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Comment by throwawaynov20 | Hacker News Reader

I am doing that and have been donating both time and money to various causes but it is not something that brings me inherent joy. I am just living each day as it comes, but this is nowhere close to the fanatic/adrenaline filled goal driven days I have lived.

moreover, I don't even indulge in anything expensive, so I don't even feel motivated to earn more money or spend it.

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So you're the next one in line to learn that what they say is true: money doesn't buy happiness. The sweet things in life are all the things you sacrificed in the process of re-making yourself in the image of the machine you built and are part of. Get the fuck out of the bay area and start over as an artist and mystic, or just hang out with some. Find a wife among ordinary people and make babies like some blissful idiot. Learn a musical instrument. I dunno. Do things hippies say to do. The purpose of life seems to be life itself, so you would at least be making more lives, or making existing ones more pleasant. Care about others intrinsically for no reason, and most will care about you. That's all anybody wants, is to be cared for and loved. Thus far you only cared about accumulating money (or that's the only care you acted on) and anyone who cares about you probably cares only because of that, even if only as an example so they can learn how to accumulate money too. It's what you've been about, thus far, and have dedicated your life to, thus far. Congratulations on being an expert in something but now you should be a beginner.

this is good advice and this:

> anyone who cares about you probably cares only because of that, even if only as an example so they can learn how to accumulate money too.

should best be interpreted as a perspective and not a character assessment.

Absolutely. Just saying, if that's where you focus your energy, that's what'll get attention.

I'm not qualified to give spiritual guidance. You may need some years to recover from the grind that got you where you are today. my personal path of self-discovery has been fulfilling but I wouldn't say it brought me joy (yet). if you miss the adrenaline perhaps you would enjoy a competitive activity like sports or chess.

> I don't even indulge in anything expensive, so I don't even feel motivated to earn more money or spend it.

Thats probably healthy.

NewGame+. Apply the same processes of your success (minus harder sacrifices that take a toll) to a cause/goal that moves you. Doors can probably be opened much faster with your previous success and wealth, but you can just aim for a harder area to break into, or a higher impact outcome.

Can't you just pick a more ambitious goal? Like world domination? :^)

Thats a crowded, competitive space. He would risk losing what he has gained so far.

Indeed. But to be frank, I think he's lost something much more important.

Besides, he's already demonstrated he's capable of flourishing when risks are present.

I don't think the space is that crowded; who do you think is legitimately trying to establish order? It seems like the majority of the western ruling class are a bunch of old people merely trying to have a bit of fun before they die.

> But to be frank, I think he's lost something much more important.

Please continue.

> he's already demonstrated he's capable of flourishing when risks are present.

That is an excellent point.

> who do you think is legitimately trying to establish order?

I'm not sure how to go about answering this, I think the space is as crowded as its going to be because people who are more competent push out and make irrelevant people who are less relevant.

> It seems like the majority of the western ruling class are a bunch of old people merely trying to have a bit of fun before they die.

Personally I cannot think of anything more boring than a meeting of the EU Parliament, the UN, US Congress, or the CCP.

> Please continue.

I think that a loss in purpose is worse than a loss in material wealth. I'm a scrappy student working on a startup I believe in, and I would not trade places with the successful entrepreneur.

I have fun climbing mountains. So does he. I have plenty of mountains to climb, while he's surrounded by the fog and believes he has no other mountains to climb. Ergo, I'm having fun while he believes he'll never have fun again.

> That is an excellent point.

Thank you.

> Personally I cannot think of anything more boring than a meeting of the EU Parliament, the UN, US Congress, or the CCP.

I never stated they have good taste :P

In all seriousness, I wouldn't really consider politicians the ruling class. Now, I'm not an expert on this topic, but I'd wager that the billionaire entrepreneurs have more power than the US senators being paid a measly $200K/year. Suppose they have a little side-hustle and make 1M/year; that's still peanuts.

> I think that a loss in purpose is worse than a loss in material wealth.

I agree and thank you for sharing your perspective.

> In all seriousness, I wouldn't really consider politicians the ruling class. Now, I'm not an expert on this topic, but I'd wager that the billionaire entrepreneurs have more power than the US senators being paid a measly $200K/year. Suppose they have a little side-hustle and make 1M/year; that's still peanuts.

Thats true but they are part of a powerful decision making body. The people who tell them what to do are a more exclusive group. And some senators somehow end up worth $100mm, that money comes from somewhere and they don't make it by accident.

> I agree and thank you for sharing your perspective.

You're welcome

> The people who tell them what to do are a more exclusive group.

That's what I consider the ruling class. Based on my rudimentary observations, I'm unsure whether such people truly want to impose some sort of order, or are just striving to maximize their quarterly revenue. Of course, there are exceptions like the CCP.

I'm a bit sleepy so I will be going to bed, good night o/

It was nice talking to you

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