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"I have too much stuff. Most people in America do. In fact, the poorer people are, the more stuff they seem to have. Hardly anyone is so poor that they can't af

"I have too much stuff. Most people in America do. In fact, the poorer people are, the more stuff they seem to have. Hardly anyone is so poor that they can't afford a front yard full of old cars." http://www.paulgraham.com/stuff.html http://www.paulgraham.com/stuff.html

icantdrive55 9y ago
Yea, I got to, "I first realized the worthlessness of stuff when I lived in Italy for a year. All I took with me was one large backpack of stuff." 1. The old cars are usually project cars that offer hope to many people. They think one day I will be able to get that vechicle on the road again--if I can get sone disposable income. Reality is most won't, but I get it. 2. Rich guys and Brad Pitt can live out of backpacks. Loose the credit card for a few days and see what happens. You start to look at trash differently. 3. Yes--the peasants keep stuff. Yes--they need to cook, and they need that stuff to cook. Yes--they fix things when they break, so they can't throw away tools, and stuff. 4. When the tyranny goes, that old bike comes in handy. 5. I'm a little sensitive when rich people tell me what's valuable, or how to live a full life. I grew up with the wealthy, and their kids. They just are so disconnected, their advice only makes sense in their gated communities. Many claim they were poor when they were young, but 99% of the time, broke was only going out to dinner once a week during the tough times.
reitanqild 9y ago
There's another dead comment that explains a lot of it. I cannot see a reason why that particular comment is dead so I guess it's based on the posting history.
walshemj 9y ago
That is probably because they are buying non running examples for parts and also do DIY as they cant afford the > £200 ph for a BMW mechanic.
toomanybeersies 9y ago
One of the most liberating things I ever did was move country with only a single checked bag. The sheer amount of useless shit that I threw away was astounding.

icantdrive55 9y ago

Yea, I got to, "I first realized the worthlessness of stuff when I lived in Italy for a year. All I took with me was one large backpack of stuff." 1. The old cars are usually project cars that offer hope to many people. They think one day I will be able to get that vechicle on the road again--if I can get sone disposable income. Reality is most won't, but I get it. 2. Rich guys and Brad Pitt can live out of backpacks. Loose the credit card for a few days and see what happens. You start to look at trash differently. 3. Yes--the peasants keep stuff. Yes--they need to cook, and they need that stuff to cook. Yes--they fix things when they break, so they can't throw away tools, and stuff. 4. When the tyranny goes, that old bike comes in handy. 5. I'm a little sensitive when rich people tell me what's valuable, or how to live a full life. I grew up with the wealthy, and their kids. They just are so disconnected, their advice only makes sense in their gated communities. Many claim they were poor when they were young, but 99% of the time, broke was only going out to dinner once a week during the tough times.

reitanqild 9y ago

There's another dead comment that explains a lot of it. I cannot see a reason why that particular comment is dead so I guess it's based on the posting history.

walshemj 9y ago

That is probably because they are buying non running examples for parts and also do DIY as they cant afford the > £200 ph for a BMW mechanic.

toomanybeersies 9y ago

One of the most liberating things I ever did was move country with only a single checked bag. The sheer amount of useless shit that I threw away was astounding.