I don’t understand the cruelty or dismissal in some of these comments. You’ve worked so hard and are sharing what you saw and experienced in plain language. I, for one, am impressed with your drive to survive and take care of your mom.
The cruelty comes from those who have more, and absolutely do not want any part of helping others. They grab everything for themselves and despise anyone not like them
Most likely triggers guilt or feels like an attack on them... something along those lines. So they counter-punch here and it feels a little bit better for a minute.
I remember as a kid, lights off, no food in house, threats, punishments and two people who should have never been married, or have kids. I knew very early on not to have kids, and I didn't. But I also knew my path would be very different and lonely at times.
As I grew older I tried to be like others and go out, drink, party, but felt it was boring and not me. I started working and while my jobs never got me the big bucks, I kept a roof over my head, plugged along and often times alone.
kids who have parents that are involved with them, really well educated, healthy in mind and spirit, don't know how lucky they are. I was an anomaly in grade school, part of middle school, high school is the great blender (no father) but you could tell. Single family household. Now it is the norm, and no one is doing well. But, there are times when I am happy, content and living where it warms up quickly (no sleet, snow, ice) makes it okay. I've done the best I could.
if there is an afterlife and we get to ask questions, I suppose, or hope I get my questions answered.
This makes me sad, not just because of your story, but because this us the story of too many Americans in a country that has the money to provide everyone with these basic needs. This system has to change, and we all need to work to make that change happen.
My friend died, leaving his teenaged daughter to fend for herself. I have helped her along the way when I can, but I am always astounded about how much harder every single thing is for her. Just registering her dad’s car in her name took months and I had to drive all over to convince random people to sign forms.
Yeah, I remember as a kid literally going hungry. I ended up eating weevil filled macaroni or bologna sandwiches that were gifted. When I was older I had the grades for community college but we were on food stamps and apparently you can't be on food stamps and FAFSA. So, I had emotional breakdowns because all my parents could buy was chicken. I never finished college, because of that. Years later, I tried again but $60 for each class was too much to afford. Now I'm chronically I'll, my parents are elderly, and I have zero chances of getting a job. But I have to, because when my parents pass I have to take care of my disabled brother. The U.S. does nothing but take lives and sell dreams.
Unfortunately the AI industry is a consolidation of algorithmic injustice and absolute power. Tech companies have no interest in a world of abundance except where it applies to them. The current plan is this: destroy the working/middle class so that all that remains is the 1% and the 99%. Have you seen the movie "Elysium"? That's the blueprint.
Great story, I hope it works out for you. I’m in IT and probably not as skilled as you are but managed to get cushy corporate gigs after failing at the consulting route. This has only been a fairly recent development as offshore and outsourcing and guest worker programs decimated my field and I consider myself lucky. Now AI has pretty much made my job obsolete and it’s only a matter of time before management figures out that I don’t even code anymore, I just review whatever Copilot spits out and call it a day. Fortunately I have enough to retire, just through sheer luck and a wife with a lot of company stock. What happened with your last development gig?
I left out about 50 twists in the story but I've been working the last year as a director of engineering. We don't write code ai writes it and reviews it
thats exactly right. I have gone down the path of investing in real estate, crypto and stocks, and starting side businesses, all while working full time in tech as a strategy to leave the workforce as early as possible, and secure a simple 1 acre plot for my mom and I where I can grow all my food. With some luck, it may be possible to achieve in just a few more years (i've been working at this mission for 12 years with all my focus). what's crazy is the monetary system that enforces these inequalities may not survive that long.
Jesus Shawn I feel traumatized just from reading this, I dunno how you even. Pretty sure you're framing the future, though, so keep doing that. O/T the Dizzy Hen in Philomath is joy in the form of breakfast.
I don't understand the hate for Shawn K. He clearly worked a lot and didnt end up with much. Could he have made different choices? Probably, but it's hard to say what I would have done differently. I dropped out of college and worked in IT.
SK - I think that if you had been born in the 1970s your life would have been signifcantly easier. Inflation has been crazy and wages have barely gone up in comparison.
I agree that it is bullshit that the system is set up so that it costs us money just to live, and that we have to pay rent AKA property taxes to the government. Funny how self-employment taxes are so high. Been there. It's almost as if the system has been set up to allow the upper classes to capture the excess value of our labor, lol.
I think one good option is to live without government. Not sure how to get there. Real estate can be a solid investment. Look into keeping some savings in physical gold. You are right to fear cash (other than some for emergencies). Keep writing.
If you were born in the sixties or seventies, you were born into double digit inflation.
Why do you think all those housewives got jobs?
Self employment taxes are high because you're paying both parts of your social security and Medicare taxes -- but since you can deduct half as an expense, it evens out.
Loved this. Thanks for sharing. Have you read "the conquest of bread"? An anarchist socialist wrote about this exact thing : redistribution of all basic needs. No money. A utopia. I'm doing research on this for a novel ! Would love to chat.
If we can design AI that dynamically prices commodities for maximum extraction we can do this:
“Let’s run the numbers, create the models, and set up a new means of distribution that starts not from a place of artificial scarcity, but starts from a place of abundance and compassion for life.”
Incredible article, I did want to ask though, now you have achieved some stability do you find the fire has gone out?
After a childhood where my mother was forced resulting in my conception, I ended up surviving attempted murder and homelessness and fought off multiple serial sex attackers when I lived in poverty, since I got onto the property market in a safe area, the fire has left me.
The stress contributed to me developing severe endometriosis and I still can't afford surgery so I likely won't be able to have a family after all the stress.
What keeps you going now that you know the system is fake?
Everytime I have to work for another CEO who wants to run their company into the ground to play golf I want to claw out my eyes and smiling my way through another job interview feels like undergoing a lobotomy in slow motion.
How do you keep up the performance knowing the working world is fake?
Since seeing through the illusion I feel I am unemployable. I don't want to work for myself either, I just find people on average terminally disappointing.
I've not been promoted in a long time, that's been for the middle class who show up as already friends with the founder over the last seven years, I'm just there to work my fingers to the bone, "nice for what" is something I ask why I do daily.
Sorry to hear the crappy parts of your story. Yes I'm burned out, yes it's fake, but it becomes survival mode, the same as if a tiger jumped out in front of you. What keeps me going is I've calculated that there's a finite amount of money that I could reach, I'm talking passive income, that could cover housing and very simple low overhead indefinitely. I don't know any other way to reach that figure than the things I'm doing like working jobs. While I'm not really passionate about the work, I'm passionate about solving that problem and that's what's on my mind literally every day that I sit down for work
Wow, Shawn! You've got stamina, that's for sure. Others would have (and did, I guess) checked out long ago.
I must admit—your life has been harder than mine, but I'm not set up, either. I hear exactly what you are saying. The liberals are all for helping others, but they doom them to never rise above their condition. The conservatives say, "Buck up and get to work!" in a crapshot of a system. And those in between have no power.
I agree—there is plenty to go around.
The fix is a new system, where people think, act, and feel differently (than they do now). It will only happen when each individual is willing to take only what they need and give away everything else (not sell, not ration, not divvy-out). I personally believe it will happen—and things will get worse before they get better—but it will happen.
This really illustrates the cruelty of the system. It doesn’t have to be like this and I’m incredibly grateful for the genetic lottery that saw me born in a country where no-one needs to go without healthcare due to poverty. Wishing you every possible success with your housing investments.
I don’t understand the cruelty or dismissal in some of these comments. You’ve worked so hard and are sharing what you saw and experienced in plain language. I, for one, am impressed with your drive to survive and take care of your mom.
The cruelty comes from those who have more, and absolutely do not want any part of helping others. They grab everything for themselves and despise anyone not like them
Most likely triggers guilt or feels like an attack on them... something along those lines. So they counter-punch here and it feels a little bit better for a minute.
I remember as a kid, lights off, no food in house, threats, punishments and two people who should have never been married, or have kids. I knew very early on not to have kids, and I didn't. But I also knew my path would be very different and lonely at times.
As I grew older I tried to be like others and go out, drink, party, but felt it was boring and not me. I started working and while my jobs never got me the big bucks, I kept a roof over my head, plugged along and often times alone.
kids who have parents that are involved with them, really well educated, healthy in mind and spirit, don't know how lucky they are. I was an anomaly in grade school, part of middle school, high school is the great blender (no father) but you could tell. Single family household. Now it is the norm, and no one is doing well. But, there are times when I am happy, content and living where it warms up quickly (no sleet, snow, ice) makes it okay. I've done the best I could.
if there is an afterlife and we get to ask questions, I suppose, or hope I get my questions answered.
Very relatable 🙏
This makes me sad, not just because of your story, but because this us the story of too many Americans in a country that has the money to provide everyone with these basic needs. This system has to change, and we all need to work to make that change happen.
thanks. that’s why I shared
My friend died, leaving his teenaged daughter to fend for herself. I have helped her along the way when I can, but I am always astounded about how much harder every single thing is for her. Just registering her dad’s car in her name took months and I had to drive all over to convince random people to sign forms.
It is extraction all the way down.
Yeah, I remember as a kid literally going hungry. I ended up eating weevil filled macaroni or bologna sandwiches that were gifted. When I was older I had the grades for community college but we were on food stamps and apparently you can't be on food stamps and FAFSA. So, I had emotional breakdowns because all my parents could buy was chicken. I never finished college, because of that. Years later, I tried again but $60 for each class was too much to afford. Now I'm chronically I'll, my parents are elderly, and I have zero chances of getting a job. But I have to, because when my parents pass I have to take care of my disabled brother. The U.S. does nothing but take lives and sell dreams.
Did you forgo hotdogs for your vegan sensibilities? Shawn is a douche.
A douche feels alleviating when a body orifice aches.
Unfortunately the AI industry is a consolidation of algorithmic injustice and absolute power. Tech companies have no interest in a world of abundance except where it applies to them. The current plan is this: destroy the working/middle class so that all that remains is the 1% and the 99%. Have you seen the movie "Elysium"? That's the blueprint.
Great story, I hope it works out for you. I’m in IT and probably not as skilled as you are but managed to get cushy corporate gigs after failing at the consulting route. This has only been a fairly recent development as offshore and outsourcing and guest worker programs decimated my field and I consider myself lucky. Now AI has pretty much made my job obsolete and it’s only a matter of time before management figures out that I don’t even code anymore, I just review whatever Copilot spits out and call it a day. Fortunately I have enough to retire, just through sheer luck and a wife with a lot of company stock. What happened with your last development gig?
I left out about 50 twists in the story but I've been working the last year as a director of engineering. We don't write code ai writes it and reviews it
I think it would significantly improve the piece to include this information, even if in a coda.
Is your current plan to work until you can afford the simple life of security, garden, tiny house then opt out?
thats exactly right. I have gone down the path of investing in real estate, crypto and stocks, and starting side businesses, all while working full time in tech as a strategy to leave the workforce as early as possible, and secure a simple 1 acre plot for my mom and I where I can grow all my food. With some luck, it may be possible to achieve in just a few more years (i've been working at this mission for 12 years with all my focus). what's crazy is the monetary system that enforces these inequalities may not survive that long.
I hope you get there, man! Thanks for sharing your story.
precious metals miners also good for failing monetary system, need to diversify.
Thank you
Jesus Shawn I feel traumatized just from reading this, I dunno how you even. Pretty sure you're framing the future, though, so keep doing that. O/T the Dizzy Hen in Philomath is joy in the form of breakfast.
I don't understand the hate for Shawn K. He clearly worked a lot and didnt end up with much. Could he have made different choices? Probably, but it's hard to say what I would have done differently. I dropped out of college and worked in IT.
SK - I think that if you had been born in the 1970s your life would have been signifcantly easier. Inflation has been crazy and wages have barely gone up in comparison.
I agree that it is bullshit that the system is set up so that it costs us money just to live, and that we have to pay rent AKA property taxes to the government. Funny how self-employment taxes are so high. Been there. It's almost as if the system has been set up to allow the upper classes to capture the excess value of our labor, lol.
I think one good option is to live without government. Not sure how to get there. Real estate can be a solid investment. Look into keeping some savings in physical gold. You are right to fear cash (other than some for emergencies). Keep writing.
If you were born in the sixties or seventies, you were born into double digit inflation.
Why do you think all those housewives got jobs?
Self employment taxes are high because you're paying both parts of your social security and Medicare taxes -- but since you can deduct half as an expense, it evens out.
Once you figure out the cash hit.
Yes. Born in '64 in the pacific northwest. Was priced out in the late nineties so I get that.
Loved this. Thanks for sharing. Have you read "the conquest of bread"? An anarchist socialist wrote about this exact thing : redistribution of all basic needs. No money. A utopia. I'm doing research on this for a novel ! Would love to chat.
If we can design AI that dynamically prices commodities for maximum extraction we can do this:
“Let’s run the numbers, create the models, and set up a new means of distribution that starts not from a place of artificial scarcity, but starts from a place of abundance and compassion for life.”
I’m working on that now with a partner on substack 😂
This is a phenomenal essay.
Great story you are a real fighter and inspiring! Change is going to come!!!!
Incredible article, I did want to ask though, now you have achieved some stability do you find the fire has gone out?
After a childhood where my mother was forced resulting in my conception, I ended up surviving attempted murder and homelessness and fought off multiple serial sex attackers when I lived in poverty, since I got onto the property market in a safe area, the fire has left me.
The stress contributed to me developing severe endometriosis and I still can't afford surgery so I likely won't be able to have a family after all the stress.
What keeps you going now that you know the system is fake?
Everytime I have to work for another CEO who wants to run their company into the ground to play golf I want to claw out my eyes and smiling my way through another job interview feels like undergoing a lobotomy in slow motion.
How do you keep up the performance knowing the working world is fake?
Since seeing through the illusion I feel I am unemployable. I don't want to work for myself either, I just find people on average terminally disappointing.
I've not been promoted in a long time, that's been for the middle class who show up as already friends with the founder over the last seven years, I'm just there to work my fingers to the bone, "nice for what" is something I ask why I do daily.
Sorry to hear the crappy parts of your story. Yes I'm burned out, yes it's fake, but it becomes survival mode, the same as if a tiger jumped out in front of you. What keeps me going is I've calculated that there's a finite amount of money that I could reach, I'm talking passive income, that could cover housing and very simple low overhead indefinitely. I don't know any other way to reach that figure than the things I'm doing like working jobs. While I'm not really passionate about the work, I'm passionate about solving that problem and that's what's on my mind literally every day that I sit down for work
Wow, Shawn! You've got stamina, that's for sure. Others would have (and did, I guess) checked out long ago.
I must admit—your life has been harder than mine, but I'm not set up, either. I hear exactly what you are saying. The liberals are all for helping others, but they doom them to never rise above their condition. The conservatives say, "Buck up and get to work!" in a crapshot of a system. And those in between have no power.
I agree—there is plenty to go around.
The fix is a new system, where people think, act, and feel differently (than they do now). It will only happen when each individual is willing to take only what they need and give away everything else (not sell, not ration, not divvy-out). I personally believe it will happen—and things will get worse before they get better—but it will happen.
This really illustrates the cruelty of the system. It doesn’t have to be like this and I’m incredibly grateful for the genetic lottery that saw me born in a country where no-one needs to go without healthcare due to poverty. Wishing you every possible success with your housing investments.
thank you 🙏