Cycling UK Forum

patricktaylor wrote:glueman, do you know if these are one and the same book?

Fatboy has the answer. Speaking personally I made the decision to give up TV, though I watched two programmes over Christmas which makes it about 10 for 2008. I listen to the radio for about 3 hours a week max, mostly music on Radio 3. I try to stay out of any news loops though that's difficult with the internet being what it is. I consciously turn down news reports and adverts and have de-gadgeted my life, no bike computers, iPods, Blackberrys and the rest of the slave addictions. I thought I was just peculiar until I read James and Hodgkinson and realised people were thinking on similar lines.

I had the opportunity to follow a very well paid but completely intrusive career route some years ago and having made the decision to drop out and pursue personally set goals I'm happier and much less stressed and new 'career' paths have opened up but with me in the driving seat.

I find pathological busyness very weird and an unproductive way of living. Unfortunately cost of living in the last few years has turned people into wage slaves just to survive. Hopefully the economic slump might re-set a few people's compass and evaluate what's really important in life.

Thanks. I will read 'Affluenza' when I've finished reading 'Brunel - The Man Who Built The World' (Steven Brindle). Appropriate because Brunel, it seems, is "the epitome of the volcanic creative forces which brought about the Industrial Revolution - and brought modern society into being."

Edwards, I hope you feel better soon.

glueman wrote:I find pathological busyness very weird and an unproductive way of living. Unfortunately cost of living in the last few years has turned people into wage slaves just to survive. Hopefully the economic slump might re-set a few people's compass and evaluate what's really important in life.

It seems to me that keeping people in wage slavery is a key objective of government strategy rather than the result of cost of living.

The governments response to the economic slump has been principally to undermine any savings ethos that might allow people to pause and take stock and to encourage borrowing instead to keep people on the treadmill (and keep the fat cats in business).

Tom Richardson wrote:It seems to me that keeping people in wage slavery is a key objective of government strategy rather than the result of cost of living.

The governments response to the economic slump has been principally to undermine any savings ethos that might allow people to pause and take stock and to encourage borrowing instead to keep people on the treadmill (and keep the fat cats in business).

Yep, we are undergoing "economics of the madhouse".

Absolutely astonishing that there were no controls or contingency plans as asset prices and lending went beserk over a number of years.

"No more boom and bust" Eh? I suppose we get the leaders we deserve.

Anyone fancy organising a protest march ( for savers ), in the faint hope that that we can stop the government further punishing the responsible & prudent for consequences of the acts of the irresponsible & imprudent ??

Graham wrote:... a protest march ( for savers ), in the faint hope that that we can stop the government ...

Nothing will stop this government, but I'd be in favour of a protest bicycle ride on bikes at least twenty years old as a demonstration against the throwaway society. At least that would be fun. We could block the road completely.

Tom Richardson wrote:

glueman wrote:I find pathological busyness very weird and an unproductive way of living. Unfortunately cost of living in the last few years has turned people into wage slaves just to survive. Hopefully the economic slump might re-set a few people's compass and evaluate what's really important in life.

It seems to me that keeping people in wage slavery is a key objective of government strategy rather than the result of cost of living.

The governments response to the economic slump has been principally to undermine any savings ethos that might allow people to pause and take stock and to encourage borrowing instead to keep people on the treadmill (and keep the fat cats in business).

Very much so, it's depressing to re-read marx and find that everything is still pretty much the same (although i think people are too selfish for socialism to work as well). Guvverments need us all in debt so we carry on working to pay taxes and fund their wages and wars. The more stuff we buy, the more we have to knuckle down and conform...

I'd love to de-gadget, it was so liberating getting rid of my car but scary as well, they make you lazy, it feels so much easier to get in and whack the heater up on a cold morning, that is until you're trapped by a couple of inches of snow then stuck in traffic. I think the TV will be next, when the digital switchover happens i'll try to beat the addiction and not get a freeview box! I can watch Doctor Who, Top Gear and QI on the iplayer anyway...

Bertrand Russell's essay "In praise of idleness" is worth a read. There is an online version here.

Its great being busy, under pressure and making your own wage from your own creativity and hard work. I had enough of the wage slave thing and went freelance about 20 years ago. If you love what you do the thought of retiring and noodling about idling your days away seems really awful. There is too much early retirement and not enough experience everywhere - too many spotty clueless twerps about promoted way above their ability and experience. Halfords is the prime example. Bike hut!...more like Scout hut. We need more greybeards in our shops.

Lawrie9 wrote: If you love what you do the thought of retiring and noodling about idling your days away seems really awful.

Spotty 'erberts come a lot cheaper than skilled labour which is why there's so many about. I do agree on the above part though. If you like what you're doing the idea of packing it in at forced retirement is horrible.

How many people tell you they're looking forward to retirement then go downhill quick because they've lost focus? I reckon we should go on till 75 but take our 30s or 40s off for travelling while we've still got the energy and motivation. It's less enticing when our bits start to pack up!

How many people tell you they're looking forward to retirement then go downhill quick because they've lost focus? I reckon we should go on till 75 but take our 30s or 40s off for travelling while we've still got the energy and motivation. It's less enticing when our bits start to pack up!

That's certainly my plan Although I'm digging holes rather than travelling.

glueman wrote:I reckon we should go on till 75 but take our 30s or 40s off for travelling while we've still got the energy and motivation. It's less enticing when our bits start to pack up!

One of my many thoughts about my naval career is that I could have done with a sabbatical.

At the age of nearly 43, and after 26 years, I'd had enough, so I handed in my notice and left. I'd grown tired of service life, and as they were offering me a pension, the easiest thing was to go. So I went!

If I were to have been given a couple of years off (gardening leave?) at 40, then I would probably have returned completely rejuvenated, and served for many more years.

Like Mick F I also did 25 years in the Royal Navy and left because I had enough. After a short while I realized I had made a mistake and wish I had stayed till I was 55 years old, I would then have retired, a short break would have been refreshing. Now I work in a boring job that requires no thought; I could do it with my eyes closed.
Recently I have been through a life changing experience and have now seriously concidered packing up work and doing what I want to do; spend more time out on my bike.