[hks786]

[hks786]

I can relate to a lot of his thoughts. Personally I hate materialism (Yes my avatar/signature suggest different lol) and our interest-driven banking and financial systems. The world survived without them before and I'm a great believer that materialism/debt is a form of slavery. It's refreshing to see someone give all that up and still survive.

[smyles]

Oh please, that's b.s. I bet thousands of other homeless bums could come up with similar if not better stories, while leaching of the society and contributing nothing back.

Not saying there's no materialism in our lives that sometimes takes over, but this is where you can be smart about it and balance, not go into denial and abandon everything like a loser.

[hks786]

The difference is though he chose this way of life unlike being poor which is something you most likely have no control over. Also, he's not leeching since he isn't receiving welfare.

[MidwestGolfBum]

"He gave up his entire life savings, $30" that says he basically had no money to begin with. They show him using a computer, in what looks to be library, which says he is using something he doesn't pay for. It was also stated that he didn't pay taxes either, so take that for what its worth.

[nusevad]

so the guy is a homeless hippie...

[Draven]

Materialism has been the driving force of our civilization for the last 2500 years. He can preach all he wants about the enlightenment of not joining the rat-race for the pursuit of money, but the reality is that the rest of the world has recognized that we don't need to forage for food and seek shelter in natural caves. We trade the skills we have in the form of employment for the stuff we need and want in the form of currency. Different skills equate to different amounts of currency.

I see his FRUSTRATION about a house devaluing $200k dollars, but both he and the narrator are idiots if they don't understand the concept of supply and demand and how it affects price. Mortgages were being given out like candy, houses were few and far between, and the supply was low so prices were high. That's why home builders were doing so well and building so much before the '08 crash, people were buying. Today, mortgages are harder to get and more people are selling their homes so the supply is high and prices are low. As a home owner, I couldn't sell my place either and it sucks, but these are simple economic principles. If the guy doesn't understand them, he should stick to the woods.

[MadDog]

Originally Posted by FifthStreetz

so the guy is a homeless hippie...

Basically. He dumpster dives and relies upon friends and strangers for food. No different than a lot of the homeless.

[Epacy2]

He didn't give up money if he eats what others give him. How does he think they bought that food and how did they obtain the means to do it?

[Hisam135i]

I think op meant *the man that gave up trying to make money

[Maestro]

Originally Posted by ecjohnston

"He gave up his entire life savings, $30" that says he basically had no money to begin with. They show him using a computer, in what looks to be library, which says he is using something he doesn't pay for. It was also stated that he didn't pay taxes either, so take that for what its worth.

I was just going to point this out, yes he is not using any money he earned nor does he earn any money, but her is living off other people's money. Trust me there are people other there who in fact do not need money or other people money. They live off the land and barter for things they may need which they can get themselves and it is not this guy. This just another person who figure out how to get a free ride without having to work for it.

[hks786]

Originally Posted by Maestro

I was just going to point this out, yes he is not using any money he earned nor does he earn any money, but her is living off other people's money. Trust me there are people other there who in fact do not need money or other people money. They live off the land and barter for things they may need which they can get themselves and it is not this guy. This just another person who figure out how to get a free ride without having to work for it.

This.

Ok this was a bad example because he is still technically depending on public services like the library and eating other people's food. I stand by what I said. It's just my opinion that materialism and debt are cancers in this world. Sure I understand supply/demand etc. but there are fundamental flaws and injustices in our society that will keep people struggling with debt and poverty.

[woosh]

Originally Posted by Draven

Materialism has been the driving force of our material civilization for the last 2500 years.

Fixed

[Maestro]

Originally Posted by hks786

This.

Ok this was a bad example because he is still technically depending on public services like the library and eating other people's food. I stand by what I said. It's just my opinion that materialism and debt are cancers in this world. Sure I understand supply/demand etc. but there are fundamental flaws and injustices in our society that will keep people struggling with debt and poverty.

I do agree that people becoming too materialistic has cause most of our problems. The problem is not the money, if people actually had money not credit we would be fine. But Everyone today wants what everyone else has and they are willing to spend money they do not have and will not have for years to come to get it.

I personally have been cutting back, yes I earn a good wage, but I am choosing not to spend it all and then some. Today I only have a house loan and I only have that because it allows me to pay less taxes to the government. Beyond this I pay cash for what I have and only buy what I really need.

But most people are weak and could not survive if they did what this guy is doing or others who actually fend for themselves.

[smyles]

Originally Posted by hks786

... It's just my opinion that materialism and debt are cancers in this world.

Cavemen lived what, 25...30 yrs the longest? Now with all the drugs and other material things people push 75...80 and beyond. So logically living "all natural" is akin to cancer since it's significantly reduces life longevity (and quality)

Originally Posted by hks786

... Sure I understand supply/demand etc. but there are fundamental flaws and injustices in our society that will keep people struggling with debt and poverty.

Fundamental? Like what? No two people are alike? Blame nature (or God), I guess...

[Kensta335]

Originally Posted by hks786

The difference is though he chose this way of life unlike being poor which is something you most likely have no control over. Also, he's not leeching since he isn't receiving welfare.

$30 life savings to me is poor.

[3_runner]

British point of view: This is an inspiring story about standing up for your beliefs and the evils of banks and capitalism (bats eyelashes).

American point of view: Hippie homeless bum living off the system and getting handouts (shakes head).

[len56]

you all like "materialism"
im all like

[stimpy]

Originally Posted by Maestro

I was just going to point this out, yes he is not using any money he earned nor does he earn any money, but her is living off other people's money. Trust me there are people other there who in fact do not need money or other people money. They live off the land and barter for things they may need which they can get themselves and it is not this guy. This just another person who figure out how to get a free ride without having to work for it.

+1

Shame on the guy writing this book for trying to make it more than it is. He's a homeless hippie that's living off of others.

[kevinbahnz]

its all women's fault. we buy nice cars to get them, and then we buy a bigger house to keep them..

[Hula-Hula]

Cool story hks786 bro! Thanx for sharing.

I agree with you, gotta keep an open mind since the financial structure sure isnt working for everybody as of right now.

Don't mind these heated americans!

[yakev724]

Originally Posted by Draven

Materialism has been the driving force of our material civilization for the last 2500 years.

Originally Posted by woosh

Fixed

Guy named Kevin Kelly traveled across the world for a few years with very little to contrast with our society first hand. Wrote about it in 'what technology wants'. Interesting read.