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To: puborectalis who wrote (84252)	6/23/1999 11:13:00 AM
From: Proud_Infidel	Respond to of 186894

OT Again Stephen, Personally, I enjoy investing and making money in the stock market. But I find the materialistic wantings of our society disgusting. IMHO, this is at the heart of all of our nation's ill's; we are in a state of spiritual atrophy. The following is a PM I wrote to another SI'er awhile back which I believe says it all for me: I am, more and more each day, a minimalist. I am beginning to eschew material things in favor of living a life of modesty. I like owning stocks as a security blanket so to speak. However, you will not see me spending my $$ on flashy cars, name brand clothes etc etc. I have sworn off all malls and will only buy something when it is on sale. I have also taken to shopping at 2nd hand shops. There is a great feeling in finding a bargain. The best things in life do not come easily. The same could be said for that pair of jeans you want. I find the materialistic wantings of our society at the root of all/most evils in our society. This was reinforced on my trip to Nepal this past April. The people there earned a meagre living(avg income $150/yr) yet were happier than my own nieces/nephews. I swore then that I would not raise my kids the way most are brought up; with expensive appetites and parents who will satiate them feeling they are helping their kids. This country is in a state of spiritual atrophy b/c of all of the "things" we need. We work 60 hrs/wk to buy the things we want and yet cannot enjoy them. Family ties are weaker than ever b/c of our schedules. The environment suffers. We suffer, feeling the stress of keeping up with the Joneses. It's a slippery slope that is not impossible to get off but difficult to admit to. Why? It feels good to have the things you want. But I've found that it feels better to deprive yourself of certain things and force yourself to wait before running out to buy that thing you need. It reinforces a feeling of self-control, something you don't have when you jump in the car and run to the mall. Anytime you want to discuss this, don't hesitate. These are things I feel strongly about. BTW, one of the reasons I am investing in the semis is b/c of my perception of them as pivotal in shaping the world as we will know it. If we are shareholders in these cos., in essence, we have a say in what the future will look like. Can you say the same about a company such as Nike? Regards, Brian