Comments on: Damn the Man, Save the (Minimalist) Empire

By: Charley

Charley — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 01:47:49 +0000

I’m feeling you. I’d say my master plan is to exit working from the man but until we get universal health care here in the US, the plan is going to take a whole lot to implement.
exit

By: Sam

Sam — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 22:09:53 +0000

Charley, I understand what you are talking about. I’ve wrestled with the same question for awhile. Here is how I view it:

There is no final result or cut-off line where someone “officially” becomes a minimalist. For me, it’s all about making decisions that allow me to live my life more aligned with my values. I see no reason why working for “the man” has to be separate from that. There are so many aspects of life that minimalist principles can be applied to besides work.

By: cousin Matt

cousin Matt — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 16:29:16 +0000

Charley, I too work for the man, have a plan, and am on my own path to more deliberate living. I too rely on the man for my livelihood and health insurance (for now). And, most definitely, there is no right or wrong or degree to this. I hope I didn’t come off as judgemental. Truth is I’m a seeker too. I’m trying to find my way through all the distractions…on my path to more deliberate living.

I think the more that we are reliant on “the man” (either through working for him/her 40 hrs a week or by having our own specialized business), the more I cannot live according to my values. All that I’ve witnessed in my work life is businesses laying off good people for no cause of the worker. Or businesses going under because of the out of control economic cycles. I conclude from this, for me, to get in a better headspace I need to get out of this game. And also that it just may be insane to think our very specialized skills are going to help us remain unscathed in the future. Perhaps I can’t elucidate well the connection of being as self sufficient as possible and being more deliberate (minimal)…but its as clear as day to me…ya feel me?

By: Otto

Otto — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 14:03:46 +0000

I have to say that I kind of agree with Michele. Isn’t “working for the man” essentially more minimalist? Think of all the extra baggage you bring in to your life when you are running your own business.
My question on your view of minimalism, or Deliberate Living, is whether it’s an elimination of the unneeded or if there’s something more to it. Is eating organic food more minimalist? Is shopping at a mom and pop store more minimalist? Is working for a non-profit more minimalist than working for a for-profit firm? I just don’t make the connection there. To me, minimalism is taking away the excess until you get down to what is supposed to be there. It’s like a sculptor who chips away at the stone little by little, removing all the extra stuff, until all that you’re left with is a thing of beauty.

By: Michele

Michele — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 15:15:20 +0000

I think working for “the man” could be the most minimalist, simple , and deliberate thing to do. I put in my time for “the man” so I can pay for food, shelter, entertainment, charity, etc. Basically, a job is an easy way to meet your needs and wants. I learned there are job situations that aren’t good for me and I’ll do my best to avoid them, but if a job isn’t a soul-sucker and it meets basic needs, it’s good enough! That’s pretty simple.

By: Luke @ simplifi.de

Luke @ simplifi.de — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 05:41:33 +0000

I think the general consensus in the minimalism community online seems to agree with you – what is perfect minimalist for one person may be asceticism for another, while the third thinks it’s obscenely over-indulgent.

I think that you are right on. IMHO, giving “your best hours to the man” is perfectly in line with the deliberate life, because you are deliberately providing for your family. And you have a plan, and you’re working your plan. If you don’t seem minimalist enough in someone else’s eyes, it’s irrelevant, because they don’t see the big picture.