Comments on: Why This Minimalist Life Has No Manual http://www.farbeyondthestars.com/why-this-minimalist-life-has-no-manual/ Augmented Humanity, Second Selves, and Cybernetic Yoga Fri, 11 Feb 2011 18:03:11 -0500 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: jsfinallygettingtoeven http://www.farbeyondthestars.com/why-this-minimalist-life-has-no-manual/comment-page-1/#comment-3363 jsfinallygettingtoeven Tue, 18 May 2010 01:31:38 +0000 http://www.farbeyondthestars.com/?p=1505#comment-3363 I have been following your blog for a few months now and i just have to start by saying that i think you are fascinating (imagine a minimalist being such)....and i am sure you have heard it all plenty of times before so here's another...<br><br>While i am still in the early stages of this lifestyle and i doubt that i will ever get down to 100 or less posessions (i have a husband that would create too much a fuss) anyway, i enjoy living my life through your words and thoughts....i know if i were single i could completely embrace this lifestyle and spend the rest of my years extensively traveling the world....<br><br>But in the meantime i will live my life of frugal existance with the minimal posessions for ME (which is alot more than 100 but much much less than you would ever see in the average home)...to others not understanding-- i am already living as a minimalist. <br><br>I know there is no manual...there is no manual for life in general...we just embrace a lifestyle and live it to the best of our ability...it's the best we can hope for.<br><br>Keep up the great blog....and thanks for some really interesting reading.<br><a href="mailto:jan@finallygettingtoeven.wordpress.com" rel="nofollow">jan@finallygettingtoeven.wordpress.com</a><br> (yes, i am a freshly-minted newbie to the world of blogging) I have been following your blog for a few months now and i just have to start by saying that i think you are fascinating (imagine a minimalist being such)….and i am sure you have heard it all plenty of times before so here's another…

While i am still in the early stages of this lifestyle and i doubt that i will ever get down to 100 or less posessions (i have a husband that would create too much a fuss) anyway, i enjoy living my life through your words and thoughts….i know if i were single i could completely embrace this lifestyle and spend the rest of my years extensively traveling the world….

But in the meantime i will live my life of frugal existance with the minimal posessions for ME (which is alot more than 100 but much much less than you would ever see in the average home)…to others not understanding– i am already living as a minimalist.

I know there is no manual…there is no manual for life in general…we just embrace a lifestyle and live it to the best of our ability…it's the best we can hope for.

Keep up the great blog….and thanks for some really interesting reading.
jan@finallygettingtoeven.wordpress.com
(yes, i am a freshly-minted newbie to the world of blogging)

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By: Palmdalehermit http://www.farbeyondthestars.com/why-this-minimalist-life-has-no-manual/comment-page-1/#comment-3235 Palmdalehermit Mon, 03 May 2010 04:13:57 +0000 http://www.farbeyondthestars.com/?p=1505#comment-3235 Kate you said something very important. As it now stands are bodies do get old and we need more of a support net to make things work. While I'm definitely into the idea that we as a people might very wish to say good by to the notion of needing to have everything that the idiot box proclaims we need. I must admit as a disabled person from birth and having volunteered for a number years working with adults and kids who are severely retarded and autistic I don't see how they can fit ( I mean mesh in the post industrial world). Not that they mesh well now. Personally I miss some the people I worked with they were themselves. No false face what you saw was what you got. <br><br>There is another point the Leo's wonderful Utopian dream has me scratching my head is the library concept. Don't get me wrong I love book libraries and have since I was a kid. Now most of his ideas like clothe libraries and tool libraries I can visualize. But how would a housing library function. I would be curious to see such and interesting and non conventional approach the housing problem.<br><br>To all hear Peace <br><br>P.S. I'm just starting on this blogging and social network thing. I apologize for the apparent double post yesterday. Heck I'm not all that good at conventional socializing hehehehe<br><br>Once again Peace and thanks for the interesting thoughts. Kate you said something very important. As it now stands are bodies do get old and we need more of a support net to make things work. While I'm definitely into the idea that we as a people might very wish to say good by to the notion of needing to have everything that the idiot box proclaims we need. I must admit as a disabled person from birth and having volunteered for a number years working with adults and kids who are severely retarded and autistic I don't see how they can fit ( I mean mesh in the post industrial world). Not that they mesh well now. Personally I miss some the people I worked with they were themselves. No false face what you saw was what you got.

There is another point the Leo's wonderful Utopian dream has me scratching my head is the library concept. Don't get me wrong I love book libraries and have since I was a kid. Now most of his ideas like clothe libraries and tool libraries I can visualize. But how would a housing library function. I would be curious to see such and interesting and non conventional approach the housing problem.

To all hear Peace

P.S. I'm just starting on this blogging and social network thing. I apologize for the apparent double post yesterday. Heck I'm not all that good at conventional socializing hehehehe

Once again Peace and thanks for the interesting thoughts.

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By: Simple Living News Update http://www.farbeyondthestars.com/why-this-minimalist-life-has-no-manual/comment-page-1/#comment-3195 Simple Living News Update Mon, 26 Apr 2010 14:03:44 +0000 http://www.farbeyondthestars.com/?p=1505#comment-3195 [...] Why This Minimalist Life Has No Manual [...] [...] Why This Minimalist Life Has No Manual [...]

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By: From This Day Forth, I Live As a Minimalist | HiLife2B http://www.farbeyondthestars.com/why-this-minimalist-life-has-no-manual/comment-page-1/#comment-3184 From This Day Forth, I Live As a Minimalist | HiLife2B Mon, 26 Apr 2010 05:05:49 +0000 http://www.farbeyondthestars.com/?p=1505#comment-3184 [...] such as Leo Babauta, Jeffrey Tang, and Everett Bogue have had a part in making me realize that I really don’t need as much as I think I do. [...] [...] such as Leo Babauta, Jeffrey Tang, and Everett Bogue have had a part in making me realize that I really don’t need as much as I think I do. [...]

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By: Richard Shelmerdine http://www.farbeyondthestars.com/why-this-minimalist-life-has-no-manual/comment-page-1/#comment-3162 Richard Shelmerdine Sun, 25 Apr 2010 09:11:13 +0000 http://www.farbeyondthestars.com/?p=1505#comment-3162 So true, all of it. I'm really connecting with these posts recently. Following a guide is basically like saying "someone else has created the rules and I'm not creative enough to live on my own terms". Say that out loud and it sounds so wussified. We're amazing human beings with infinite creativity and we are collectively better than that. So true, all of it. I'm really connecting with these posts recently. Following a guide is basically like saying “someone else has created the rules and I'm not creative enough to live on my own terms”. Say that out loud and it sounds so wussified. We're amazing human beings with infinite creativity and we are collectively better than that.

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By: We Live Simply link love | we live simply :: learning to live simply so others may simply live http://www.farbeyondthestars.com/why-this-minimalist-life-has-no-manual/comment-page-1/#comment-3145 We Live Simply link love | we live simply :: learning to live simply so others may simply live Fri, 23 Apr 2010 11:59:59 +0000 http://www.farbeyondthestars.com/?p=1505#comment-3145 [...] :: Why This Minimalist Life Has No Manual What Desmond Tutu Knows About Thinking Small The “Do What You Love” Show: Episode 3 – [...] [...] :: Why This Minimalist Life Has No Manual What Desmond Tutu Knows About Thinking Small The “Do What You Love” Show: Episode 3 – [...]

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By: Kate http://www.farbeyondthestars.com/why-this-minimalist-life-has-no-manual/comment-page-1/#comment-3079 Kate Tue, 20 Apr 2010 22:56:40 +0000 http://www.farbeyondthestars.com/?p=1505#comment-3079 That is an interesting idea. It sounds like communism or a kind of cultism society which always makes me squirm. However it has been shown to work in other places before. Are you familiar with the kibbutz in Israel? In 1927 they were started by Zionist Jewish immigrants coming from Europe who had socialist ideals. The Kibbutz is a society based on common ownership where means of production, consumption and decision making is all done as a group. It is the largest form of communism and it's basically communism which actually works. The people have very little and live together in small apartment style homes in a secured community, but they have a small grocery store within their kibbutz with everything they need. With the conflict between the Arabs and the Jews it is also a protective mechanism to live close together. And the kibbutz's in the Negev are great for survival with the lack of water and resources that they have there. <br><br>Just something you might be interested in... That is an interesting idea. It sounds like communism or a kind of cultism society which always makes me squirm. However it has been shown to work in other places before. Are you familiar with the kibbutz in Israel? In 1927 they were started by Zionist Jewish immigrants coming from Europe who had socialist ideals. The Kibbutz is a society based on common ownership where means of production, consumption and decision making is all done as a group. It is the largest form of communism and it's basically communism which actually works. The people have very little and live together in small apartment style homes in a secured community, but they have a small grocery store within their kibbutz with everything they need. With the conflict between the Arabs and the Jews it is also a protective mechanism to live close together. And the kibbutz's in the Negev are great for survival with the lack of water and resources that they have there.

Just something you might be interested in…

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By: Everett Bogue http://www.farbeyondthestars.com/why-this-minimalist-life-has-no-manual/comment-page-1/#comment-3077 Everett Bogue Tue, 20 Apr 2010 20:18:13 +0000 http://www.farbeyondthestars.com/?p=1505#comment-3077 These are great thoughts, thanks Kate!<br><br>I think it's realistic to assume that a society of minimalists would need a lot less infrastructure to support them than the current one. <br><br>We'd build our houses so they were closer to the super market, so we wouldn't buy so much fuel.<br><br>We wouldn't have to work 60 hours a week, because we wouldn't be under this mistaken impression that time equals money (which is what the rat race you mentioned is based on.) <br><br>We wouldn't buy so much junk, and giant houses, just because society told us that was what we were supposed to do.<br><br>It'd be great! These are great thoughts, thanks Kate!

I think it's realistic to assume that a society of minimalists would need a lot less infrastructure to support them than the current one.

We'd build our houses so they were closer to the super market, so we wouldn't buy so much fuel.

We wouldn't have to work 60 hours a week, because we wouldn't be under this mistaken impression that time equals money (which is what the rat race you mentioned is based on.)

We wouldn't buy so much junk, and giant houses, just because society told us that was what we were supposed to do.

It'd be great!

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By: Kate http://www.farbeyondthestars.com/why-this-minimalist-life-has-no-manual/comment-page-1/#comment-3074 Kate Tue, 20 Apr 2010 19:49:53 +0000 http://www.farbeyondthestars.com/?p=1505#comment-3074 Sounds like a utopian society. Sign me up! I'm exhausted of the competition and the responsibility of the adult life. I'm curious how a society like that would work though. If we all became minimalists, who would support us all? It sounds a bit like the transcendentalism which emerged in the mid 19th century with Thoreau and Emerson. There must be more to life than trying to escape from it. And shouldn't there be something to be said about being responsible and being able to provide for your family and your future grandchildren someday? The whole American rat race is exhausting but wouldn't it be better for the future generations to look back and say, "It was because of my Grandfather's hard work that I have had the chance to work hard and get an education and provide for my family." Look at history. What happened to societies when they became lazy and apathetic?<br><br>If you make your life's goal the corporate world, that seems like a very depressing life. There is nothing that drives you to succeed besides greed and the desire to be better than those around you. However, if your motive is to save, provide for your family and be an upstanding citizen I can't think of many things that would be more rewarding. Being free and following your dreams is cool now, but what about when you're 50, still depending on other people to support you, are no longer young and cool and have nothing to show for your life? Will that be a time to look back at your life and say, "I followed my dreams. I am content"?<br><br>Just some thoughts.... Sounds like a utopian society. Sign me up! I'm exhausted of the competition and the responsibility of the adult life. I'm curious how a society like that would work though. If we all became minimalists, who would support us all? It sounds a bit like the transcendentalism which emerged in the mid 19th century with Thoreau and Emerson. There must be more to life than trying to escape from it. And shouldn't there be something to be said about being responsible and being able to provide for your family and your future grandchildren someday? The whole American rat race is exhausting but wouldn't it be better for the future generations to look back and say, “It was because of my Grandfather's hard work that I have had the chance to work hard and get an education and provide for my family.” Look at history. What happened to societies when they became lazy and apathetic?

If you make your life's goal the corporate world, that seems like a very depressing life. There is nothing that drives you to succeed besides greed and the desire to be better than those around you. However, if your motive is to save, provide for your family and be an upstanding citizen I can't think of many things that would be more rewarding. Being free and following your dreams is cool now, but what about when you're 50, still depending on other people to support you, are no longer young and cool and have nothing to show for your life? Will that be a time to look back at your life and say, “I followed my dreams. I am content”?

Just some thoughts….

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By: Kate http://www.farbeyondthestars.com/why-this-minimalist-life-has-no-manual/comment-page-1/#comment-3075 Kate Tue, 20 Apr 2010 19:46:35 +0000 http://www.farbeyondthestars.com/?p=1505#comment-3075 Sounds like a utopian society. Sign me up! I'm exhausted of the competition and the responsibility of the adult life. I'm curious how a society like that would work though. If we all became minimalists, who would support us all? It sounds a bit like the transcendentalism which emerged in the mid 19th century with Thoreau and Emerson. There must be more to life than trying to escape from it. And shouldn't there be something to be said about being responsible and being able to provide for your family and your future grandchildren someday? The whole American rat race is exhausting but wouldn't it be better for the future generations to look back and say, "It was because of my Grandfather's hard work that I have had the chance to work hard and get an education and provide for my family." Look at history. What happened to societies when they became lazy and apathetic?<br><br>If you make your life's goal the corporate world, that seems like a very depressing life. There is nothing that drives you to succeed besides greed and the desire to be better than those around you. However, if your motive is to save, provide for your family and be an upstanding citizen I can't think of many things that would be more rewarding. Being free and following your dreams is cool now, but what about when you're 50, still depending on other people to support you, are no longer young and cool and have nothing to show for your life? Will that be a time to look back at your life and say, "I followed my dreams. I am content"?<br><br>Just some thoughts.... Sounds like a utopian society. Sign me up! I'm exhausted of the competition and the responsibility of the adult life. I'm curious how a society like that would work though. If we all became minimalists, who would support us all? It sounds a bit like the transcendentalism which emerged in the mid 19th century with Thoreau and Emerson. There must be more to life than trying to escape from it. And shouldn't there be something to be said about being responsible and being able to provide for your family and your future grandchildren someday? The whole American rat race is exhausting but wouldn't it be better for the future generations to look back and say, “It was because of my Grandfather's hard work that I have had the chance to work hard and get an education and provide for my family.” Look at history. What happened to societies when they became lazy and apathetic?

If you make your life's goal the corporate world, that seems like a very depressing life. There is nothing that drives you to succeed besides greed and the desire to be better than those around you. However, if your motive is to save, provide for your family and be an upstanding citizen I can't think of many things that would be more rewarding. Being free and following your dreams is cool now, but what about when you're 50, still depending on other people to support you, are no longer young and cool and have nothing to show for your life? Will that be a time to look back at your life and say, “I followed my dreams. I am content”?

Just some thoughts….

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