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It's not really the same. If I pick a lifestyle for myself, that's not a judgment on other people's lifestyles. If I pick a lifestyle then start calling other p

It's not really the same. If I pick a lifestyle for myself, that's not a judgment on other people's lifestyles. If I pick a lifestyle then start calling other people wasteful, that is a judgment on others. Be it true or not, that rubs some people the wrong way. Personally I don't care if he judges me. He's living within a few tens of percent above the poverty line (based on his comments in this article). Of course the lifestyle of someone spending even $40k a year is going to seem wasteful to him.

tripzilch 14y ago
> Be it true or not, that rubs some people the wrong way. Huh? If it is true and it rubs some people the wrong way, is that bad? > He's living within a few tens of percent above the poverty line I'm not sure what living a few tens of percents above the poverty-line really means, unless you mean tenths of percents? Still, that is not what poverty is. There are more than enough people in the US living in actual poverty but I'm pretty sure this guy has it pretty good. This is because, and that is part of his message, that how good you have it in life is only in so far dependant on how much money you have to spend. It depends on all sorts of factors of relative wealth, of which he has collected a great amount in various ways.
- jamesaguilar 14y ago
  > Huh? If it is true and it rubs some people the wrong way, is that bad? Do you go around telling ugly people they are ugly? Fat people they are fat? Dummies they are dumb? Why not? Is it because it rubs them the wrong way, despite it being true? Is it wrong for them to feel that way, even if you are right? IMO it is neither wrong nor right to feel that way. It is just how you feel. > Tens of percent I meant tens of percent. According to the numbers he posted he's something like 20-30% above the poverty line. That's a few (3ish) tens of percent.
  - PKop 14y ago
    Is he indiscriminately leveling criticisms? Of characteristics people have no control over (ugly)? Or is he perhaps criticizing choices and behavior, of which people can change and pick and choose themselves? Hmm? Not a valid analogy you made there. Do people make value judgments about diet and exercise so as to help so called fat people get into better shape? All the time they do, yes. If I care about someone, and think they are making choices that are detrimental to themselves, I'll tell them. If you don't, because it may hurt their feelings, are you doing them a favor?
kragen 14y ago
Poverty isn't a consumption level; poverty is when you're on the edge of losing everything.
- jamesaguilar 14y ago
  I appreciate that you have your own personal definition. Mine is the one the US government uses.
  - Evbn 14y ago
    The govt definition is income, not spending.
  - kragen 14y ago
    Fortunately, despite your apparent wishes, you do not yet live in an authoritarian regime where the meaning of words is defined by the government. I recommend you switch to using the definition used by other speakers of English so you can participate productively in conversations about the issue.
salvadors 14y ago
Income is only a part of the picture when it comes to poverty. Assets count too. Not having to pay rent or a mortgage because you own your house outright makes a significant difference, for example. Most people could have higher disposable income on a much lower salary if they didn't have to meet rent/mortgage, make car payments, service historic debts, etc.

tripzilch 14y ago

> Be it true or not, that rubs some people the wrong way. Huh? If it is true and it rubs some people the wrong way, is that bad? > He's living within a few tens of percent above the poverty line I'm not sure what living a few tens of percents above the poverty-line really means, unless you mean tenths of percents? Still, that is not what poverty is. There are more than enough people in the US living in actual poverty but I'm pretty sure this guy has it pretty good. This is because, and that is part of his message, that how good you have it in life is only in so far dependant on how much money you have to spend. It depends on all sorts of factors of relative wealth, of which he has collected a great amount in various ways.

jamesaguilar 14y ago
> Huh? If it is true and it rubs some people the wrong way, is that bad? Do you go around telling ugly people they are ugly? Fat people they are fat? Dummies they are dumb? Why not? Is it because it rubs them the wrong way, despite it being true? Is it wrong for them to feel that way, even if you are right? IMO it is neither wrong nor right to feel that way. It is just how you feel. > Tens of percent I meant tens of percent. According to the numbers he posted he's something like 20-30% above the poverty line. That's a few (3ish) tens of percent.
- PKop 14y ago
  Is he indiscriminately leveling criticisms? Of characteristics people have no control over (ugly)? Or is he perhaps criticizing choices and behavior, of which people can change and pick and choose themselves? Hmm? Not a valid analogy you made there. Do people make value judgments about diet and exercise so as to help so called fat people get into better shape? All the time they do, yes. If I care about someone, and think they are making choices that are detrimental to themselves, I'll tell them. If you don't, because it may hurt their feelings, are you doing them a favor?

kragen 14y ago

Poverty isn't a consumption level; poverty is when you're on the edge of losing everything.

jamesaguilar 14y ago
I appreciate that you have your own personal definition. Mine is the one the US government uses.
- Evbn 14y ago
  The govt definition is income, not spending.
- kragen 14y ago
  Fortunately, despite your apparent wishes, you do not yet live in an authoritarian regime where the meaning of words is defined by the government. I recommend you switch to using the definition used by other speakers of English so you can participate productively in conversations about the issue.

salvadors 14y ago

Income is only a part of the picture when it comes to poverty. Assets count too. Not having to pay rent or a mortgage because you own your house outright makes a significant difference, for example. Most people could have higher disposable income on a much lower salary if they didn't have to meet rent/mortgage, make car payments, service historic debts, etc.