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Especially as decluttering doesn't automatically make you happy (in the long term). Like buying stuff doesn't make you happy/unhappy as well. These "do as I sa

Especially as decluttering doesn't automatically make you happy (in the long term). Like buying stuff doesn't make you happy/unhappy as well. These "do as I say" because "I am the norm" types pf postings are such a drag. A sample of size 1 doesn't have any valid information in it. It is an anecdote - and nothing more. To infer from that is BS imho.

unclebucknasty 10y ago
>A sample of size 1 doesn't have any valid information in it. It is an anecdote - and nothing more. To infer from that is BS imho. But, if that sample set had been pg or "similar", it would have been received differently. An entire industry exists that seeks to impart "life wisdom" based on a sample set of one. I've long been over the "here's how I do it, so you should too" books/advice out there, irrespective of the source. But, most people gobble it up if the author is perceived to be successful. However, when the author is "just some guy like everyone else" it tends to come off as preachy and of limited value. But, let 'ol James strike it big, and his books on minimalism will sell out.
- sdoering 10y ago
  > But, if that sample set had been pg or "similar", it would have been received differently. Not for me. It could also have been Tim Ferriss or any one such entity. > But, most people gobble it up if the author is perceived to be successful. Sadly so. Advice from a (percieved) successful person tends to kill critical thinking for lots of people. >> A sample of size 1 doesn't have any valid information in it. But to be more diplomatic: It might have some inspiration for your own testing, though. Maybe I should learn to be more diplomatic and less black/white.
  - unclebucknasty 10y ago
    >It could also have been Tim Ferriss Ha! Yeah, especially not that guy. He's one person who helped me to get over the whole "seeking advice" thing, with his highly specific "worked for me, so everyone else should do it too" schtick. The advice that's funniest is that wherein if everyone actually followed it, then it could not possibly be effective. Yeah, let's all 1.35 million people who bought the book relocate to a small country where the exchange rate is favorable, start a niche business, and test our products by putting up phony websites with "buy" buttons that don't actually work so we can measure demand. That should work out well for all of us. >tends to kill critical thinking Indeed. In fact, the act of seeking advice can be a creativity killer. It's a mindset of "let me replicate this other person" vs using my unique experience and knowledge to innovate. None of this is to say never learn from others or take advice. Just that there is a culture of hero worship and elevation of others over self that I believe is counterproductive for many. But, you know, don't take my advice. :)
csydas 10y ago
I think that's an overly critical reading of a kind of flowery blog-post, and putting a lot of emotion behind what I think was more "hey, try this and see if it helps" as opposed to "DO THIS". I do agree that if it was being offered as a panacea for all modern woes there'd be reason for harsher scrutiny, but as it stands, it's just some blogger opining that having less might help a bit since they believe it's an unfulfilling task for the amount of time and effort. Also, it's not as if this blogger is the only person to suggest minimalism; there was an article on HN not too long ago about how minimalism is kicking up in Japan - a casual search for minimalism will show that it's an idea with some following that is a style of philosophy more than anything really. I'm not sure why this prompted such a harsh reaction, since it's just a fluffy article.
- sdoering 10y ago
  Oh I was being critical. I know. Non the less - I love the idea of minimalism for me personally (even if I do not live it in large parts of my life). For me as a person decluttering personal relationships and being very selective of people I let into my life is refreshing, freeing and more. Also when I do buy "stuff" I tend to by tools, not "real stuff". And I tend to watch for quality/value first, not price. Something I also learned from the minimalism community. Non the less - I just do not like this notion of N=1 has to work for all. I like to be critical and take such things with a huge grain of salt. But yes - I could have formulated my critique a little bit more diplomatically.
  - csydas 10y ago
    Fair enough. To be honest, I do agree with you that such articles should be condemned when they occur, but I just felt that this was much. And I think you have a reasonable position.

unclebucknasty 10y ago

>A sample of size 1 doesn't have any valid information in it. It is an anecdote - and nothing more. To infer from that is BS imho. But, if that sample set had been pg or "similar", it would have been received differently. An entire industry exists that seeks to impart "life wisdom" based on a sample set of one. I've long been over the "here's how I do it, so you should too" books/advice out there, irrespective of the source. But, most people gobble it up if the author is perceived to be successful. However, when the author is "just some guy like everyone else" it tends to come off as preachy and of limited value. But, let 'ol James strike it big, and his books on minimalism will sell out.

sdoering 10y ago
> But, if that sample set had been pg or "similar", it would have been received differently. Not for me. It could also have been Tim Ferriss or any one such entity. > But, most people gobble it up if the author is perceived to be successful. Sadly so. Advice from a (percieved) successful person tends to kill critical thinking for lots of people. >> A sample of size 1 doesn't have any valid information in it. But to be more diplomatic: It might have some inspiration for your own testing, though. Maybe I should learn to be more diplomatic and less black/white.
- unclebucknasty 10y ago
  >It could also have been Tim Ferriss Ha! Yeah, especially not that guy. He's one person who helped me to get over the whole "seeking advice" thing, with his highly specific "worked for me, so everyone else should do it too" schtick. The advice that's funniest is that wherein if everyone actually followed it, then it could not possibly be effective. Yeah, let's all 1.35 million people who bought the book relocate to a small country where the exchange rate is favorable, start a niche business, and test our products by putting up phony websites with "buy" buttons that don't actually work so we can measure demand. That should work out well for all of us. >tends to kill critical thinking Indeed. In fact, the act of seeking advice can be a creativity killer. It's a mindset of "let me replicate this other person" vs using my unique experience and knowledge to innovate. None of this is to say never learn from others or take advice. Just that there is a culture of hero worship and elevation of others over self that I believe is counterproductive for many. But, you know, don't take my advice. :)

csydas 10y ago

I think that's an overly critical reading of a kind of flowery blog-post, and putting a lot of emotion behind what I think was more "hey, try this and see if it helps" as opposed to "DO THIS". I do agree that if it was being offered as a panacea for all modern woes there'd be reason for harsher scrutiny, but as it stands, it's just some blogger opining that having less might help a bit since they believe it's an unfulfilling task for the amount of time and effort. Also, it's not as if this blogger is the only person to suggest minimalism; there was an article on HN not too long ago about how minimalism is kicking up in Japan - a casual search for minimalism will show that it's an idea with some following that is a style of philosophy more than anything really. I'm not sure why this prompted such a harsh reaction, since it's just a fluffy article.

sdoering 10y ago
Oh I was being critical. I know. Non the less - I love the idea of minimalism for me personally (even if I do not live it in large parts of my life). For me as a person decluttering personal relationships and being very selective of people I let into my life is refreshing, freeing and more. Also when I do buy "stuff" I tend to by tools, not "real stuff". And I tend to watch for quality/value first, not price. Something I also learned from the minimalism community. Non the less - I just do not like this notion of N=1 has to work for all. I like to be critical and take such things with a huge grain of salt. But yes - I could have formulated my critique a little bit more diplomatically.
- csydas 10y ago
  Fair enough. To be honest, I do agree with you that such articles should be condemned when they occur, but I just felt that this was much. And I think you have a reasonable position.