Like all we are fortunate enough to receive, the effects upon ourselves are based upon how you use it. Of course, we have to acquire such resources through non-harmful means; e.g. it can't be theft or selling coke.
Regardless, if we use our resources to help others, that happiness will return to us from within us. There is only one source of happiness: to make others happy and then reap the benefits via the universe's natural karmic flow.
Most people are only concerned with selfish desires such that even their charity is for their own benefit, such as their public image or tax breaks. Truly doing something to help another human being -- without any self-concern save reaping the karmic happiness return -- is truly rare on Earth, but once one tastes that sweetest of nectars, one wants nothing else, ever. This world would be a different place if we human beings judged ROI in this most compassionate of ways.
Should have said legal secret money. If it just sits there, grows slowly and gives you the piece of mind to have in in case of an emergency I don't see pressure and paranoia.
Celebrity can be used to create ripples in the ideation of the masses, however, but that's a hard row to hoe, and only a rare few have the wisdom or good intentions to know where to begin. As well, the forces that facilitate celebrity tend to promote those who fit this modern apotheosis of vapid desire.
William Gibson, as usual, summed it up perfectly in Idoru:
“[Slitscan's audience] is best visualized as a vicious, lazy, profoundly ignorant, perpetually hungry organism craving the warm god-flesh of the anointed. Personally I like to imagine something the size of a baby hippo, the color of a week-old boiled potato, that lives by itself, in the dark, in a double-wide on the outskirts of Topeka. It's covered with eyes and it sweats constantly. The sweat runs into those eyes and makes them sting. It has no mouth, Laney, no genitals, and can only express its mute extremes of murderous rage and infantile desire by changing the channels on a universal remote. Or by voting in presidential elections.”
Recent events, especially here in America, only ever prove Mr. Gibson's understanding of the widespread lowness of the human condition. But all his "prescience" is really due to his profound humanity.
Would be interesting to learn how many other celebrities have had similar experiences but have not been caught. Given the tradecraft described, this wasn't their first rodeo.
Nothing will ever be as funny as Holmes' deep voice, though. The fact that she conned so many people is really one of the greatest modern examples of just how effing stupid most people are, especially those with a fair bit of power and money.
Celebrity and money are like a reality distortion field. I hope I never acquire either in large quantities - it does not seem like a desirable thing
Like all we are fortunate enough to receive, the effects upon ourselves are based upon how you use it. Of course, we have to acquire such resources through non-harmful means; e.g. it can't be theft or selling coke.
Regardless, if we use our resources to help others, that happiness will return to us from within us. There is only one source of happiness: to make others happy and then reap the benefits via the universe's natural karmic flow.
Most people are only concerned with selfish desires such that even their charity is for their own benefit, such as their public image or tax breaks. Truly doing something to help another human being -- without any self-concern save reaping the karmic happiness return -- is truly rare on Earth, but once one tastes that sweetest of nectars, one wants nothing else, ever. This world would be a different place if we human beings judged ROI in this most compassionate of ways.
Secret money is the best, but hard and rare. Celebrity without money the worst and I fully agree with you that I'd prefer to have neither.
Surely secret money comes with it's own pressures and paranoia?
Should have said legal secret money. If it just sits there, grows slowly and gives you the piece of mind to have in in case of an emergency I don't see pressure and paranoia.
Celebrity can be used to create ripples in the ideation of the masses, however, but that's a hard row to hoe, and only a rare few have the wisdom or good intentions to know where to begin. As well, the forces that facilitate celebrity tend to promote those who fit this modern apotheosis of vapid desire.
William Gibson, as usual, summed it up perfectly in Idoru:
“[Slitscan's audience] is best visualized as a vicious, lazy, profoundly ignorant, perpetually hungry organism craving the warm god-flesh of the anointed. Personally I like to imagine something the size of a baby hippo, the color of a week-old boiled potato, that lives by itself, in the dark, in a double-wide on the outskirts of Topeka. It's covered with eyes and it sweats constantly. The sweat runs into those eyes and makes them sting. It has no mouth, Laney, no genitals, and can only express its mute extremes of murderous rage and infantile desire by changing the channels on a universal remote. Or by voting in presidential elections.”
Recent events, especially here in America, only ever prove Mr. Gibson's understanding of the widespread lowness of the human condition. But all his "prescience" is really due to his profound humanity.
Interesting read. Took a bit of time to see that it's a kind of pre promotion for an upcoming Hollywood documentary on the man.
The wheel still turns. There's a few similar stories with the line "I never wanted to sell my soul, I just wanted the money"
Nevertheless I'd be curious to see the documentary, the hidden camera of the meetings with the Chinese spy would be very interesting!
I'm a little confused about what he actually did. The article mostly speaks about making connections and introducing people to each other. But:
> The concierge then hands him an envelope with orders to circle the block twice before receiving further instructions.
What was in that envelope?
It's worded quite badly, but I believe the envelope contained the written instructions to circle the block etc...
100m USD? No one makes that much money legitimately without a product and a large staff to show for it.
Would be interesting to learn how many other celebrities have had similar experiences but have not been caught. Given the tradecraft described, this wasn't their first rodeo.
That was a better read than I expected, thank you for sharing!
In the genre of: "post-conviction victim-image building". See also Liz Holmes pieces etc.
Not passing any judgement on this particular persons story, just a bit funny.
Yeah.
Nothing will ever be as funny as Holmes' deep voice, though. The fact that she conned so many people is really one of the greatest modern examples of just how effing stupid most people are, especially those with a fair bit of power and money.
Carreyrou's book and pod are truly excellent.