Life: Explained

**Oneironaut Zero** · 08-26-2009 11:08 AM

I StumbledUpon this, and thought is was great:

Life:

Explained

A boat docked in a tiny Mexican village. An American tourist complimented the Mexican fisherman on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took him to catch them.
"Not very long," answered the Mexican.
"But then, why didn't you stay out longer and catch more?" asked the American.
The Mexican explained that his small catch was sufficient to meet his needs and those of his family.
The American asked, "But what do you do with the rest of your time?"
"I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, and take a siesta with my wife. In the evenings, I go into the village to see my friends, have a few drinks, play the guitar, and sing a few songs. I have a full life."
The American interrupted, "I have an MBA from Harvard and I can help you! You should start by fishing longer every day. You can then sell the extra fish you catch. With the extra revenue, you can buy a bigger boat."
"And after that?" asked the Mexican.
"With the extra money the larger boat will bring, you can buy a second one and a third one and so on until you have an entire fleet of trawlers. Instead of selling your fish to a middle man, you can then negotiate directly with the processing plants and maybe even open your own plant. You can then leave this little village and move to Mexico City, Los Angeles, or even New York City! From there you can direct your huge new enterprise."
"How long would that take?" asked the Mexican.
"Twenty, perhaps twenty-five years," replied the American.
"And after that?"
"Afterwards? Well my friend, that's when it gets really interesting," answered the American, laughing. "When your business gets really big, you can start buying and selling stocks and make millions!"
"Millions? Really? And after that?" asked the Mexican.
"After that you'll be able to retire, live in a tiny village near the coast, sleep late, play with your children, catch a few fish, take a siesta with your wife and spend your evenings drinking and enjoying your friends."
And the moral of this story is: ......... Know where you're going in life... you may already be there.

http://www.toilette-paper.com/jokes/...explained.html

**Dreams4free** · 08-26-2009 12:55 PM

Originally Posted by Oneironaut

I StumbledUpon this, and thought is was great:

[/B]

http://www.toilette-paper.com/jokes/...explained.html

To be realistic after making millions of dollars on wall street, I'm sure there are many better retirement options you have instead of just going to some island where you fish and barley make ends meat. The moral of that story sounded more like "America... anyone can become rich here"

. Maybe with that kind of money, he could send his kids to college or donate to charity so other people may have the opportunity he does.

Basically, anyone can live in rustic simplicity; yet if that is all you desire, then you are in paradise. Sounds more like a insult to poor Mexican fisherman than actually desired living.

**Oneironaut Zero** · 08-26-2009 01:01 PM

Originally Posted by Dreams4free

Basically, anyone can live in rustic simplicity; yet if that is all you desire, then you are in paradise.

And that, Dreams4Free, is the moral of the story.

I didn't find it an insult to poor mexican fishermen. I found it a depiction of relativity.

**InvisibleWoman** · 08-27-2009 04:36 AM

This reminded me of Coelho's The Alchemist. It's a bit longer than your find, but a quick read nonetheless.

I think I like The Alchemist more than your find because it provides a more elaborate example of why you should "know where you're going in life," which I think your find lacks. I see a more existential theme in The Alchemist which suggests the value of discovering and understanding where it is you want to go or what it is you wanna do. The story of the young shepard, Santiago, is an example of how enlightenment is in the beginning of one's journey, not at the destination of a journey; enlightenment is in deciding to take it--in realizing a goal.

That reminds me of what Reiner Knizia once said: "When playing a game the goal is to win, but it is the goal that is important, not the winning."

. . . which reminds me of something. . . Henke? said: "From afar, the destination is as imposing as the journey."

**Oneironaut Zero** · 08-27-2009 04:40 AM

Originally Posted by InvisibleWoman

That reminds me of what Reiner Knizia once said: "When playing a game the goal is to win, but it is the goal that is important, not the winning."

I like that.

I've heard the journey/destination proverb often (maybe not in those exact words, but the same principle), and I agree, the one I found definitely lacks that aspect of it.

**Xei** · 08-27-2009 02:46 PM

Nice allegory, although I already live by this philosophy.

I do not care for money. I have a part time job because I need to pay my university fees, but I have no desire for money as an object, nor do I care for those objects which exist only as a flagrant display of wealth; large houses, fast cars... quite frankly I think the best thing that can be said of people who spend money on such things is that they are idiots, the worst that they are extremely selfish and narcissistic. I am quite frankly bemused by the myopia of 99% of the human race.

The crux of my personal human philosophy is this: reality has no inherent meaning. The only meaning that exists is that which you create for yourself, and the only coherent meaning to create for yourself is the intuitive, ineffable virtue of experience.

My personal goals in life are to unravel some of the scientific and philosophical mysteries of the mind, form some strong relationships, make music, and to simply be happy... none of these things require money.

**WakataDreamer** · 09-01-2009 11:34 PM

This has my approval and was a thoroughly enjoyable read.

**Oneironaut Zero** · 09-01-2009 11:54 PM

Originally Posted by Xei

Nice allegory, although I already live by this philosophy.

I do not care for money. I have a part time job because I need to pay my university fees, but I have no desire for money as an object, nor do I care for those objects which exist only as a flagrant display of wealth; large houses, fast cars... quite frankly I think the best thing that can be said of people who spend money on such things is that they are idiots, the worst that they are extremely selfish and narcissistic. I am quite frankly bemused by the myopia of 99% of the human race.

The crux of my personal human philosophy is this: reality has no inherent meaning. The only meaning that exists is that which you create for yourself, and the only coherent meaning to create for yourself is the intuitive, ineffable virtue of experience.

My personal goals in life are to unravel some of the scientific and philosophical mysteries of the mind, form some strong relationships, make music, and to simply be happy... none of these things require money.

Well said.

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