6 ms·

Both of my parents are retired. My father spends his time with his amateur radio, writes magazine articles for niche publications (about amateur radio), works a

Both of my parents are retired. My father spends his time with his amateur radio, writes magazine articles for niche publications (about amateur radio), works around the house, and sometimes consults with startups from his former field. My mother spends her time reading novels, taking care of grandchildren, visiting family members, and volunteering. Retirement seems like a good deal to me. It's not an inability to do things greater than yourself, it's the freedom to choose your pursuits without economic constraints (ideally). Owning a boat, and sailing for pleasure sounds like a lovely hobby. I don't see anything wrong with aspiring to spend time that way.

AndrewKemendo 9y ago
I don't see anything wrong with aspiring to spend time that way. At the end of the day it's just indulgence, not actually using your potential to the fullest. Going through life simply for pleasure is the sure fire way to have no lasting impact. If that's what you want to do, then great, but I get annoyed when mediocrity is touted as the greatest good.
- sangnoir 9y ago
  > Going through life simply for pleasure is the sure fire way to have no lasting impact. Not everyone wants that. Some people have had their run "making impact" and want nothing more than to spend time with their loved ones and enjoy their hobbies. I strongly doubt they'll be on their deathbeds thinking "I regret wasting all that time spent with family and doing things I love; I ought to have made a bigger impact at work instead"
  - AndrewKemendo 9y ago
    Not everyone wants that. Sure, in which case they shouldn't be complaining about not having impactful work. I strongly doubt they'll be on their deathbeds thinking "I regret wasting all that time spent with family and doing things I love; I ought to have made a bigger impact at work instead" This is a false narrative and not mutually exclusive with doing important work. Most people die suddenly without a community surrounding them, family or otherwise. I'm dubious about the number of people who have great end of life with a loving family surrounding them.
    - sangnoir 9y ago
      > This is a false narrative and not mutually exclusive with doing important work. It seems like you're noting a weakness in your original argument as you set up the dichotomy. In reference to aspiring to life on a boat in retirement, you had said: >> At the end of the day it's just indulgence, not actually using your potential to the fullest. Going through life simply for pleasure is the sure fire way to have no lasting impact.
      - AndrewKemendo 9y ago
        There is no dichotomy by default. In practice, most people can't seem to balance them, but I'd argue it's because they chose their partners/friends etc... wrong. Ever hear of a "Power couple?"
- ImSkeptical 9y ago
  If life were nothing but an unending challenge, where every action had to challenge the actor to their full potential, I think it would be hard to tolerate. What's the point of working hard to make the world better, if the only thing you're working hard for is to enable more hard work? I want my children to work hard, to challenge themselves, and to do something valuable. I also want them to have a good time, and not become worker robots. There's a place for everything. Retirement is the place for entertaining your own hobbies and interests, even if that means working on your boat and going out on the lake.
  - AndrewKemendo 9y ago
    If life were nothing but an unending challenge, where every action had to challenge the actor to their full potential, I think it would be hard to tolerate. Fully agreed: "But in the end one needs more courage to live than to kill himself" - Camus

AndrewKemendo 9y ago

I don't see anything wrong with aspiring to spend time that way. At the end of the day it's just indulgence, not actually using your potential to the fullest. Going through life simply for pleasure is the sure fire way to have no lasting impact. If that's what you want to do, then great, but I get annoyed when mediocrity is touted as the greatest good.

sangnoir 9y ago
> Going through life simply for pleasure is the sure fire way to have no lasting impact. Not everyone wants that. Some people have had their run "making impact" and want nothing more than to spend time with their loved ones and enjoy their hobbies. I strongly doubt they'll be on their deathbeds thinking "I regret wasting all that time spent with family and doing things I love; I ought to have made a bigger impact at work instead"
- AndrewKemendo 9y ago
  Not everyone wants that. Sure, in which case they shouldn't be complaining about not having impactful work. I strongly doubt they'll be on their deathbeds thinking "I regret wasting all that time spent with family and doing things I love; I ought to have made a bigger impact at work instead" This is a false narrative and not mutually exclusive with doing important work. Most people die suddenly without a community surrounding them, family or otherwise. I'm dubious about the number of people who have great end of life with a loving family surrounding them.
  - sangnoir 9y ago
    > This is a false narrative and not mutually exclusive with doing important work. It seems like you're noting a weakness in your original argument as you set up the dichotomy. In reference to aspiring to life on a boat in retirement, you had said: >> At the end of the day it's just indulgence, not actually using your potential to the fullest. Going through life simply for pleasure is the sure fire way to have no lasting impact.
    - AndrewKemendo 9y ago
      There is no dichotomy by default. In practice, most people can't seem to balance them, but I'd argue it's because they chose their partners/friends etc... wrong. Ever hear of a "Power couple?"
ImSkeptical 9y ago
If life were nothing but an unending challenge, where every action had to challenge the actor to their full potential, I think it would be hard to tolerate. What's the point of working hard to make the world better, if the only thing you're working hard for is to enable more hard work? I want my children to work hard, to challenge themselves, and to do something valuable. I also want them to have a good time, and not become worker robots. There's a place for everything. Retirement is the place for entertaining your own hobbies and interests, even if that means working on your boat and going out on the lake.
- AndrewKemendo 9y ago
  If life were nothing but an unending challenge, where every action had to challenge the actor to their full potential, I think it would be hard to tolerate. Fully agreed: "But in the end one needs more courage to live than to kill himself" - Camus