Skip to content
  • Categories
  • Recent
  • Tags
  • Popular
  • World
  • Users
  • Groups
Skins
  • Light
  • Cerulean
  • Cosmo
  • Flatly
  • Journal
  • Litera
  • Lumen
  • Lux
  • Materia
  • Minty
  • Morph
  • Pulse
  • Sandstone
  • Simplex
  • Sketchy
  • Spacelab
  • United
  • Yeti
  • Zephyr
  • Dark
  • Cyborg
  • Darkly
  • Quartz
  • Slate
  • Solar
  • Superhero
  • Vapor

  • Default (No Skin)
  • No Skin
Collapse
Code Project
  1. Home
  2. Other Discussions
  3. The Back Room
  4. Can you build a life from $25?

Can you build a life from $25?

Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved The Back Room
comquestion
58 Posts 10 Posters 0 Views 1 Watching
  • Oldest to Newest
  • Newest to Oldest
  • Most Votes
Reply
  • Reply as topic
Log in to reply
This topic has been deleted. Only users with topic management privileges can see it.
  • L led mike

    Chris Austin wrote:

    It's 100 percent attitude.

    I don't buy the 100% attitude part but no doubt it's practically impossible without the attitude. Well done by the way. :beer: I certainly wasn't poor as you but by the time I was a junior in high school my father had passed and I had to work to help our mother pay the bills.

    led mike

    C Offline
    C Offline
    Chris Austin
    wrote on last edited by
    #26

    led mike wrote:

    I don't buy the 100% attitude

    Sorry to hear that. For me its a key to life.

    led mike wrote:

    by the time I was a junior in high school my father had passed and I had to work to help our mother pay the bills.

    Sorry to hear that. My dad passed pretty early as well the bastard :). I really needed him when I was a senior in HS.

    A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects. - -Lazarus Long

    L 1 Reply Last reply
    0
    • C Chris Austin

      led mike wrote:

      I guess "starting from scratch" didn't mean what I thought it did!

      You forgot the part about only having $25 to his name.

      A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects. - -Lazarus Long

      L Offline
      L Offline
      led mike
      wrote on last edited by
      #27

      Chris Austin wrote:

      You forgot the part about only having $25 to his name.

      How does that effect the fact that being a former college athlete with a bachelors degree does not qualify as "starting from scratch"?

      led mike

      C 1 Reply Last reply
      0
      • C Chris Austin

        The real question to me is why could a young kid with $25 do what Ehrenreich, a supposedly educated and experienced adult, could not with $1300.00. I think she went into the experiment without an expectation of success and this kid went into it with nothing but success on his mind. She whined, he worked. She walked out on a job, he kept working and found other people that shared a similar attitude. She wasn't prepared to do what it took and he was.

        oilFactotum wrote:

        The notion is your believe that your personal experience can be applied to the rest of the world.

        I belive that anybody who plans their work and works their plan will eventuly be sucessfull.

        A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects. - -Lazarus Long

        O Offline
        O Offline
        oilFactotum
        wrote on last edited by
        #28

        Chris Austin wrote:

        The real question to me

        A question that cannot be answered. Because Adam, unlike Ehrenreich, provides no information about what he actually did(like, perhaps cheat).

        Chris Austin wrote:

        I think she went

        That's what you think, but it is based on no information at all. You haven't read the book.

        Chris Austin wrote:

        I belive that anybody who plans their work and works their plan will eventuly be sucessfull.

        Yes, that is your notion.

        C 1 Reply Last reply
        0
        • O oilFactotum

          Interesting how you actually spend a little time trying to dispute her, but you have no problem accepting Adam's story at face value. You see what you want to see.

          R Offline
          R Offline
          Rob Graham
          wrote on last edited by
          #29

          oilFactotum wrote:

          You see what you want to see.

          Wait a damn minute. You started this by disputing the validity of the "experiment' in Al's link, and threw out Barbara Ehrenreich's experiment as counter example. When i challenge your counter-example you fall back on accusing me of "seeing what I want to see". Unable to counter the logic, you attack the person. What a poor loser you are.

          O 1 Reply Last reply
          0
          • C Chris Austin

            led mike wrote:

            I don't buy the 100% attitude

            Sorry to hear that. For me its a key to life.

            led mike wrote:

            by the time I was a junior in high school my father had passed and I had to work to help our mother pay the bills.

            Sorry to hear that. My dad passed pretty early as well the bastard :). I really needed him when I was a senior in HS.

            A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects. - -Lazarus Long

            L Offline
            L Offline
            led mike
            wrote on last edited by
            #30

            Chris Austin wrote:

            For me its a key to life.

            I agree, it is key. However there are many other factors as well.

            led mike

            1 Reply Last reply
            0
            • L led mike

              Chris Austin wrote:

              You forgot the part about only having $25 to his name.

              How does that effect the fact that being a former college athlete with a bachelors degree does not qualify as "starting from scratch"?

              led mike

              C Offline
              C Offline
              Chris Austin
              wrote on last edited by
              #31

              I'm looking at it that he left every of that behind. And, I never seen a university teach the ethics and benefits of a hards day work. Also, I don't see how attending school helps him as a day laborer. Admittedly, being a former athlete probably helps in my opinion, most of the good athletes I know have developed a great work ethic.

              A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects. - -Lazarus Long

              L 1 Reply Last reply
              0
              • O oilFactotum

                Chris Austin wrote:

                The real question to me

                A question that cannot be answered. Because Adam, unlike Ehrenreich, provides no information about what he actually did(like, perhaps cheat).

                Chris Austin wrote:

                I think she went

                That's what you think, but it is based on no information at all. You haven't read the book.

                Chris Austin wrote:

                I belive that anybody who plans their work and works their plan will eventuly be sucessfull.

                Yes, that is your notion.

                C Offline
                C Offline
                Chris Austin
                wrote on last edited by
                #32

                oilFactotum wrote:

                That's what you think, but it is based on no information at all. You haven't read the book.

                Enlighten me then. Why did she walk out on her work? Did she fail to plan? Did she even have a goal?

                oilFactotum wrote:

                Yes, that is your notion.

                Certainly, one that I've seen proven time and time again.

                A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects. - -Lazarus Long

                O 1 Reply Last reply
                0
                • S Stan Shannon

                  Don't worry, I think this is one of the things Obama plans to change.

                  Please excuse my refusal to participate in the suicide of western civilization

                  L Offline
                  L Offline
                  led mike
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #33

                  Stan Shannon wrote:

                  Don't worry, I think this is one of the things Obama plans to change.

                  I don't normally do predictions but I would be willing to bet like a dinner that rich people will still be able to pretend to be poor after attending college and receiving a bachelors degree regardless of who is elected president.

                  led mike

                  S 1 Reply Last reply
                  0
                  • C Chris Austin

                    I'm looking at it that he left every of that behind. And, I never seen a university teach the ethics and benefits of a hards day work. Also, I don't see how attending school helps him as a day laborer. Admittedly, being a former athlete probably helps in my opinion, most of the good athletes I know have developed a great work ethic.

                    A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects. - -Lazarus Long

                    L Offline
                    L Offline
                    led mike
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #34

                    Chris Austin wrote:

                    I'm looking at it that he left every of that behind.

                    You can look at it however you like, that doesn't make it true. How do you leave behind all the lessons learned the abilities gained the wisdom grown from experience. No way that story qualifies as "starting from scratch", period. No way.

                    led mike

                    C 1 Reply Last reply
                    0
                    • L led mike

                      Chris Austin wrote:

                      I'm looking at it that he left every of that behind.

                      You can look at it however you like, that doesn't make it true. How do you leave behind all the lessons learned the abilities gained the wisdom grown from experience. No way that story qualifies as "starting from scratch", period. No way.

                      led mike

                      C Offline
                      C Offline
                      Chris Austin
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #35

                      Ok, I'll accept your point for the sake of the argument. :) But, this really makes me wonder about Ehrenreich and her failure.

                      A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects. - -Lazarus Long

                      L 1 Reply Last reply
                      0
                      • L led mike

                        Stan Shannon wrote:

                        Don't worry, I think this is one of the things Obama plans to change.

                        I don't normally do predictions but I would be willing to bet like a dinner that rich people will still be able to pretend to be poor after attending college and receiving a bachelors degree regardless of who is elected president.

                        led mike

                        S Offline
                        S Offline
                        Stan Shannon
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #36

                        No, I'm actually pretty sure that is what "change" means. Otherwise, why Obama?

                        Please excuse my refusal to participate in the suicide of western civilization

                        L 1 Reply Last reply
                        0
                        • O oilFactotum

                          Rob Graham wrote:

                          you're about to vote for Obama

                          Sure am!

                          Rob Graham wrote:

                          why should his background or education invalidate the experiment?

                          Didn't say that, did I?

                          S Offline
                          S Offline
                          Stan Shannon
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #37

                          oilFactotum wrote:

                          Sure am!

                          Me too!

                          Please excuse my refusal to participate in the suicide of western civilization

                          1 Reply Last reply
                          0
                          • R Rob Graham

                            oilFactotum wrote:

                            You see what you want to see.

                            Wait a damn minute. You started this by disputing the validity of the "experiment' in Al's link, and threw out Barbara Ehrenreich's experiment as counter example. When i challenge your counter-example you fall back on accusing me of "seeing what I want to see". Unable to counter the logic, you attack the person. What a poor loser you are.

                            O Offline
                            O Offline
                            oilFactotum
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #38

                            Rob Graham wrote:

                            When i challenge your counter-example

                            No, what you did is cherry pick a few items from a wiki and drew some unsupported conclusions. That is "seeing what you want to see".

                            Rob Graham wrote:

                            Unable to counter the logic

                            Sorry, logic wasn't involved.

                            Rob Graham wrote:

                            What a poor loser you are.

                            Can't say that I've lost anything. A rich boy's lark doesn't prove a thing about the life of the homeless or the working poor.

                            R 1 Reply Last reply
                            0
                            • C Chris Austin

                              oilFactotum wrote:

                              That's what you think, but it is based on no information at all. You haven't read the book.

                              Enlighten me then. Why did she walk out on her work? Did she fail to plan? Did she even have a goal?

                              oilFactotum wrote:

                              Yes, that is your notion.

                              Certainly, one that I've seen proven time and time again.

                              A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects. - -Lazarus Long

                              O Offline
                              O Offline
                              oilFactotum
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #39

                              Chris Austin wrote:

                              Enlighten me

                              Read the book, broaden your horizons.

                              C 1 Reply Last reply
                              0
                              • S Stan Shannon

                                No, I'm actually pretty sure that is what "change" means. Otherwise, why Obama?

                                Please excuse my refusal to participate in the suicide of western civilization

                                L Offline
                                L Offline
                                led mike
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #40

                                Stan Shannon wrote:

                                No, I'm actually pretty sure that is what "change" means. Otherwise, why Obama?

                                What's he, or anyone else, going to do? Create the Anti Acting Poor Act?

                                led mike

                                S 1 Reply Last reply
                                0
                                • O oilFactotum

                                  Chris Austin wrote:

                                  Enlighten me

                                  Read the book, broaden your horizons.

                                  C Offline
                                  C Offline
                                  Chris Austin
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #41

                                  I see no value in the book. I find much more value in finding stories of success and trying to understand why and how people achieved their long term goals.

                                  A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects. - -Lazarus Long

                                  O 1 Reply Last reply
                                  0
                                  • C Chris Austin

                                    I see no value in the book. I find much more value in finding stories of success and trying to understand why and how people achieved their long term goals.

                                    A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects. - -Lazarus Long

                                    O Offline
                                    O Offline
                                    oilFactotum
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #42

                                    Chris Austin wrote:

                                    I see no value in the book.

                                    We wouldn't want anything to complicate your notions.

                                    C 1 Reply Last reply
                                    0
                                    • C Chris Austin

                                      Ok, I'll accept your point for the sake of the argument. :) But, this really makes me wonder about Ehrenreich and her failure.

                                      A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects. - -Lazarus Long

                                      L Offline
                                      L Offline
                                      led mike
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #43

                                      Chris Austin wrote:

                                      But, this really makes me wonder about Ehrenreich and her failure.

                                      Good, they are both experiments and all they can do is approximate the scenario. From experiments like that you can compile information about the scenario. Those pieces of information can be helpful in trying to decide how to move forward in problem solving. However they are not a testament to anything. They don't provide any sort of holistic revelation of the scenario. Something that a person with a bachelors degree should be able to comprehend. I would say that if anything he has proven that his education was a waste. "The book, he says, is a testament to what ordinary Americans can achieve." My ass! Only for people that think a rich person with a bachelors degree qualifies as an "ordinary American". Rich people like that guy don't know the first thing about not being rich. Him and his book and his experiment and his point of view are all garbage, period.

                                      led mike

                                      C 1 Reply Last reply
                                      0
                                      • O oilFactotum

                                        Rob Graham wrote:

                                        When i challenge your counter-example

                                        No, what you did is cherry pick a few items from a wiki and drew some unsupported conclusions. That is "seeing what you want to see".

                                        Rob Graham wrote:

                                        Unable to counter the logic

                                        Sorry, logic wasn't involved.

                                        Rob Graham wrote:

                                        What a poor loser you are.

                                        Can't say that I've lost anything. A rich boy's lark doesn't prove a thing about the life of the homeless or the working poor.

                                        R Offline
                                        R Offline
                                        Rob Graham
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #44

                                        Thank you for proving my point by continuing the ad hominem attack.

                                        1 Reply Last reply
                                        0
                                        • L led mike

                                          Chris Austin wrote:

                                          But, this really makes me wonder about Ehrenreich and her failure.

                                          Good, they are both experiments and all they can do is approximate the scenario. From experiments like that you can compile information about the scenario. Those pieces of information can be helpful in trying to decide how to move forward in problem solving. However they are not a testament to anything. They don't provide any sort of holistic revelation of the scenario. Something that a person with a bachelors degree should be able to comprehend. I would say that if anything he has proven that his education was a waste. "The book, he says, is a testament to what ordinary Americans can achieve." My ass! Only for people that think a rich person with a bachelors degree qualifies as an "ordinary American". Rich people like that guy don't know the first thing about not being rich. Him and his book and his experiment and his point of view are all garbage, period.

                                          led mike

                                          C Offline
                                          C Offline
                                          Chris Austin
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #45

                                          led mike wrote:

                                          My ass! Only for people that think a rich person with a bachelors degree qualifies as an "ordinary American".

                                          Nonsense. He is no less ordinary than you or I.

                                          A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects. - -Lazarus Long

                                          L P 2 Replies Last reply
                                          0
                                          Reply
                                          • Reply as topic
                                          Log in to reply
                                          • Oldest to Newest
                                          • Newest to Oldest
                                          • Most Votes


                                          • Login

                                          • Don't have an account? Register

                                          • Login or register to search.
                                          • First post
                                            Last post
                                          0
                                          • Categories
                                          • Recent
                                          • Tags
                                          • Popular
                                          • World
                                          • Users
                                          • Groups