The rich industrialist was horrified to find the fisherman lying beside his boat, smoking a pipe.
'Why aren't you out fishing?' asked the industrialist.
'Because I have caught enough fish for the day,'
'Why don't you catch some more?'
'What would I do with them?'
"You could earn more money. Then you could have a motor fitted to your boat to go into deeper waters and catch more fish. Then you would have enough money to buy nylon nets. These would bring you more fish and own two boats
When stability and status are based on what you have,
then it is under constant threat of being taken away.
The system offers minimal improvements to one’s sense of stability as they gain more wealth.
But true freedom and stability comes from being a valued member of community, based on who someone is, not what they have.
This kind of stability reduces that very threat from the system. The more we lean on one another, the less leverage can be held over us.
That’s why the system incentivizes for individualism, bc it isolates us and breaks down the trust bonds of community, keeping us too afraid to trust one another for our shared stability.
I love the idea of reclaiming one of my dependencies. I think I'll start with learning a new skill to repair something (rather than outsourcing that labor).
Really enjoyed reading this! Similar has been mind in regards to surveillance culture - why would the government need to force tracking or reporting on its citizens when we so happily supply it with cell phones? Even turned off or on airplane mode, our phones track our whereabouts and tech companies are more than happy to fork over any requested data.
I should not be receiving notifications from Google Maps about the "anniversary" of that one time I ate at a restaurant. Likewise, I don't think any food delivery apps need to keep a track record of anywhere I've eaten 5 years ago.
I love this in theory. But as a busy exhausted mom this list is automatically overwhelming to me. Is there a way to make it less on the individual and more on the: here’s the groups we can make to help each other. Like for example, I don’t have the time and energy to go out of my way and utilize all of these fringe resources, so my mom (who’s retired) sometimes goes on fb but nothing for me or something. But like, somehow this feels like it needs to be organized more
Thank you so much for the comment! We also have two young kids (under 8), so I hear you—but you'll have to speak up, it's hard to understand with all the yelling in the background. 🤣
Personally, I'm doing what I do best, building tools to help people in this regard. https://neighborhoodshare.app is currently a tool-sharing app, but the roadmap is to extend it to many other features, including skill sharing and service sharing (such as babysitting exchanges). Feel free to message me with your thoughts on what you need as a busy mom. I know that we can find ways to address it, and then we can share those ideas with everyone else.
What we've done, and I know this will sound crazy, is we got even more involved with our kid's groups. We volunteer a lot. Initially, it made things harder—but suddenly, it got easier. Once we had started growing our community around the kids and the activities they were involved in we found ourselves with more people who were willing to help. Afternoons were freed up with people offering playdates. Other kids would come over, and our kids were occupied. We started having weekly movie nights on Fridays at our house, open to anyone to come over. People started bringing food, and we were making fewer meals. And this started a meal-sharing plan with other parents. Honestly, I was floored at how quickly it happened and grew.
What this taught me is that community is way more important than we are led to believe. We are told that we should be strong and independent and able to handle it all—but that is a lie fed to us to keep us dependent on the system.
This is such a great question! Thank you for bringing it up. Please let me know your thoughts. This clearly is worthy of a full article and I would love your feedback.
Yeah I think somehow child free folks and parents need to like team up or something haha. I almost have too much to say to even know where to begin but wow it sounds like you have such a beautiful community!
In general I think baby steps might be nice, like or even different sections for folks depending on their capacities. I know myself I have adhd and have lower capacity than maybe neurotypical people as far as complexity goes. I’m smart and all, but I can get overwhelmed land simplicity is my go-to
For me honestly the long term solution would be to live in an intentional community.
My whole family is "neurodivergent" but with different spicy flavors. So, maybe consider that you actually have a much HIGHER capacity than neurotypical folks, but that you need a different type of structure to keep from being overwhelmed.
I'll take into account the baby steps method. It's how I try to lay out all my articles: level 1, level 2, level 3 or here is where you can start, and this is what it can lead to. I'll be sure to follow up with you when I get this published and you can give me your feedback.
I'll be honest, the toughest part, in my opinion, is making yourself vulnerable to new people. The willingness to "go first" by introducing yourself, suggesting something, or inviting people into your space. But once you do it a couple of times, it gets easier. And, ultimately, the rewards of community are worth it.
This is a great concept and would love to hear more. !!
There is one major thing preventing people from living this way. Admitting they need or want help and then having the "courage" to ask. Most peoples egos won't allow this.
I wish NeighborhoodShare was available for the UK! We need more of these tools that are usable across the globe as these issues are not limited to the US!
I like the idea of a neighborhood tool library. Or other stuff in it too, so I don't know what it should be called. I have a lot of early reading teaching materials from when my son was struggling with reading and the school wasn't helping him (I bought curriculum online and worked with him at home). Now he doesn't need it anymore, but I haven't got rid of it. The idea of letting stiffens families use it as they need is appealing to me, though I don't know how that could work.
I also like the idea of community gardens. There are so many vacant lots in my town. But I don't know how something like that could be started, and I think the lord are probably private property anyway (with likely absentee landlords). I also had the idea of someone teaching cooking classes using the produce from community gardens, but workshop know how to make that happen either. I seem to be good at coming up with ideas, but have no idea how to do any of them!
I don't know what that is, but we do have Master Gardeners. I'm getting involved with them. There's also a VA greenhouse and garden that I'm heavily involved in and a farmers market. I usually take my extra produce to the VA and give it away, but I may try to sell it or give it away in my neighborhood this year. (Is all very well and good to talk about the downsides of exchanging money for labor and goods and services, but being completely self-sufficient is not possible for me, so I will continue to have a need for money, so I don't feel bad thinking about ways to earn some like selling produce or starts in the spring).
I hear you and I totally agree. There is freedom to be had in knowing how to cook meals from scratch, grow food, mend clothes, repair your home, and treat wounds and minor ailments. My training is in both mental health and background in medical care. My husband is a general contractor.
I live in the city in a 5 unit condominium complex. Three of the original owners still live here, and have been HOA officers for nearly 30 years. We do what we can ourselves to keep our costs low.
I’m in charge of the front planters. During the pandemic we experimented with growing vegetables, citrus, and herbs in pots on our patios. This year we’ve also been playing with the front planters, aerating the soil and composting our veggie scraps. In one section I’m trying my hand at growing potatoes.
We even have a neighborhood watch in place for the folks who share our common alley. I have a sense that when the need arises, we will be sharing food, skills and resources, along with emotional support. Unbeknownst to the rest of them, I’m stocked up on medical supplies and an ample pantry. My family has passed—and these are my family now.
Yeah, sorry about that. It’s in beta, and only really started in my neighborhood. I’m going to be setting up a means of creating a “Kick start” group in areas that are willing to get it started. If you’d be willing to put in a little leg work, and encourage people to join, let me know!
thank you so much for this article. these are things I’ve been thinking of; despite the stress and anxiety that accompanies what’s happening in our government I also have been considering that perhaps this may be an opportunity for major positive changes, not only in my own life but in the country itself because the wealth focused life isn’t working for many, many people. I was one of the so-called “hippy chicks” in the Vietnam War era and we tried to create a more communal way of life then, but sadly it did not last. I am more than happy to try it, hopefully more lasting and better. Again, thank you.
Love this! Just wrote about the same today but from the perspective of financial stress. Totally agree. Let's keep the conversation going. Who knows, it might shift something 🙂👍
You know, US consumer spending just posted its first drop in nearly two years, and sentiment has cratered 32% as tariff fears collide with sticky inflation - your timing on this piece is perfect. What's telling is that even high-income households are now trading down to private labels and smaller pack sizes, which proves your point that this isn't about being poor, it's about the whole "earn more to buy convenience" system finally breaking down. When six-figure earners are clipping coupons, that's not a personal finance problem - that's the exact structural trap you're describing, where financial "security" is really just expensive dependency dressed up as lifestyle optimization.
A story I think you will appreciate:
The rich industrialist was horrified to find the fisherman lying beside his boat, smoking a pipe.
'Why aren't you out fishing?' asked the industrialist.
'Because I have caught enough fish for the day,'
'Why don't you catch some more?'
'What would I do with them?'
"You could earn more money. Then you could have a motor fitted to your boat to go into deeper waters and catch more fish. Then you would have enough money to buy nylon nets. These would bring you more fish and own two boats
one two boy. Soon yay weven a reenot boamoney to
Then you would be a rich man like me.'
'What would I do then?'
'Then you could sit back and enjoy life!'
"What do you think I'm doing right now?'
From Timeless Simplicity by John Lane
Love it!
I’m really enjoying this series Mike, a practical antidote to despair right now 🙏 I’d be keen to give the assistant a go!
I’ve already started in our garden, and am on the hunt for a community space where we can make compost and grow 🤩
When stability and status are based on what you have,
then it is under constant threat of being taken away.
The system offers minimal improvements to one’s sense of stability as they gain more wealth.
But true freedom and stability comes from being a valued member of community, based on who someone is, not what they have.
This kind of stability reduces that very threat from the system. The more we lean on one another, the less leverage can be held over us.
That’s why the system incentivizes for individualism, bc it isolates us and breaks down the trust bonds of community, keeping us too afraid to trust one another for our shared stability.
Well said! Thank you!
I love the idea of reclaiming one of my dependencies. I think I'll start with learning a new skill to repair something (rather than outsourcing that labor).
I’m glad the ideas are resonating with you! And am over joyed (and a bit proud) that you’re committed to taking the first steps!
Really enjoyed reading this! Similar has been mind in regards to surveillance culture - why would the government need to force tracking or reporting on its citizens when we so happily supply it with cell phones? Even turned off or on airplane mode, our phones track our whereabouts and tech companies are more than happy to fork over any requested data.
I should not be receiving notifications from Google Maps about the "anniversary" of that one time I ate at a restaurant. Likewise, I don't think any food delivery apps need to keep a track record of anywhere I've eaten 5 years ago.
I definitely started reclaiming in my garden by setting up a rain barrel for watering my plants - both edible annuals and natives
I love this in theory. But as a busy exhausted mom this list is automatically overwhelming to me. Is there a way to make it less on the individual and more on the: here’s the groups we can make to help each other. Like for example, I don’t have the time and energy to go out of my way and utilize all of these fringe resources, so my mom (who’s retired) sometimes goes on fb but nothing for me or something. But like, somehow this feels like it needs to be organized more
Thank you so much for the comment! We also have two young kids (under 8), so I hear you—but you'll have to speak up, it's hard to understand with all the yelling in the background. 🤣
Personally, I'm doing what I do best, building tools to help people in this regard. https://neighborhoodshare.app is currently a tool-sharing app, but the roadmap is to extend it to many other features, including skill sharing and service sharing (such as babysitting exchanges). Feel free to message me with your thoughts on what you need as a busy mom. I know that we can find ways to address it, and then we can share those ideas with everyone else.
What we've done, and I know this will sound crazy, is we got even more involved with our kid's groups. We volunteer a lot. Initially, it made things harder—but suddenly, it got easier. Once we had started growing our community around the kids and the activities they were involved in we found ourselves with more people who were willing to help. Afternoons were freed up with people offering playdates. Other kids would come over, and our kids were occupied. We started having weekly movie nights on Fridays at our house, open to anyone to come over. People started bringing food, and we were making fewer meals. And this started a meal-sharing plan with other parents. Honestly, I was floored at how quickly it happened and grew.
What this taught me is that community is way more important than we are led to believe. We are told that we should be strong and independent and able to handle it all—but that is a lie fed to us to keep us dependent on the system.
This is such a great question! Thank you for bringing it up. Please let me know your thoughts. This clearly is worthy of a full article and I would love your feedback.
Yeah I think somehow child free folks and parents need to like team up or something haha. I almost have too much to say to even know where to begin but wow it sounds like you have such a beautiful community!
In general I think baby steps might be nice, like or even different sections for folks depending on their capacities. I know myself I have adhd and have lower capacity than maybe neurotypical people as far as complexity goes. I’m smart and all, but I can get overwhelmed land simplicity is my go-to
For me honestly the long term solution would be to live in an intentional community.
My whole family is "neurodivergent" but with different spicy flavors. So, maybe consider that you actually have a much HIGHER capacity than neurotypical folks, but that you need a different type of structure to keep from being overwhelmed.
I'll take into account the baby steps method. It's how I try to lay out all my articles: level 1, level 2, level 3 or here is where you can start, and this is what it can lead to. I'll be sure to follow up with you when I get this published and you can give me your feedback.
I'll be honest, the toughest part, in my opinion, is making yourself vulnerable to new people. The willingness to "go first" by introducing yourself, suggesting something, or inviting people into your space. But once you do it a couple of times, it gets easier. And, ultimately, the rewards of community are worth it.
This is a great concept and would love to hear more. !!
There is one major thing preventing people from living this way. Admitting they need or want help and then having the "courage" to ask. Most peoples egos won't allow this.
I wish NeighborhoodShare was available for the UK! We need more of these tools that are usable across the globe as these issues are not limited to the US!
I’ll get it there! I just started it last month. So when you get it we should have some kinks worked out.
Thank you for letting me know!
I like the idea of a neighborhood tool library. Or other stuff in it too, so I don't know what it should be called. I have a lot of early reading teaching materials from when my son was struggling with reading and the school wasn't helping him (I bought curriculum online and worked with him at home). Now he doesn't need it anymore, but I haven't got rid of it. The idea of letting stiffens families use it as they need is appealing to me, though I don't know how that could work.
I also like the idea of community gardens. There are so many vacant lots in my town. But I don't know how something like that could be started, and I think the lord are probably private property anyway (with likely absentee landlords). I also had the idea of someone teaching cooking classes using the produce from community gardens, but workshop know how to make that happen either. I seem to be good at coming up with ideas, but have no idea how to do any of them!
Are there any Permaculture Design groups near you? I have found Permaculture Design useful in helping turn some ideas into reality
I don't know what that is, but we do have Master Gardeners. I'm getting involved with them. There's also a VA greenhouse and garden that I'm heavily involved in and a farmers market. I usually take my extra produce to the VA and give it away, but I may try to sell it or give it away in my neighborhood this year. (Is all very well and good to talk about the downsides of exchanging money for labor and goods and services, but being completely self-sufficient is not possible for me, so I will continue to have a need for money, so I don't feel bad thinking about ways to earn some like selling produce or starts in the spring).
I hear you and I totally agree. There is freedom to be had in knowing how to cook meals from scratch, grow food, mend clothes, repair your home, and treat wounds and minor ailments. My training is in both mental health and background in medical care. My husband is a general contractor.
I live in the city in a 5 unit condominium complex. Three of the original owners still live here, and have been HOA officers for nearly 30 years. We do what we can ourselves to keep our costs low.
I’m in charge of the front planters. During the pandemic we experimented with growing vegetables, citrus, and herbs in pots on our patios. This year we’ve also been playing with the front planters, aerating the soil and composting our veggie scraps. In one section I’m trying my hand at growing potatoes.
We even have a neighborhood watch in place for the folks who share our common alley. I have a sense that when the need arises, we will be sharing food, skills and resources, along with emotional support. Unbeknownst to the rest of them, I’m stocked up on medical supplies and an ample pantry. My family has passed—and these are my family now.
It’s a Great Idea! I signed up for the Neighborhood Share unbeknownst to me Nothing in Tempe AZ at this time☹️
Yeah, sorry about that. It’s in beta, and only really started in my neighborhood. I’m going to be setting up a means of creating a “Kick start” group in areas that are willing to get it started. If you’d be willing to put in a little leg work, and encourage people to join, let me know!
I know nothing about these things but, I could try! How Rad if this goes off like a Wildfire!!!! It’s so time to Rip the System🙌🏽🌈🙏🏽✨💪🏽
It’s up to us to start it. No one else is going to save us.
thank you so much for this article. these are things I’ve been thinking of; despite the stress and anxiety that accompanies what’s happening in our government I also have been considering that perhaps this may be an opportunity for major positive changes, not only in my own life but in the country itself because the wealth focused life isn’t working for many, many people. I was one of the so-called “hippy chicks” in the Vietnam War era and we tried to create a more communal way of life then, but sadly it did not last. I am more than happy to try it, hopefully more lasting and better. Again, thank you.
I'd like to try
Love this! Just wrote about the same today but from the perspective of financial stress. Totally agree. Let's keep the conversation going. Who knows, it might shift something 🙂👍
Feel free to post a link back to your writing!
Love to hear your thoughts. 😀 https://substack.com/@tanyafallenius/note/p-165685083?r=5cvini
Count me in!
You know, US consumer spending just posted its first drop in nearly two years, and sentiment has cratered 32% as tariff fears collide with sticky inflation - your timing on this piece is perfect. What's telling is that even high-income households are now trading down to private labels and smaller pack sizes, which proves your point that this isn't about being poor, it's about the whole "earn more to buy convenience" system finally breaking down. When six-figure earners are clipping coupons, that's not a personal finance problem - that's the exact structural trap you're describing, where financial "security" is really just expensive dependency dressed up as lifestyle optimization.