Possum Living - Open Knowledge — LiveJournal

I read that a couple of years ago. I love it. :-)

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I understand the urge to escape the race, the need to have a job, etc.

But isn't is vastly more efficient to trade rather than try to do everything yourself? I prefer to think about ways to make money while having fun.

Are you attracted to this lifestyle because it seems fun? is it because you consider it immoral to pay taxes??

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It's certainly more efficient to trade for some things, such as the computer I'm typing on, for instance. However, I don't think satisfying basic needs yourself--such as for food, clothing, shelter--results in a much greater loss of efficiency. (Depending on how you go about doing it.)

Some people seem to find work that they love and which pays well, and I'd like to find it as well. However, many of the most intrinsically satisfying jobs (acting, writing, music, painting, tinkering) don't pay very well for most participants, especially during the early stages of such a career. The less you can live on, the less you will be required to work at a day job.

My job pays a fair salary, I like the people I work with, the company is doing something novel and beneficial, and it offers the opportunity to make a lot of money someday. However, no matter how good the job, working for others means that you must work to their standards, on their time table, at an appropriate location, and dressed in appropriate attire. No matter how much I may enjoy the work itself, I dislike such constraints. For me, the minor loss in efficiency that may result from doing some things yourself is worth the increased independence. Even if I decide to stay in the rat race, being able to live comfortably on a low income gives me much more freedom of motion, and bargaining power.

I think a frugal lifestyle is not necessarily "fun" (although finding a good deal can be a thrill), but I think people require much lower income than they think to be happy. I don't think it's immoral to pay taxes, since they are extracted under duress, although of course, I'd like to pay as little as possible.

I also think homesteading skills will be useful for the Seastead project, which I see as an important long term project for reducing the power and scope of government. I plan to some day build and live on one.

Finally, I simply like reading about people who live unusual lifestyles.

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I've read a good bit of it so far, just for fun though. I would never think of living like this myself but it sure is interesting to see what some people would consider a good standard of living. All that raising of rabbits, distilling liquor, fishing, gardening and gleaning of dumpsters seems like an awfully lot of work to me.

I'd dare say that those two people did/do far more work than I do in day "working for the man". I do admire them for their ability to live on a small amount of money though. I'd like to be able to live on as little money as possible and squirrel away the rest in something solid, like gold or silver or Euros. But I would not be willing to raise and kill rabbits in my basement. Nor would I be willing to quit my cushy, corporate gig either. I just wish I could save more money, dammit, and stop being a fucking slave to the consumer economy.

Sorry to ramble. I guess I needed to get that off my chest. Thanks, Dr. Crasch. I'll get up off your couch now :).

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an interesting read...

while not agreeing with all the attitudes expressed, i appreciate the information and inspiration in that book...

i do not intend to become entangled in the 9-5 lifestyle...

i find no meaning in money and material gain...

i seek the rawness, Truth and meaning that is found through connection, growth and creation.....


i also posted a link to the same article in my lj....

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Glad you liked it. BTW, how did you happen upon my journal? We don't seem to have many common interests, and we don't have any friends in common. I'm quite curious how people find it.

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i chanced upon your journal through metabeing... who is watching a community im in....

connection travels strange paths at times hmm?

permission to add you?

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Thanks! Yes, connection does travel strange paths. Of course, you can add me if you like.

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