nothing to sell out for

A couple of weeks ago approximately had epiphany that probably the reason why U.S. presidents from Bush 1 on up to today have championed globalization is in the cause of world peace. 


If we leave behind the model of,


 Rich First World and Poverty-Stricken Third World


and go to a new model --


one world with a functioning economy in which all can participate


then fanaticism and anti-Americanism will go away and


people won't be flying planes into buildings, as on 9-11.


------------------------------ This is what I'm thinking was the Purpose of
globalization
and the
race to the bottom.


----------------------------
The Becoming Minimalist writer Joshua Becker called attention to a Dec. 2013 article in the NYTimes where a dad wrote about his 25-year-old son who is a full-time musician.  Comparing ideas of "success"...


an article like that is a comment-magnet.


Comments


Matt in Illinois:  We do seem to have a societal problem of not wanting to support a class of artists today.  We need more artists like Max to keep us connected with our dreams....I wish it were easier here in the USA to work as an artist and contribute to the greater good of society.  We need more than blockbuster superstar artists.


MB in San Francisco:  The truth about Max's generation is that if there are no 'working for the man' jobs to be had or if working for the man doesn't pay any more than working for yourself, why bother working for the man?


The Millennial generation are simply making the best out of a bad situation.  If you work in a job and give everything up for it and still don't have enough to buy a house or build up a pension, you might as well drop out and pursue your dreams instead.  There is nothing to sell out for.


JXG in San Francisco:  This was really great.


Not because I agree or disagree with the goal of living like Max does, but for making us all ask the questions:


What do we want out of life?  What makes us happy?  How do we get to that point?


Matt in Astoria:  This dad loves his boy.  But that's what this is about -- a boy.  Who didn't love being a kid free to do what they want all the time?  I mean -- duh.  But the bigger thing going on here is there's a new generation of people refusing to grow up till their late 20s and early 30s.  It's a bad trend -- people being obsessed with their own happiness.


Jonathan T in CA:  > It's a bad trend -- people being obsessed with their own happiness. 


Where do I even begin...


alotofmath in New Jersey:  As someone who is part of the younger generation, I can attest that the path to a "traditional" life is difficult, or nearly impossible; I work a full-time job that keeps me doing okay, but leaves little for saving; I live as simply as possible for that reason. 


I am starting consulting work to add to the savings I can make.  At some point, I realized that despite my work ethic, my many years of successful employment, my education in technology, it may be impossible for me to have great financial success; so, at some point one goes for experience, because, why not? 


If there is no alternative, and the potential for a successful life is low, I may as well enjoy the years I have.  I think people are quick to point to laziness; but, when success seems more like Vegas than Horatio Alger, a work ethic seems a bad bet.





Igor in Lincoln:  As a boomer parent of an actor / tour guide, a poet / barista, and a college student majoring in concept art, I sympathize with many of those expressing skepticism about the economics of Max's career. 


But I was a studio art major myself -- and when I took a course in electronic music and did a thesis in multimedia design, I know my parents were dumbfounded and anxious. 


I graduated into a recession, and didn't hold a permanent job until seven years after graduation, when I founded a company with a couple of partners and bootstrapped it into a career that supported a growing family. 


We have no idea what the future holds for the Millennials, and should not judge their choices based upon the economics and lifestyle standards of the past. 


Things change too fast. 


And it's quite possible that they will build a better, more equitable and sustainable society if we just let them go to it.


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