Guys, we’ve been exposed. In the first Chapter, no less.

Some would have you believe that we were happier and led more authentic lives as a serfs. I would rather celebrate the bounty that economic freedom brings.

I understand you.

The topic of that chapter (the headline on this page is only half of it – it continues: … and the Glamour of Potential) revolves around „freedom“ and what constitutes it.

The gist: freedom is only possible with boundaries and limits. Everything elsewould be a burden. Endless freedom means endless possibilities with endless ways to choose and behave would lead to an ever increasing need for „the next best thing“ (since there are endless).

In short: Unhinged, abundand and reckless spending ain‘t that cool and doesn’t constitue the concept of „freedom“ as lined out by the author and the concept if „happiness“ in a stoic sense.

I understand well the concept of "happiness" as possible through the limitation of choices. Walker Percy's second novel "The Last Gentleman" addressed this from an existentialist viewpoint. I can never find my favorite quote, but this gives a flavor:

“Like many young men in the South, he had trouble ruling out the possible. They are not like an immigrant's son in Passaic who desires to become a dentist and that is that. Southerners have trouble ruling out the possible. What happens to a... man to whom all things seem possible and every course of action open? Nothing of course.”

Where I chafe is the concept of freedom only being possible with constrictions. Unfettered freedom surely has consequences, but it is no less, actually more, freedom. So freedom can be a burden and may not lead to an increase in happiness, but it is certainly freedom. I have never encountered a truly happy libertine, but I have never doubted their freedom.

That dude sounds like he'd be fun at parties 🙄

Reading further on... he's using one anecdote of people arguing on holiday to say "All holidays are rubbish"... The dude needs to go better places... or go with better people 😆

I understand well the concept of "happiness" as possible through the limitation of choices. Walker Percy's second novel "The Last Gentleman" addressed this from an existentialist viewpoint. I can never find my favorite quote, but this gives a flavor:

“Like many young men in the South, he had trouble ruling out the possible. They are not like an immigrant's son in Passaic who desires to become a dentist and that is that. Southerners have trouble ruling out the possible. What happens to a... man to whom all things seem possible and every course of action open? Nothing of course.”

Where I chafe is the concept of freedom only being possible with constrictions. Unfettered freedom surely has consequences, but it is no less, actually more, freedom. So freedom can be a burden and may not lead to an increase in happiness, but it is certainly freedom. I have never encountered a truly happy libertine, but I have never doubted their freedom.

I refer to the multiple watches I own not as a collection, but as an assortment, almost for this exact reason. I don't see my assortment as an investment, I understand them to be unnecessary purchases and don't want to be seen as somebody who knows what hes talking bout! 😂

But you sure know something about cars. Is that a Morgan?

Not quite, though I had to think hard over a Morgan or this, my 2010 Caterham Seven, ex race car.