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Exactly. Ferris rails against what he describes as "the deferred life," or traditional work-and-retire life planning. But he swings the pendulum too far in the

Exactly. Ferris rails against what he describes as "the deferred life," or traditional work-and-retire life planning. But he swings the pendulum too far in the opposite direction, advocating living entirely in, and for, the present. What both of these philosophies seem to miss is that the self exists to create something enduring. This can be a legacy, or a company, or children, or a work of art, or essentially anything that outlasts the expiration of one's body and mind. Neither the deferred life nor Ferris's "4 Hour Workweek" places any sort of priority on this type of long-term goal, and achieving such a goal requires a necessary degree of sacrifice. It certainly requires focus, cumulative effort directed toward a tangible outcome, and more than 4 hours a week. Everything is an adventure for Ferris, but it's an adventure without direction or destination. It is an eternal, guilt-free spring break, bankrolled by ad hoc projects and detachment from any forms of obligation. That may indeed be an improvement over cubicle slavery for most readers. But it'll still be a fundamentally hollow existence for anyone inclined to build or seek meaning.

jodrellblank 15y ago
What both of these philosophies seem to miss is that the self exists to create something enduring. Citation needed.
guylhem 15y ago
I'd dare say being with money but no purpose can be a curse. I have no proof to offer and some heirs and trust fund kids seems to be doing just fine, but I believe part of being human includes finding or having purpose - what you call something enduring. It can be a cause, a religion, a business, children, whatever - something! Maybe we are all different and some people are happy living a purposeless life. To me, what Ferris advocates seems a lot like waiting for death in the best shape possible, to leave a good looking cadaver behind. We are a different crowd here - as others replied, having less free time, they enjoy the hack provided in his book to get better health. Using his advice in this way, picking up interesting tidbits, to fix self-identified issues is one thing. But drinking the koolaid on the 4 hour work week and leaving the purpose to be defined to today's guru is totally different. IMHO, that's very close to the "lifestyle business" quite often promoted here, and it might be a reason why it's so well received. Yet it seems very wrong on so many levels. It's basically settling for a status quo, giving up on life and hope, trying to find some meager contentment in maintaining control over a self built prison-paradise.
potatolicious 15y ago
> "It is an eternal, guilt-free spring break, bankrolled by ad hoc projects and detachment from any forms of obligation." I stopped reading here. Where do I sign? > "This can be a legacy, or a company, or children, or a work of art, or essentially anything that outlasts the expiration of one's body and mind." I disagree completely that a legacy is a necessary component of having led a fulfilled life - even though I personally seek to leave behind some legacy myself. That said, how hasn't Ferris left a legacy? He's published something that's been read by more people than just about any of us would ever achieve in our lives, and that's at age 33. The best most of us can hope for is to influence a few people in the form of children. In my experience, "eye on the prize" styles of living is the surest way to miss out on all the flowers along the road.

jodrellblank 15y ago

What both of these philosophies seem to miss is that the self exists to create something enduring. Citation needed.

guylhem 15y ago

I'd dare say being with money but no purpose can be a curse. I have no proof to offer and some heirs and trust fund kids seems to be doing just fine, but I believe part of being human includes finding or having purpose - what you call something enduring. It can be a cause, a religion, a business, children, whatever - something! Maybe we are all different and some people are happy living a purposeless life. To me, what Ferris advocates seems a lot like waiting for death in the best shape possible, to leave a good looking cadaver behind. We are a different crowd here - as others replied, having less free time, they enjoy the hack provided in his book to get better health. Using his advice in this way, picking up interesting tidbits, to fix self-identified issues is one thing. But drinking the koolaid on the 4 hour work week and leaving the purpose to be defined to today's guru is totally different. IMHO, that's very close to the "lifestyle business" quite often promoted here, and it might be a reason why it's so well received. Yet it seems very wrong on so many levels. It's basically settling for a status quo, giving up on life and hope, trying to find some meager contentment in maintaining control over a self built prison-paradise.

potatolicious 15y ago

> "It is an eternal, guilt-free spring break, bankrolled by ad hoc projects and detachment from any forms of obligation." I stopped reading here. Where do I sign? > "This can be a legacy, or a company, or children, or a work of art, or essentially anything that outlasts the expiration of one's body and mind." I disagree completely that a legacy is a necessary component of having led a fulfilled life - even though I personally seek to leave behind some legacy myself. That said, how hasn't Ferris left a legacy? He's published something that's been read by more people than just about any of us would ever achieve in our lives, and that's at age 33. The best most of us can hope for is to influence a few people in the form of children. In my experience, "eye on the prize" styles of living is the surest way to miss out on all the flowers along the road.