behind us. It's all good as long as we get ours.
The "promise" of capitalism has been "more" - more of everything: time, stuff, you name it. And faster, better, and cheaper (well not in the end). But it has really been the same ruse. A few benefit at the expense of many.
The next move is to realize it's not a competition. It's a collaboration. We're creating what we're experiencing. We can choose something else. Will we?
Jamie, your latest newsletter hits the nail on the head. It's clear as day that the old systems and so-called 'luxuries' are failing us. This is exactly why we're diving headfirst into alternative solutions like heliogenesis. It's not just about fixing what's broken; it's about reinventing the wheel. We're talking about real, sustainable change that goes beyond the surface. Heliogenesis isn't just another buzzword; it's a potential game-changer in how we approach environmental and societal challenges. We're all in on this – it's time to leave outdated practices behind and pave the way for a sustainable future. www.heliogenesis.io
Prosperity and abundance is a double edged sword. Overall, we are living in the most wonderful time in history, but it comes at a modern day cost. I'd still rather deal with long lines, and capitalism byproducts than get the bubonic plague in 1350. Relative vs absolute living standards. Thanks for bringing this up, and I look forward to the follow ups!
I don't understand the complexities of the Global South, but the diminishing value Clear and the Centurion Lounge and, tbh, everything hasn't gone unnoticed. I look forward to the solutions part of your program, as well as your other well-observed insights. Thanks for your free weekly notes.
gross simplification of the past half century of post-Bretton Woods, IMF/World Bank policy: let our multinationals in to mine, farm, log your shit. We'll sell back to you the finished/refined products. Build the infrastructure we're gonna need (road, dams, power plants etc) and hold the debt. We promise jobs and prosperity. You'll get elite capture (your fat cats with Swiss accounts siphoning the money to their clan), environmental degradation, and an unpayable debt service that leaves you even further over the barrel to sign over even more of your natural and mineral rights (as in the Amazon). repeat.
interesting. that's the Substack algo, not anything I turned on. Always want the basic reading to be free and open. If I ever get around to proper subscriptions it will be for live convos, audibles, etc. Writing on spec for "customers" sucks the fun out of it ;)
Meaning is from our hands more than the thoughts of using our hands.
Culture can not exist in a world of gentrification and individualism.
It’s a divorce economy, that’s why all the other travellers are also so ‘homeless’, because escape is that very process, to run away from home to the memory of gains and being served.
A gazillion kings without digestible food, now eating plastic and wood in every flavoured coloured quickness.
What’s the name for all the dead tourists colourful jackets and bodies stranded on the mountain?
Virus cruises with new toilet rolls and towels?
Is nothing learned in this fictional idea of migration, and the twisted, erased writings of Darwin, to standardize orthodoxy to its wishes, execute the critique and silence those who look up.
Amigo, of all your observations this one resonates most with me. I travel a lot for (what used to be) pleasure and am constantly re-evaluating then eschewing the relentless come-ons for credit card deals that carry whopping (new!) annual fees offset by meaningless or ludicrously unobtainable perks some of which require additional expense to acquire. All this is another manifestation of what you term "moving the Goalposts" of enjoyable travel further into the realm of the privileged. By the time the Zone A Golden Circle Platinum Sapphire President's Preferred Trillion Mile Diamond Elite Emerald Status flyers have pre-boarded, claimed their ample seats with leg room and crammed full the (unassigned and deliberately insufficient) overhead bin space, the punishment that awaits those traveling in steerage can hardly be endured without chiropractic attention. One teensy example. (For $18.95 this comment will remain unedited for 24 hours. Or $29.95 for 48 hours. THis offer expires in 20 minutes but can be extended for another 10 minutes for only $7.77)
I enjoy your writing and your insights but also find your negativity to be confusing. Of course there’s more of us now, but we are all in this together. And it is our collective consciousness that will steer us in the direction we choose
thx for reading! not sure what part our "collective consciousness" would have to play on the stuff I wrote about in this one? FWIW, I'm a Stockdale Paradox kinda guy--ruthlessly realistic about short term realities, infinitely hopeful about long term possibilities
I suppose the part about the world is ending and there’s too many of us and not enough of something.. the tone feels doomsday.. insert collective consciousness.
but in any case , I actually want to thank you for a very helpful distinction that has recently been valuable to me - from your TED talk about what makes you come alive vs what you think the world needs. It has helped me make a very important decision. Thanks for the reply. Also curious if you are hosting any local events in Austin?
Jamie, you are an acute observer and an excellent writer. I didn’t find this piece overly dark, rather a reality check about expectations, human psychology, gamed systems, and questions we should all be asking ourselves going forward. I haven’t ever been in a position to “upgrade” services or whatever, but I probably would’ve given the chance. Maybe it was a blessing in disguise…
I left the mob behind years ago by deciding to only do things which were free and on my doorstep. I have a beautiful local beach one hour's walk away if you are very slow like me but through beautiful woods and I take a thermos of coffee with me because the cafe on the beach is beautiful but expensive. If I leave early in the morning I miss most of the crowds. I can visit the theatre and cinema online, I have everything delivered as I hate crowds and shops.
There's a pretty local pond a short walk away which is lovely to sit by and some beautiful gardens leading to the town centre.
The pubic library is good but can get crowded again it is all about timing your visit to avoid everyone so just make sure you get there at opening time.
Appreciate what you have on your doorstep and leave all the hassle to other people.
There must be beautiful places you can take your family to nearby and little mom and pop guesthouses in out of the way places.
The secret is to not follow the crowd but go in the opposite direction.
When flying in the past I always got to the airport ridiculously early to avoid the lines but I only ever flew for work - I would never fly for a vacation because I hate airports.
Interesting problem, Jamie - the prosperity train is crowded, at least in business class. We all want what we think others have. And we'll compete to the bitter end to get it. Our usual answer, as you suggest, is to slam the door behind us. It's all good as long as we get ours.
The "promise" of capitalism has been "more" - more of everything: time, stuff, you name it. And faster, better, and cheaper (well not in the end). But it has really been the same ruse. A few benefit at the expense of many.
The next move is to realize it's not a competition. It's a collaboration. We're creating what we're experiencing. We can choose something else. Will we?
https://youtu.be/UJCCzRl6a3c?si=_7V6QRaagpRZ2LZm
I'd bet that this is the least dark of all the articles ever written with "Late Stage Capitalism" in the title.
Jamie, your latest newsletter hits the nail on the head. It's clear as day that the old systems and so-called 'luxuries' are failing us. This is exactly why we're diving headfirst into alternative solutions like heliogenesis. It's not just about fixing what's broken; it's about reinventing the wheel. We're talking about real, sustainable change that goes beyond the surface. Heliogenesis isn't just another buzzword; it's a potential game-changer in how we approach environmental and societal challenges. We're all in on this – it's time to leave outdated practices behind and pave the way for a sustainable future. www.heliogenesis.io
The photo of a long line of climbers snaking up Mount Everest or K2 illustrated your words perfectly!
that's Everest at the exact time a buddy was summiting from the Tibetan side
Thank you as always …no need to apologize for the tone, it’s your lucid sobriety that is so refreshing and welcome 🙏
Prosperity and abundance is a double edged sword. Overall, we are living in the most wonderful time in history, but it comes at a modern day cost. I'd still rather deal with long lines, and capitalism byproducts than get the bubonic plague in 1350. Relative vs absolute living standards. Thanks for bringing this up, and I look forward to the follow ups!
I don't understand the complexities of the Global South, but the diminishing value Clear and the Centurion Lounge and, tbh, everything hasn't gone unnoticed. I look forward to the solutions part of your program, as well as your other well-observed insights. Thanks for your free weekly notes.
gross simplification of the past half century of post-Bretton Woods, IMF/World Bank policy: let our multinationals in to mine, farm, log your shit. We'll sell back to you the finished/refined products. Build the infrastructure we're gonna need (road, dams, power plants etc) and hold the debt. We promise jobs and prosperity. You'll get elite capture (your fat cats with Swiss accounts siphoning the money to their clan), environmental degradation, and an unpayable debt service that leaves you even further over the barrel to sign over even more of your natural and mineral rights (as in the Amazon). repeat.
Always enjoy reading your stuff and had a good laugh this time as this followed your article…
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interesting. that's the Substack algo, not anything I turned on. Always want the basic reading to be free and open. If I ever get around to proper subscriptions it will be for live convos, audibles, etc. Writing on spec for "customers" sucks the fun out of it ;)
Life is shallow in the fast lane.
Meaning is from our hands more than the thoughts of using our hands.
Culture can not exist in a world of gentrification and individualism.
It’s a divorce economy, that’s why all the other travellers are also so ‘homeless’, because escape is that very process, to run away from home to the memory of gains and being served.
A gazillion kings without digestible food, now eating plastic and wood in every flavoured coloured quickness.
What’s the name for all the dead tourists colourful jackets and bodies stranded on the mountain?
Virus cruises with new toilet rolls and towels?
Is nothing learned in this fictional idea of migration, and the twisted, erased writings of Darwin, to standardize orthodoxy to its wishes, execute the critique and silence those who look up.
Amigo, of all your observations this one resonates most with me. I travel a lot for (what used to be) pleasure and am constantly re-evaluating then eschewing the relentless come-ons for credit card deals that carry whopping (new!) annual fees offset by meaningless or ludicrously unobtainable perks some of which require additional expense to acquire. All this is another manifestation of what you term "moving the Goalposts" of enjoyable travel further into the realm of the privileged. By the time the Zone A Golden Circle Platinum Sapphire President's Preferred Trillion Mile Diamond Elite Emerald Status flyers have pre-boarded, claimed their ample seats with leg room and crammed full the (unassigned and deliberately insufficient) overhead bin space, the punishment that awaits those traveling in steerage can hardly be endured without chiropractic attention. One teensy example. (For $18.95 this comment will remain unedited for 24 hours. Or $29.95 for 48 hours. THis offer expires in 20 minutes but can be extended for another 10 minutes for only $7.77)
I enjoy your writing and your insights but also find your negativity to be confusing. Of course there’s more of us now, but we are all in this together. And it is our collective consciousness that will steer us in the direction we choose
thx for reading! not sure what part our "collective consciousness" would have to play on the stuff I wrote about in this one? FWIW, I'm a Stockdale Paradox kinda guy--ruthlessly realistic about short term realities, infinitely hopeful about long term possibilities
As of note, in disaster (emergence) the best life long friendships occur from strangers.
Our disaster is to not notice each other and call it a ‘race’.
I suppose the part about the world is ending and there’s too many of us and not enough of something.. the tone feels doomsday.. insert collective consciousness.
but in any case , I actually want to thank you for a very helpful distinction that has recently been valuable to me - from your TED talk about what makes you come alive vs what you think the world needs. It has helped me make a very important decision. Thanks for the reply. Also curious if you are hosting any local events in Austin?
Jamie, you are an acute observer and an excellent writer. I didn’t find this piece overly dark, rather a reality check about expectations, human psychology, gamed systems, and questions we should all be asking ourselves going forward. I haven’t ever been in a position to “upgrade” services or whatever, but I probably would’ve given the chance. Maybe it was a blessing in disguise…