I’ve been rewarded for hard work and for the opportunity to earn, achieve, and sometimes win. I may not have had much formal education, and some may judge my intelligence because of that, but life taught me lessons no classroom ever could.
As a young boy, because of my family’s financial difficulties, I decided that work was more important than school. And work I did…often 70 to 100 hours a week for much of my life. I loved it, and I was deeply grateful that I had the health, freedom, and opportunity to do it.
God is good. 🙏
Now, in the sunset phase of my life, I look back on this incredible journey…my wonderful family, my dear friends, the people I’ve met, the work I’ve done, the successes and failures…and I’m overwhelmed with gratitude. I wouldn’t trade the journey.
My thoughts and prayers also go out to those around the world who were never given the same opportunity, people born into systems where individual freedom, ambition, faith, enterprise, or the ability to determine their own future are severely restricted.
This is why freedom means so much to me. I believe people flourish when they are given the opportunity to earn…work, dream, build, fail, try again, and discover just how much they are capable of becoming. To live…
We can debate politics and economic systems, but it really isn’t debate. One system works for freedom over all others. I will always believe in the dignity of work, individual liberty, personal responsibility, and the freedom to pursue a better life.
I was given that opportunity.
And looking back now, I realize just how blessed I was to have it.
Oh, and one more thing: I cherish “leaden skies.” Call me somber, but I find overcast and stormy days inspirational. They provide an atmosphere for contemplation, and perhaps a reason to anticipate the coming of a sunnier time.
Pondering how the words we use express who we are is endlessly fascinating. For example, in my new book I make a long list of words and phrases that have come into common usage just since the 1960s. Here's a very abbreviated list. Imagine if you could go back 60 years and ask any reasonably intelligent person to define these terms: neoliberalism, identity politics, intersectionality, critical race theory, woke, cancel culture, toxic masculinity, post-truth, influencer, deep fakes, manosphere, microaggression, trigger warning, social justice warrior, trad wife, gig economy, virtue signaling. Good luck with that....
similarly, when I was a 5th grade literature teacher I had to explain words like telegraph, phonograph, chalk boards (or black boards), photo negatives, and the word "gay" totally brought snickers to 5th graders where it was meant to mean happy.
My Spanish is limited to dos tacos and una cerveza. So I found your opening fascinating. I have heard that English is best suited for legal type documents because the language is so precise. Now I'm very interested in learning more about this subject. Thanks.
Yes, I also found that very funny when I learned that while I was living in Panama.
It seems that technically the singular esposa is A singular wife, but the plural esposas suddenly become handcuffs, for expected reasons. It reveals the deep humor hidden in the Spanish language.
They also have an expression, "el juego de la vida", the game of life, which pertains to many things, including that 'gaining/winning' connection.
It implies that just working and living in general are both games, which is hard to deny, since they are both certainly competitive, and full of games.
I like all you write about. We all try to join a gang of like minded people. I feel honored to find my gang. Members of this gang include you and other wise and intelligent people. Stupid is not allowed in this gang. Being "stupid" does not make them bad but they could not join this gang.
No surprise that an ill-informed idiot like Karl Marx was completely stupefied, as he always wrote from the perspective of winners vs losers. Thus, he never saw a win-win trade in his life; it was always about somebody losing.
Interesting times. Here's a reply from a post that I made yesterday. Might be a little off topic but relevant nonetheless:
Figure out how to exist without currency and everything falls apart for the entire oligarchy. Declare explicitly that humanity cannot survive another day using the imaginary life source. It's so simple therefore nobody realizes that the true medium of exchange, reserve currency, and store of value is actually themselves (people). And the natural resources that nature provides - freely and sometimes requires understanding, imagination and effort to solve and sustain. Tokens (money) are infact is merely an imaginary "control mechanism". For example: you put a pile of money on the table. If you command it to produce or transform; It doesn't turn into a meal.
Additionally, it's the illusion of freedom through money accumulation. That drives productivity and keeps humanity enslaved by the actual money creators and their parasitical over sophisticated and complicated economic architecture. It's a fools game. In actuality; more money means more problems for the average. By design. Complacency of the financially comfortable. Perpetuates the eternal suffering for the many others living paycheck to paycheck.
Another example if you're still convinced that money is actually good; is if money was utilized "properly":
Let's imagine for the sake of argument that labor rates keep lockstep with rising costs of living and inflation (manufactured entropy). Taxation, manipulation and usury is illegal. The punishment is death of that entity entirely. And when investing or lending with private or public ventures - our money didn't lose any of it's "principal" - a common law. Regardless of any drop in profit disaster or the price drop of the securities or shares owned. All of that burden is the responsibility of the business owner, employers and makers of that product or service to reimburse the people with the same or equal equity. In order to comply with using other people's money. This infact discourages borrowing and debt is the risk rather than a feature. Banks: must pay the fees, equity and interest and percentage of capital gains to the depositors. When/if they want to use other people's money as a means of either: equity pooling or any other asset acquisition based upon borrowing.
For congress, at least 10 years jail time and monetary fines for insider trading, term limits, and age limits (maybe 70). To deal with endless wars, declared or NOT, how about drafting men between ages on 40 and 50. That would be a great way to reduce the number of lobbyist
Each language (and culture as a derivative thereof) could be seen as a lens to view and evaluate Life? A very interesting foreword in your example of "ganar" ... !
Very well said Steve L , I too have lived a life very similar to yourself and can now reflect on how good luck is followed by hard work. Growing up in Australia i didn’t realise at the time that the freedoms afforded contributed so much to the positive impact on society.
I listened to The Notes. Who is that voice? I did think it was Dan Denning, but it is pervasive on Substack. I listen more.
The wispy words make my thoughts turn pessimistic. I am old; “When you are young you will bound up your belt and go where you will; when old they will bound you and take you where you would rather not go.”
This great, modern enterprise called Capitalism does produce winners and losers, especially in the US. Whiteness the homelessness only half school children literate.
All swept under the rug, ignored; the mass of subhumans increasing, the stupid.
It is like The Pit and the Pendulum, the large blade swinging lower and lower in a dark tomb.
Everyone divorced from any tangible means of production, at the mercy of oligarchs and bureaucrats.
Bonner would call it the Great Reset.
The most stupid, seem to be, the ones lost in the hubris of their greatness.
Joel, in todays essay you talked about win-lose.Having Free markets, Free minds and Free people is a win-win scenario ( as proven in Pres. Milei's and the People's expierement in Argentina) and it is working. The governments, corporations,politicians and the minds of excess greed needed, are becoming yesterday's welfare state. thanks
Had me wondering about the handcuffs, not so sinister after all!
"The Spanish word esposa (wife) comes from the Latin sponsa, meaning a betrothed or promised woman, derived from spondere, meaning "to promise" or "to pledge". Interestingly, the plural form esposas also means "handcuffs", a dual meaning born from a metaphorical link to being bound together or joined as a pair."
Yes, Joel, what a blessing my life has been.
I’ve been rewarded for hard work and for the opportunity to earn, achieve, and sometimes win. I may not have had much formal education, and some may judge my intelligence because of that, but life taught me lessons no classroom ever could.
As a young boy, because of my family’s financial difficulties, I decided that work was more important than school. And work I did…often 70 to 100 hours a week for much of my life. I loved it, and I was deeply grateful that I had the health, freedom, and opportunity to do it.
God is good. 🙏
Now, in the sunset phase of my life, I look back on this incredible journey…my wonderful family, my dear friends, the people I’ve met, the work I’ve done, the successes and failures…and I’m overwhelmed with gratitude. I wouldn’t trade the journey.
My thoughts and prayers also go out to those around the world who were never given the same opportunity, people born into systems where individual freedom, ambition, faith, enterprise, or the ability to determine their own future are severely restricted.
This is why freedom means so much to me. I believe people flourish when they are given the opportunity to earn…work, dream, build, fail, try again, and discover just how much they are capable of becoming. To live…
We can debate politics and economic systems, but it really isn’t debate. One system works for freedom over all others. I will always believe in the dignity of work, individual liberty, personal responsibility, and the freedom to pursue a better life.
I was given that opportunity.
And looking back now, I realize just how blessed I was to have it.
God is good. 🙏
Oh, and one more thing: I cherish “leaden skies.” Call me somber, but I find overcast and stormy days inspirational. They provide an atmosphere for contemplation, and perhaps a reason to anticipate the coming of a sunnier time.
Pondering how the words we use express who we are is endlessly fascinating. For example, in my new book I make a long list of words and phrases that have come into common usage just since the 1960s. Here's a very abbreviated list. Imagine if you could go back 60 years and ask any reasonably intelligent person to define these terms: neoliberalism, identity politics, intersectionality, critical race theory, woke, cancel culture, toxic masculinity, post-truth, influencer, deep fakes, manosphere, microaggression, trigger warning, social justice warrior, trad wife, gig economy, virtue signaling. Good luck with that....
similarly, when I was a 5th grade literature teacher I had to explain words like telegraph, phonograph, chalk boards (or black boards), photo negatives, and the word "gay" totally brought snickers to 5th graders where it was meant to mean happy.
point well taken....
In Vietnamese the word hay, depending on pronunciation can be
a brothel
the conjunction "or"
a temple
Only a married yet brave man would have included the one about ones spouse.
Since the meaning in Spanish can change with inflection I hope you inflected properly or
I hope you are healing quickly!
... Very brave 😁
My Spanish is limited to dos tacos and una cerveza. So I found your opening fascinating. I have heard that English is best suited for legal type documents because the language is so precise. Now I'm very interested in learning more about this subject. Thanks.
I didn't know handcuffs were the same word as wife (wives). I think that is pretty funny.
Yes, I also found that very funny when I learned that while I was living in Panama.
It seems that technically the singular esposa is A singular wife, but the plural esposas suddenly become handcuffs, for expected reasons. It reveals the deep humor hidden in the Spanish language.
They also have an expression, "el juego de la vida", the game of life, which pertains to many things, including that 'gaining/winning' connection.
It implies that just working and living in general are both games, which is hard to deny, since they are both certainly competitive, and full of games.
Your opening remarks are exactly why I follow, read, enjoy, and pay for your thoughts.
I agree with you, you put it very well, Joel is a very engaging writer ...
Joel,
I like all you write about. We all try to join a gang of like minded people. I feel honored to find my gang. Members of this gang include you and other wise and intelligent people. Stupid is not allowed in this gang. Being "stupid" does not make them bad but they could not join this gang.
No surprise that an ill-informed idiot like Karl Marx was completely stupefied, as he always wrote from the perspective of winners vs losers. Thus, he never saw a win-win trade in his life; it was always about somebody losing.
Interesting times. Here's a reply from a post that I made yesterday. Might be a little off topic but relevant nonetheless:
Figure out how to exist without currency and everything falls apart for the entire oligarchy. Declare explicitly that humanity cannot survive another day using the imaginary life source. It's so simple therefore nobody realizes that the true medium of exchange, reserve currency, and store of value is actually themselves (people). And the natural resources that nature provides - freely and sometimes requires understanding, imagination and effort to solve and sustain. Tokens (money) are infact is merely an imaginary "control mechanism". For example: you put a pile of money on the table. If you command it to produce or transform; It doesn't turn into a meal.
Additionally, it's the illusion of freedom through money accumulation. That drives productivity and keeps humanity enslaved by the actual money creators and their parasitical over sophisticated and complicated economic architecture. It's a fools game. In actuality; more money means more problems for the average. By design. Complacency of the financially comfortable. Perpetuates the eternal suffering for the many others living paycheck to paycheck.
Another example if you're still convinced that money is actually good; is if money was utilized "properly":
Let's imagine for the sake of argument that labor rates keep lockstep with rising costs of living and inflation (manufactured entropy). Taxation, manipulation and usury is illegal. The punishment is death of that entity entirely. And when investing or lending with private or public ventures - our money didn't lose any of it's "principal" - a common law. Regardless of any drop in profit disaster or the price drop of the securities or shares owned. All of that burden is the responsibility of the business owner, employers and makers of that product or service to reimburse the people with the same or equal equity. In order to comply with using other people's money. This infact discourages borrowing and debt is the risk rather than a feature. Banks: must pay the fees, equity and interest and percentage of capital gains to the depositors. When/if they want to use other people's money as a means of either: equity pooling or any other asset acquisition based upon borrowing.
Flip the script.
Get the picture?
For congress, at least 10 years jail time and monetary fines for insider trading, term limits, and age limits (maybe 70). To deal with endless wars, declared or NOT, how about drafting men between ages on 40 and 50. That would be a great way to reduce the number of lobbyist
Each language (and culture as a derivative thereof) could be seen as a lens to view and evaluate Life? A very interesting foreword in your example of "ganar" ... !
Language is transmitted through the quantity and quality of its writers.
'Gain' comes to us through the Old French substantive 'Gaaigner' which in turn is derived from an Old High German word for forage, pasture and graze.
Borges used it "tiene que ganar su amistad".
Plenty of win-win there.
Very well said Steve L , I too have lived a life very similar to yourself and can now reflect on how good luck is followed by hard work. Growing up in Australia i didn’t realise at the time that the freedoms afforded contributed so much to the positive impact on society.
Yes Noel, and unfortunately, we were both afforded the assaults on those freedoms, and the negative effects on all societies.
I listened to The Notes. Who is that voice? I did think it was Dan Denning, but it is pervasive on Substack. I listen more.
The wispy words make my thoughts turn pessimistic. I am old; “When you are young you will bound up your belt and go where you will; when old they will bound you and take you where you would rather not go.”
This great, modern enterprise called Capitalism does produce winners and losers, especially in the US. Whiteness the homelessness only half school children literate.
All swept under the rug, ignored; the mass of subhumans increasing, the stupid.
It is like The Pit and the Pendulum, the large blade swinging lower and lower in a dark tomb.
Everyone divorced from any tangible means of production, at the mercy of oligarchs and bureaucrats.
Bonner would call it the Great Reset.
The most stupid, seem to be, the ones lost in the hubris of their greatness.
Joel, in todays essay you talked about win-lose.Having Free markets, Free minds and Free people is a win-win scenario ( as proven in Pres. Milei's and the People's expierement in Argentina) and it is working. The governments, corporations,politicians and the minds of excess greed needed, are becoming yesterday's welfare state. thanks
Had me wondering about the handcuffs, not so sinister after all!
"The Spanish word esposa (wife) comes from the Latin sponsa, meaning a betrothed or promised woman, derived from spondere, meaning "to promise" or "to pledge". Interestingly, the plural form esposas also means "handcuffs", a dual meaning born from a metaphorical link to being bound together or joined as a pair."