I like the story, but I feel it's important to mention that the authors stated opinion on Karma is terrifying.
Karma is essentially the worst sort of belief, in that superficially it seems to reward good behavior and punish bad behavior. This appeals to a lot of people because of its clear "carrot/stick" mentality and overall simplicity. This is the "Just-World" hypothesis.
In reality, this kind of thinking means that if you believe in Karma, you can ignore less-fortunates because clearly they screwed up their lives on their own. Conversely, you can get away with being a jerk to people, because they probably deserved it anyway. It is a self-reinforcing bias of the worst sort.
This is a very superficial interpretation of the idea of karma. What you're describing is just someone rationalizing being a judgmental asshole.
Karma is about "paying it forward", not in an attempt to gain the favor of the universe, but because it is the morally correct thing to do.
If you believe in karma, you believe that the machinations of the universe will reward and punish justly, but you don't participate in the process directly. Individuals don't get to meter out "karmic retribution" to people they perceive to be unworthy.
Not to mention arguably the worst aspect of Karma belief: that the successful deserve it. This kind of belief is what causes so many people in America to vote squarely against their own interests for their entire lives.
That's a rather dogmatic way of thinking about karma.
'I am the owner of my actions, heir to my actions, born of my actions, related through my actions, and have my actions as my arbitrator. Whatever I do, for good or for evil, to that will I fall heir.' Anguttara Nikaya 5.57 (translator: Thanissaro Bhikkhu)
Lesson to self: practice noble habits and refrain from ignoble ones.
> In reality, this kind of thinking means that if you believe in Karma, you can ignore less-fortunates because clearly they screwed up their lives on their own.
Disagree - If some one is "less-fortunate" and you are in the capacity to help them, you accumulate the negative kind of karma by ignoring them.
> Conversely, you can get away with being a jerk to people, because they probably deserved it anyway.
Maybe. But do not forget the implications on you for being a jerk.
> It is a self-reinforcing bias of the worst sort.
Philosophical perspectives on karma notwithstanding, I'm not sure I agree. You can ignore the less fortunate whether you believe in Karma, god or other imaginary friend.
Second, at times it should be your obligation to be a jerk to others. Not saying always, but where not doing so puts you into a worse place than you would otherwise be, you should.
To explain (followed by an extreme example): consider the most important things you need to accomplish in life (remember also that these will vary depending on what you intend to achieve with your life) -
1. Stay alive. You can't do squat if you're dead.
2. Love unconditionally, but take no crap.
3. And so on.
If being an arse to someone keeps you alive then this may give you the opportunity to save your child's life. There are many less-extreme scenarios that are just as valid. Why, for example, does the FAA suggest putting your own oxygen mask on before helping others?
PS. Everybody can be successful. Ref. Wallace D. Wattles' vol 1: The Science of Getting Rich
Karma is not a dialectic, as if there is a synthesis/anti-syntheis position from which to posit the workings of Karmic responses.
At the essence of anyone who wishes to live a better life, is responsibility. Karma is a cultural mechanic by which we humans can discuss the phenomenon of responsibility in a manner which, while it may be broken or incomplete, has indeed - by simple stint of communication - resulted in many an individual, family, group of people, improving their lives.
A little more consciousness of the responsibility of the individual to interact with the wider universe, is all one can truly hope to 'gain' from a Karmic point of view.
Just so its clear, I don't think Karma as you understand it is necessarily complete, or at least you cannot apply the dialectic materialist point of view, if you think you 'get' Karma.. imho, of course.
The more general and, perhaps, more correct notion of karma is dependent causation, which means that everything what we are is caused by our actions - thoughts, deeds, desires (including those in past lives.))
This concept, considered broadly, eliminates any kind of external, super-human forces, including deities and gods. It also opens the path for changes in oneself (a way to enlightenment) due to lack of any other obstacles but ones own mind.
Our own actions is only part of the big notion, and of course, according to ancient teachings, "good" and "bad" doesn't exist outside ones mind, there are just actions and the objective reality, which just is.
Remember kids, if you work hard, sacrifice, and have parents with a spare house in Tahoe they can lend you rent-free indefinitely, you too can make it as a programmer.
Who your parents are and who you know is a big determinant of what you're going to do with your life. I don't see anything wrong with using these resources if they're available.
Also, as a European, I am continually amazed by the low, low real estate prices in some parts of the US. There are very nice big rural properties that even I could afford without a lot of hassle.
I must admit I've actually toyed with the idea of buying one, but to make it full circle with the article, decided against it because I thought it would be utterly unfair to my cat (she suffers enough absences as it is) - I realized that she has very little time left and that we're going to make the best of it :)
There may be something to that, but it's kind of unrelated to the article. The article claims to be about sacrifice, but it's actually about pursuing happiness.
And his lesson in pursuing happiness is pretty universal: Be willing to make very big life changes in the pursuit of happiness, and supposed "obligations" to others are never significant enough to sacrifice your happiness to.
P.S. In anticipation of a potential criticism of this, no, having children is not a "sacrifice." Do it because it makes you happy to do it. If it's a sacrifice, you're doing it wrong.
I can't understand the general hostility toward getting (financial) help from your parents or living with them until you are financially independent, even after 18/25/30.
I know I am biased as an italian (and pretty much adhere to the true stereotype) but I can't find anything wrong from getting help from the people that brought you in this world and which probably love you more than anyone else on the planet (and therefore have more reasons to do so). There's no shame in getting helped.
shrugs Everyone has advantages. You being born in the U.S. or having the ability to work in the U.S. is an advantage. Hell, whatever shit that happened to you in your life that made you who you are today, that makes you wake up everyday and decide to work (whilst your fellow man sits drinking a beer and bemoans the lazy Mexican stealing his job) is an advantage.
(Although, I would fucking love a family with a spare house in Tahoe. )
Pretty sure he would have found a way even without these advantages. Might have taken a longer time, might have been a pretty ugly show, but once the conviction the hardest part was over.
Your point is really snarky. I also don't like that he tried to externalize his decisions, though. His dog made him do it? Oh, look - I'm being snarky now, but that's what I got out of it.
I actually respect him for explaining his motives and position even if I don't agree with him. Everybody acts irrationally and we rarely admit it openly.
The bit about having to overcome feelings of guilt about disappointing your advisor in order to live the right life for you really resonated with me. Taking the long-term view to make the right short-term life choices is something that many of my unhappy colleagues still toiling on their doctorates would benefit from. We PhD dropouts have decades of experience meeting and exceeding the expectations of others by the time we reach graduate school, so it feels like a radical step to finally place our own needs and desires above the need for validation from others in our lives.
Second. I'd also like to point out that I am a cat person and also feel bad about not being able to spend more time with my cats while I'm in the lab all day!
> If you’ve ever owned a dog, you know just how intelligent they actually are (especially larger breeds)
yes, some larger breeds rate higher on obedience scale, and we, humans, equate that to the intelligence in animals. There is another bias also is that large breeds are more frequently working breeds, thus a lot of specialized effort is invested into training them, and thus more of the obedience results achieved.
Quite a bit of discussion around the meaning of Karma in here.
As an Indian, I'd like to chip in with the actual meaning of "Karma" - the closest synonym in English is "fulfilling your purpose".
The Indian culture is heavy with assumptions that everyone has some purpose in life. The concept of karma urges you to act upon your purpose in life - intended or perceived. It never promises any rewards or punishments by itself. That is primarily taken care of by the rest of the philosophy in these books - unsurprisingly similar to all the other religions of the world.
By itself, karma has no positive or negative association. In fact, one of the holy texts dissociates your "karma" with the fruits reaped subsequent to it. "Continue fulfilling your purpose in life without expecting any rewards for your actions whatsoever." In other words:
Happiness = Reality - Expectations.
The lower the expectations and 'better' the reality, the greater your happiness. :)
I like this guy. Except for when he acted like cat owners couldn't make sacrifices too. I once had to cut a trip short because my cat missed me so much that he made himself sick.
I'm a dog and cat person, though mostly I've only been what my roommates have been. My current roommate has a dog. My last few roommates have had cats...Living in New York now, what I wouldn't give for a mouse-killing cat...
It's hard to say which animal is better, overall. I will say though that a cat whose devotion you've earned, to the point that it's as loyal as a dog (yet knows how to use the litter box)...is my favorite hybrid pet of all.
I live in a village of 40 people in the mountains a large part of the year for my dogs. Programming from home. Living in a city and working in an office I thought was horrible for animals so we changed our lives 6 years ago radically to not go to 'the office' (office at home now) and live on a large (30000 m^2) plot of land where dogs can be outside without us worrying about cars.
I don't have the karma thing; I just moved because I thought dogs should be able to run around all day instead of sit in a small apartment (the apartment costing actually 4x as much as the villa + large plot of land making it really insane to me now that people actually choose and like living on 80m^2 vs 200m^2+30000m^2 for 4x as much money, but he, I loved it in the city; I'm not sure if that feeling grew or was always there). We would never move back to our previous life; there is no stress anymore and money is simply worth a lot more in the countryside.
The author's opinions on incurring credit card debt strikes me as naive with a hint of survivorship bias.
> As long as you use the money properly, and investing in yourself is the best possible way to use money, credit cards can give you a new life.
If by using the money properly he meant investing in his business, then, what would have happened if his business instead failed (as most do)?
Incurring high-interest debt like that isn't really advisable unless you have a solid plan B to deal with it in case things go awry (which they probably will).
That's the wonderful and horrible thing about the US. There are a myriad of high risk high reward options like credit cards and student debt. For some people they pay off, for others they end up drowning in debt. There are some wonderful success stories and some terrifying stories of lives reduced to abject poverty.
I was a bit struck by this:
> I see credit cards as being the saving grace which prevented another great depression during the recent economic collapse.
Partly because the economic collapse was driven by banks allowing high-risk credit on mortgages, loans and credit cards, and thinking they staved off a true great depression is a very weird way to approach it.
Great story. However, this clearly was not a sacrifice.
It would be a sacrifice if he had made himself miserable for the sake of the dog.
We have a culture that glorifies sacrifice, and we need to stop doing that. Sacrifice is a barbaric, religious notion. Nobody truly gains by others' sacrifices.
Really sweet story. As a two-cat household (no doggies allowed in apartment unfortunately) I understand the desire to be home with them. I always tell people being with my kitties all day is a major plus for being a programmer. And didn't mind the ending line, cat people have their dog people jokes too so it's fun for all of us.
I've got tremendous respect for this man - honestly identifying what's important and then changing direction so fundamentally is very hard. It takes a lot of courage to do all of that, we need more loving people for sure.
I honestly don't know where I'd be without my dog. They really are amazing animals. It's been a rough few years and just knowing that every time I get up from the computer that he's ready to make me smile and go wherever I go, whenever I go... it's a perfect reminder of why I work as hard as I do.
Even though I do walk him multiple times each day, I feel bad for sitting at this machine working 70+ hours a week trying to build a business. It's taking longer than expected and it's gotten to where I can't tell if he's just getting old or possibly depressed from lack of stimulation, so I tell him (probably more so myself ;) that we're going to move on soon and have all kinds of fun. That's the main thing that keeps me going. I just hope that by the time I do get back on my feet, there's still time to give him the life he deserves.
There are probably a lot of people out there who balk at the idea of personal sacrifice for a dog. It’s easy to spot these people, however. They are cat people.
I spent $1000 last month so one of my cats could get an abcessed tooth removed on Memorial day, out of about $2500 that I took in. You're not special.
So dogs don't deserve to be locked up all day inside, but kids, and people, do?
Humans are happy outdoors. Children need to be outside exploring, playing, figuring out the earth and nature, not sitting inside on iPads all day. Just because there are "good jobs" in tech doesn't mean it's OK to withdraw your child from nature in order to allow more time tinkering with computers.
Let kids get close with nature. Let them connect with animals and the earth. It will lead to calmer, more empathetic adults with less anxiety and more confidence and compassion.
As someone who lived in South Lake many years ago, I do get the Tallac reference. In the spring of 90 I hiked that mountain (started at 2am and reached the top at 9am)and snowboarded down the "cross". That day is one if my best memories. Thank you for the reminder=)
I really wish this trend of pressing left and right arrow keys to change articles/blog-posts would hurry up and die. Maybe I'm just stupidly clumsy, but so many times I'll try and scroll down on one of these pages and get thrown to some random story that doesn't interest me because I hit the wrong arrow key.
Perhaps the author knew he was on the wrong path subconsciously, but convinced himself it was okay if he was making the change for his dog? To turn his own words around, why would someone who lives a life of 75-80 years decide the course of their life-time for one that will only be around for 10?
I don't know I don't have problems making changes in my life for someone who matters to me. I don't look at life as a single event. Better split it into 5 - 10 year periods, a lot of things change in that time.
Also if you like having dogs you'll have another one with similar needs in 10-15 years.
It seems like he might have solved his problem twice. I have a friend who's a serious dog person, and having a significant other who gets home several hours before he does has helped his dog to be happy. Perhaps Lisa also has an easier schedule than dsowers would have if he continued being a chemist.
[+] [-] Afforess|12 years ago|reply
Karma is essentially the worst sort of belief, in that superficially it seems to reward good behavior and punish bad behavior. This appeals to a lot of people because of its clear "carrot/stick" mentality and overall simplicity. This is the "Just-World" hypothesis.
In reality, this kind of thinking means that if you believe in Karma, you can ignore less-fortunates because clearly they screwed up their lives on their own. Conversely, you can get away with being a jerk to people, because they probably deserved it anyway. It is a self-reinforcing bias of the worst sort.
[+] [-] nkohari|12 years ago|reply
Karma is about "paying it forward", not in an attempt to gain the favor of the universe, but because it is the morally correct thing to do.
If you believe in karma, you believe that the machinations of the universe will reward and punish justly, but you don't participate in the process directly. Individuals don't get to meter out "karmic retribution" to people they perceive to be unworthy.
[+] [-] flyinRyan|12 years ago|reply
[+] [-] cko|12 years ago|reply
'I am the owner of my actions, heir to my actions, born of my actions, related through my actions, and have my actions as my arbitrator. Whatever I do, for good or for evil, to that will I fall heir.' Anguttara Nikaya 5.57 (translator: Thanissaro Bhikkhu)
Lesson to self: practice noble habits and refrain from ignoble ones.
[+] [-] sudo_robin|12 years ago|reply
Disagree - If some one is "less-fortunate" and you are in the capacity to help them, you accumulate the negative kind of karma by ignoring them.
> Conversely, you can get away with being a jerk to people, because they probably deserved it anyway.
Maybe. But do not forget the implications on you for being a jerk.
> It is a self-reinforcing bias of the worst sort.
Depends on how you take it.
[+] [-] Spearchucker|12 years ago|reply
Second, at times it should be your obligation to be a jerk to others. Not saying always, but where not doing so puts you into a worse place than you would otherwise be, you should.
To explain (followed by an extreme example): consider the most important things you need to accomplish in life (remember also that these will vary depending on what you intend to achieve with your life) -
1. Stay alive. You can't do squat if you're dead.
2. Love unconditionally, but take no crap.
3. And so on.
If being an arse to someone keeps you alive then this may give you the opportunity to save your child's life. There are many less-extreme scenarios that are just as valid. Why, for example, does the FAA suggest putting your own oxygen mask on before helping others?
PS. Everybody can be successful. Ref. Wallace D. Wattles' vol 1: The Science of Getting Rich
[+] [-] seclorum|12 years ago|reply
At the essence of anyone who wishes to live a better life, is responsibility. Karma is a cultural mechanic by which we humans can discuss the phenomenon of responsibility in a manner which, while it may be broken or incomplete, has indeed - by simple stint of communication - resulted in many an individual, family, group of people, improving their lives.
A little more consciousness of the responsibility of the individual to interact with the wider universe, is all one can truly hope to 'gain' from a Karmic point of view.
Just so its clear, I don't think Karma as you understand it is necessarily complete, or at least you cannot apply the dialectic materialist point of view, if you think you 'get' Karma.. imho, of course.
[+] [-] jamesaguilar|12 years ago|reply
Man, people on this site overuse the word "terrifying."
[+] [-] dschiptsov|12 years ago|reply
This concept, considered broadly, eliminates any kind of external, super-human forces, including deities and gods. It also opens the path for changes in oneself (a way to enlightenment) due to lack of any other obstacles but ones own mind.
Our own actions is only part of the big notion, and of course, according to ancient teachings, "good" and "bad" doesn't exist outside ones mind, there are just actions and the objective reality, which just is.
[+] [-] gadders|12 years ago|reply
[+] [-] rictic|12 years ago|reply
[+] [-] Ultron|12 years ago|reply
That said, anyone who is a friend of animals is a friend of mine.
[+] [-] seldo|12 years ago|reply
[+] [-] Udo|12 years ago|reply
Also, as a European, I am continually amazed by the low, low real estate prices in some parts of the US. There are very nice big rural properties that even I could afford without a lot of hassle.
I must admit I've actually toyed with the idea of buying one, but to make it full circle with the article, decided against it because I thought it would be utterly unfair to my cat (she suffers enough absences as it is) - I realized that she has very little time left and that we're going to make the best of it :)
[+] [-] javert|12 years ago|reply
And his lesson in pursuing happiness is pretty universal: Be willing to make very big life changes in the pursuit of happiness, and supposed "obligations" to others are never significant enough to sacrifice your happiness to.
P.S. In anticipation of a potential criticism of this, no, having children is not a "sacrifice." Do it because it makes you happy to do it. If it's a sacrifice, you're doing it wrong.
[+] [-] Heliosmaster|12 years ago|reply
I know I am biased as an italian (and pretty much adhere to the true stereotype) but I can't find anything wrong from getting help from the people that brought you in this world and which probably love you more than anyone else on the planet (and therefore have more reasons to do so). There's no shame in getting helped.
[+] [-] eshvk|12 years ago|reply
(Although, I would fucking love a family with a spare house in Tahoe. )
[+] [-] hkmurakami|12 years ago|reply
[+] [-] drewcoo|12 years ago|reply
I actually respect him for explaining his motives and position even if I don't agree with him. Everybody acts irrationally and we rarely admit it openly.
[+] [-] jurassic|12 years ago|reply
[+] [-] unmei|12 years ago|reply
[+] [-] VladRussian2|12 years ago|reply
yes, some larger breeds rate higher on obedience scale, and we, humans, equate that to the intelligence in animals. There is another bias also is that large breeds are more frequently working breeds, thus a lot of specialized effort is invested into training them, and thus more of the obedience results achieved.
[+] [-] ianstallings|12 years ago|reply
[+] [-] yardie|12 years ago|reply
[+] [-] DjangoReinhardt|12 years ago|reply
As an Indian, I'd like to chip in with the actual meaning of "Karma" - the closest synonym in English is "fulfilling your purpose".
The Indian culture is heavy with assumptions that everyone has some purpose in life. The concept of karma urges you to act upon your purpose in life - intended or perceived. It never promises any rewards or punishments by itself. That is primarily taken care of by the rest of the philosophy in these books - unsurprisingly similar to all the other religions of the world.
By itself, karma has no positive or negative association. In fact, one of the holy texts dissociates your "karma" with the fruits reaped subsequent to it. "Continue fulfilling your purpose in life without expecting any rewards for your actions whatsoever." In other words:
Happiness = Reality - Expectations.
The lower the expectations and 'better' the reality, the greater your happiness. :)
[+] [-] Falling3|12 years ago|reply
[+] [-] dsowers|12 years ago|reply
[+] [-] danso|12 years ago|reply
It's hard to say which animal is better, overall. I will say though that a cat whose devotion you've earned, to the point that it's as loyal as a dog (yet knows how to use the litter box)...is my favorite hybrid pet of all.
[+] [-] tluyben2|12 years ago|reply
I don't have the karma thing; I just moved because I thought dogs should be able to run around all day instead of sit in a small apartment (the apartment costing actually 4x as much as the villa + large plot of land making it really insane to me now that people actually choose and like living on 80m^2 vs 200m^2+30000m^2 for 4x as much money, but he, I loved it in the city; I'm not sure if that feeling grew or was always there). We would never move back to our previous life; there is no stress anymore and money is simply worth a lot more in the countryside.
[+] [-] rl3|12 years ago|reply
> As long as you use the money properly, and investing in yourself is the best possible way to use money, credit cards can give you a new life.
If by using the money properly he meant investing in his business, then, what would have happened if his business instead failed (as most do)?
Incurring high-interest debt like that isn't really advisable unless you have a solid plan B to deal with it in case things go awry (which they probably will).
[+] [-] precisioncoder|12 years ago|reply
[+] [-] nicholassmith|12 years ago|reply
Partly because the economic collapse was driven by banks allowing high-risk credit on mortgages, loans and credit cards, and thinking they staved off a true great depression is a very weird way to approach it.
[+] [-] unknown|12 years ago|reply
[deleted]
[+] [-] javert|12 years ago|reply
It would be a sacrifice if he had made himself miserable for the sake of the dog.
We have a culture that glorifies sacrifice, and we need to stop doing that. Sacrifice is a barbaric, religious notion. Nobody truly gains by others' sacrifices.
[+] [-] matryoshka4811|12 years ago|reply
[+] [-] hoggle|12 years ago|reply
[+] [-] unknown|12 years ago|reply
[deleted]
[+] [-] unknown|12 years ago|reply
[deleted]
[+] [-] tfb|12 years ago|reply
Even though I do walk him multiple times each day, I feel bad for sitting at this machine working 70+ hours a week trying to build a business. It's taking longer than expected and it's gotten to where I can't tell if he's just getting old or possibly depressed from lack of stimulation, so I tell him (probably more so myself ;) that we're going to move on soon and have all kinds of fun. That's the main thing that keeps me going. I just hope that by the time I do get back on my feet, there's still time to give him the life he deserves.
[+] [-] anigbrowl|12 years ago|reply
I spent $1000 last month so one of my cats could get an abcessed tooth removed on Memorial day, out of about $2500 that I took in. You're not special.
[+] [-] joonix|12 years ago|reply
Humans are happy outdoors. Children need to be outside exploring, playing, figuring out the earth and nature, not sitting inside on iPads all day. Just because there are "good jobs" in tech doesn't mean it's OK to withdraw your child from nature in order to allow more time tinkering with computers.
Let kids get close with nature. Let them connect with animals and the earth. It will lead to calmer, more empathetic adults with less anxiety and more confidence and compassion.
[+] [-] unknown|12 years ago|reply
[deleted]
[+] [-] mehmehshoe|12 years ago|reply
http://www.summitpost.org/mount-tallac/150430
[+] [-] barbs|12 years ago|reply
[+] [-] smoyer|12 years ago|reply
P.S. I love my dog too but ...
[+] [-] notimetorelax|12 years ago|reply
Also if you like having dogs you'll have another one with similar needs in 10-15 years.
[+] [-] benatkin|12 years ago|reply