Define "Normal"

fenrael23: Define "Normal"

They are just yuppies.

"Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen nineteen and six, result happiness. Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pounds ought and six, result misery." - Charles Dickens, David Copperfield

Yawns hate ostentation.

They sure do! That's why they're talking to USA Today about how much money they give away.

"Yawns are a subset of a growing global movement of the eco-socially aware"
Eco-Socially Aware...Self-Righteousness without all the religious baggage.

I kinda fit into this.

I make 4.5x the average income in my city. My wife does not work, she stays at home. We drive a used Honda Pilot (I have a company car that I don't pay for). We live in 1600sqft with a daughter. we have zero consumer debt, and my wife clips coupons. we pack away money for retirement and my daughter's college tuition.

But there is a big departure between us and the douchebags in the article--is that the 'bags in the article take things too far. to a point where it's comical, what they do.

if they had their way, the entire country would be drying strips of meat on pavement and the wives would be mashing cornmeal for the day's meal.

it's stupid. I save and practice frugality for the purposes of greed--I want more money. I practice frugality for a rainy day--you know, kinda like when I get buttforked by a tax hike, or when social security goes bankrupt and I'm on the hook for 100% of my retirement and healthcare

Before reading TFA, I had assumed the "Young, Wealthy, Normal" part meant there were actually trust-fund babies out there who didn't dress like Paris Hilton, make sex tapes, waste their lives on drugs and $5K handbag, or walk around with their coochies hanging out.

Nope, just people who were decent folks in the first place and who worked hard, and decided to give cash away instead of living ostentatiously. That might have been more "normal" for a past era, but it's certainly not now.

YAWBN?

fark the rich who think that they can validate their power by being "socially responsible."

Oroblanco: Yawns hate ostentation.

They sure do! That's why they're talking to USA Today about how much money they give away.

THIS.
There is one reason why I still love South Park--because they can spot this kind of shiat a mile away and lambast the crap out of it.





I hate smug, self-righteous arsewipes.

deadapostle: fark the rich who think that they can validate their power by being "socially responsible."

Fark the poor who think they have any claim on any wealth or power I have. I didn't make it by stealing it.

/Ayn Rand FTW

AlgertMan: fenrael23: Define "Normal"

They are just yuppies.

Damn right.

thalidomide new and improved: if they had their way, the entire country would be drying strips of meat on pavement and the wives would be mashing cornmeal for the day's meal.

it's stupid. I save and practice frugality for the purposes of greed--I want more money. I practice frugality for a rainy day--you know, kinda like when I get buttforked by a tax hike, or when social security goes bankrupt and I'm on the hook for 100% of my retirement and healthcare

only one of those people was reported as being super eco-friendly. The other guy just seemed to donate to high schools and museums in the community.

/funny that somehow farkers find a way to criticize millionaires who do something worthwhile with their money

thalidomide new and improved: deadapostle: fark the rich who think that they can validate their power by being "socially responsible."

Fark the poor who think they have any claim on any wealth or power I have. I didn't make it by stealing it.

/Ayn Rand FTW

I agree, but I'm not opposed to the wealthy. I'm opposed to rich guilt.

to this article I say ... yawn

deadapostle: fark the rich who think that they can validate their power by being "socially responsible."

What power? One of those guys was probably a grunt at google that started at the bottom and cashed out. What power does he have?

Now he has millions upon millions, and he's giving most of it away. Why is there something wrong with that?

/jealousy?

deadapostle: I agree, but I'm not opposed to the wealthy. I'm opposed to rich guilt.

AHHHH---excellent. Good form.

Anyone else noticing that vgt is stuck at permabottom because he tried to be first? I applaud the mod who did that.

But on to the real reason I came here, to point out that hating smug, self-righteous arsewipes can, in a way, be a form of being a smug self-righteous arsewipe. I have no problem with this, however.

Now onto the actual article, I'm glad people are doing this. I tend to be fairly frugal, except on some occasional stupid spending binges . . . e.g. last night's drinking spree. Anyways, if that is what they are into, more power to them. . . as long as they don't try to get it legistlated into mandation.

rga184: only one of those people was reported as being super eco-friendly. The other guy just seemed to donate to high schools and museums in the community.

/funny that somehow farkers find a way to criticize millionaires who do something worthwhile with their money

I just see it as a huge waste of potential. The one guy spent money on a public transportation system to bus casino workers to work?

Casinos contribute to the perpetuation of poverty and crime in any given city. Looking at it from the White Liberal Guilt perspective, this assclown is contributing to the problem.

What a douchebag--he should have spent his millions on a tuition endowment to provide scholarships to casino workers who want to make something better of themselves.

or, just spent it on himself and the pursuit of happiness. As long as there are rich people around, there will be poor assholes willing to enable their guilt and funnel away their wealth.

I'm all for living a low-cost, low-waste life but this (FTA):

Rik Wehbring, a 37-year-old dot.com millionaire - he worked for multiple start-ups - limits himself to living on $50,000 a year. That's no chump change but well below what he could spend in San Francisco, where his rent eats up 40% of his allotted spending. Wehbring doesn't own a television, his mp3 player cost $20 ("and it works just fine") and he drives (when he drives) a Toyota Prius.

He buys most of his food from local farmers' markets, is leaving the bulk of his estate to various environmental organizations and donates money to what he considers worthy causes. Everyday, he grapples with "how to live a low-carbon life."

Just sounds like being a smug git. And a whiny one at that.

thalidomide new and improved: There is one reason why I still love South Park--because they can spot this kind of shiat a mile away and lambast the crap out of it.

You know, I love South Park too. They seem to most of the time have their finger on the pulse. But it's a farking cartoon. And most of the time they're not even trying to make a political point. They're just looking for somebody to make fun of.

Ironically, it's the epitomy of smugness to point and laugh at anybody who cares more than passingly about anything that's going on in the world (whether it be the environment or anything else). You think you're better than somebody and are being just as smug about it as you accuse them of being.

"Look at me. I don't give a shiat about anything. Let me laugh at people who do!"

But hey, they ARE funny. And I do watch the show, so maybe I can't talk much. But at least I don't base my politics on what Matt and Trey think about environmentalism or whatever other issue they see an easy target on. You know why? It's an easy way to point out to other farkers that you can't think for yourself. And though South Park is pretty funny, it's still pretty pathetic that you people post a cartoon to bolster your pathetic hate for anybody who gives a shiat about anything you think yourself too good for.

/for the record, I would never buy a Prius.

Ho-boy, we have a Randroid.

rga184: You think you're better than somebody and are being just as smug about it as you accuse them of being.

I don't think I'm better than anyone else. I see behavior that's funny, and laugh at it.

I know a lot of people would laugh at the stuff I do--but I make it a point not to talk to USAToday asshats.

/I'd drive a prius, but not because I give a shiat about the environment, but because I'm not interested in spending any more money at the pump than absolutely necessary. if a prius becomes cost effective, and I have a need for a new car, I just might.

They could donate some money to the Flibbert fund. I promise to do my part by saving electricity and creating more aluminum for recycling by drinking beer out on my deck all summer.

blahpers: Ho-boy, we have a Randroid.

she makes some valid points, pal.

thalidomide new and improved: I just see it as a huge waste of potential. The one guy spent money on a public transportation system to bus casino workers to work?

Casinos contribute to the perpetuation of poverty and crime in any given city. Looking at it from the White Liberal Guilt perspective, this assclown is contributing to the problem.

What a douchebag--he should have spent his millions on a tuition endowment to provide scholarships to casino workers who want to make something better of themselves.

or, just spent it on himself and the pursuit of happiness. As long as there are rich people around, there will be poor assholes willing to enable their guilt and funnel away their wealth.

I agree that the casino bit seems pretty lame. I don't know how the overal economics of casinos works out. I've seen them bring in a lot of oustide money (like the one in BFE central Michigan), but I've also seen them be pretty harmful (like the ones in Detroit).

But what's the alternative? You say it would actually be BETTER if this guy just went out and bought himself a couple of ferraris? I mean, is that more helpful or acceptable to society than your so-called guilt? The guy built a stadium and gym for a school. How many jobs did that provide to the community during the building of it? For that matter, the public transportation infrastructure probably provided jobs while it was being built as well (or if it was buses, secured UAW jobs for another month). And though a scholarship would have been a better idea, cheap public transportation may free up enough of a workers budget to afford night school if they need it.

I don't claim that this guy did the smartest things. My idea would be to sponsor kids from my mom's and dad's towns in Mexico (both incredibly poor and isolated) all the way from kindergarten through college with the condition that they must donate time or money to their community once they're successful. But I'm going for the lowest hanging fruit.

This guy isn't being terribly efficient about it, but I think he benefits society more than somebody who would get a McMansion, a Ferrari and new boobs for his wife. So for all the criticism these people are going to get from all these smug farkers, I can't for the life of me think how they can be any worse than some asshat living in orange county snapping his fingers at the help.

HOPWhiteyFord: Anyone else noticing that vgt is stuck at permabottom because he tried to be first? I applaud the mod who did that.


Try? There is no 'try' ...

thalidomide new and improved: I don't think I'm better than anyone else. I see behavior that's funny, and laugh at it.

You're laughing at the way some people choose to live their lives. I think that's the epitome of smug.

Why not call them RESPONSIBLE? Let's just hope this isn't the lastest fashionable cause that will be gone in a few years. Back in the days of YUPPIES, the rest of us were the YAWNS of the world.

-1, Subby, for truly inappropriate use of the INTERESTING tag.

I'd just call myself smart. Myself and my fiance (both 28) make 2-3x the average in my area and she drives a used 2000 Buick Century, and I have a 06 Scion Xa which was bought before gas went nuts and simply because I do a ton of commuting and it was silly to sit idling in anything fancier.

We own a house, have zero debt, and I pack away 50% of my income to investments and retirement accounts. My only goal is to retire as quickly as possible (50-55) and do some traveling while we are young. I don't get sucked into standard consumer mentality and I live as if I made just above minimum wage which still affords us luxuries at times and dinners out at nice restaurants.

We buy quality and just what we need, no more no less. Call that a YAWN, Yuppie, Hippie, whatever you want.

rga184: deadapostle: fark the rich who think that they can validate their power by being "socially responsible."

What power? One of those guys was probably a grunt at google that started at the bottom and cashed out. What power does he have?

Now he has millions upon millions, and he's giving most of it away. Why is there something wrong with that?

/jealousy?

Money isn't the only form of power, but millions of dollars does afford a person a certain amount of power in and of itself.

fenrael23: Define "Normal"

Yeah, define young too, because if you are young and wealthy, that's not normal.

rga184: thalidomide new and improved: I just see it as a huge waste of potential. The one guy spent money on a public transportation system to bus casino workers to work?

Casinos contribute to the perpetuation of poverty and crime in any given city. Looking at it from the White Liberal Guilt perspective, this assclown is contributing to the problem.

What a douchebag--he should have spent his millions on a tuition endowment to provide scholarships to casino workers who want to make something better of themselves.

or, just spent it on himself and the pursuit of happiness. As long as there are rich people around, there will be poor assholes willing to enable their guilt and funnel away their wealth.

I agree that the casino bit seems pretty lame. I don't know how the overal economics of casinos works out. I've seen them bring in a lot of oustide money (like the one in BFE central Michigan), but I've also seen them be pretty harmful (like the ones in Detroit).

But what's the alternative? You say it would actually be BETTER if this guy just went out and bought himself a couple of ferraris? I mean, is that more helpful or acceptable to society than your so-called guilt? The guy built a stadium and gym for a school. How many jobs did that provide to the community during the building of it? For that matter, the public transportation infrastructure probably provided jobs while it was being built as well (or if it was buses, secured UAW jobs for another month). And though a scholarship would have been a better idea, cheap public transportation may free up enough of a workers budget to afford night school if they need it.

I don't claim that this guy did the smartest things. My idea would be to sponsor kids from my mom's and dad's towns in Mexico (both incredibly poor and isolated) all the way from kindergarten through college with the condition that they must donate time or money to their community once they're successful. But I'm going for the lowest hanging fruit.

This guy isn't being terribly efficient about it, but I think he benefits society more than somebody who would get a McMansion, a Ferrari and new boobs for his wife. So for all the criticism these people are going to get from all these smug farkers, I can't for the life of me think how they can be any worse than some asshat living in orange county snapping his fingers at the help.

Wow, excessively passionate, AND completely missing the point. You're making yourself a prime target for upcoming South Parks!

rainstorm: I don't get sucked into standard consumer mentality and I live as if I made just above minimum wage which still affords us luxuries at times and dinners out at nice restaurants.

Perhaps you don't truly understand what minimum wage really is.

Otherwise, I think your financial sensibilities are well founded. Conservative living will help you reach your goals, as you already know.

thalidomide new and improved: I'd drive a prius, but not because I give a shiat about the environment

The environment is more than just global warming. For all the fun South Park made of Al Gore, Matt and Trey's brilliance can be conveniently absent on some issues. The environment is also the quality of the air you breathe, the quality of the water you drink, and the quality of the food you eat.

I'm not saying that a Prius is the answer to that (I don't think it is, neither do I think it's economical), but saying you don't give a shiat about the environment tells me you don't mind breathing this 16 times per minute:



So fine, Matt and Trey told you not to believe in global warming. There's still reasons to actually be concerned about the environment. Some other South Park fans might call you "smug" if you do, but that's just a risk you'll have to take.

flup: Wow, excessively passionate, AND completely missing the point. You're making yourself a prime target for upcoming South Parks!

Yeah, watch out. Do they pay royalties?

Meh, there have always been rich people who are kind to others and socially aware, just like there have always been those who aren't. The media apparently just needs a new acronym this week.

rga184: So fine, Matt and Trey told you not to believe in global warming.

Actually, the SP episode in question didn't deny the possibility of global warning. Stan even said driving hybrids might save the planet; but that people would have to do it without being smug.

thisispete: "Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen nineteen and six, result happiness. Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pounds ought and six, result misery." - Charles Dickens, David Copperfield

I can't read this, or any other of that character's lines, without imagining it in W.C. Field's voice.

"yawns" are just yuppies that don't like the idea of being a yuppie. They will, however, learn to embrace it eventually.

The_Gallant_Gallstone: Actually, the SP episode in question didn't deny the possibility of global warning. Stan even said driving hybrids might save the planet; but that people would have to do it without being smug.

I was referring to the other SPR (South Park Republican) cliche, ManBearPig episode.

rga184: thalidomide new and improved: I'd drive a prius, but not because I give a shiat about the environment

The environment is more than just global warming. For all the fun South Park made of Al Gore, Matt and Trey's brilliance can be conveniently absent on some issues. The environment is also the quality of the air you breathe, the quality of the water you drink, and the quality of the food you eat.

I'm not saying that a Prius is the answer to that (I don't think it is, neither do I think it's economical), but saying you don't give a shiat about the environment tells me you don't mind breathing this 16 times per minute:



So fine, Matt and Trey told you not to believe in global warming. There's still reasons to actually be concerned about the environment. Some other South Park fans might call you "smug" if you do, but that's just a risk you'll have to take.

I live in Vermont, the air is perfect. I can afford any food I wish. I am in no danger of flooding or drought. The winters are still quite cold. I care not at all for the environment, because I choose to live in a nice place. No one is forced to live in LA. I hate southern CA with a passion, having spent time there, I cannot understand why anyone would want to live there.

Wealth is quite a strange thing to have anyway. I earn around $1.6million a year (without having to work) thanks to being involved in some successful companies from their beginning (I am 25 years old now), and live in an average house in a normal part of greater London. The only things I really spend money on are travel, good food and electronics, but travel is the only one that I would not be able to afford on a regular wage (about $100,000/year). The rest of my post-tax income goes into investments to ensure that I never need to work again, and 10% gets allocated for philanthropy (kiva and unwfp generally).

I've certainly met enough wealthy and super-wealthy people to see that it can easily make you into a dickhead of various sorts (smug or pompous/superior or sheltered or a combination of all three), but likewise, the second someone realises you have money you are treated completely differently. People who are generally friendly people suddenly get intimidated or just start looking for things to hold against you to justify their feelings of social inequality, and this can make it quite unpleasant for those with money unless you start to fill the roles that are expected of you. It is not for any smug reasons I live the way I do, it is more that I simply prefer not being singled out and prefer having normal contact with people.

Rainstorm:...My only goal is to retire as quickly as possible (50-55) and do some traveling while we are young.

Uhhh...aren't you young right now?

Seriously, there is some strange American drive to enjoy life later rather than sooner. Could someone please explain this to me?

Thunderpipes: I live in Vermont, the air is perfect. I can afford any food I wish. I am in no danger of flooding or drought. The winters are still quite cold. I care not at all for the environment, because I choose to live in a nice place. No one is forced to live in LA. I hate southern CA with a passion, having spent time there, I cannot understand why anyone would want to live there.

OK, so everybody go live in Vermont with Thunderpipes because it's nice out there. Hopefully the couple of million new inhabitants in your city with no regard for air/water/food quality won't affect your quality of life.

/wouldn't live in southern CA either

I'm not surprised...but I am quite sleepy.

Get off my Yawn?

Interesting?

...No, not really.