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Wage Slave Rebel Dispatch
Lifestyle Design is Still Alive
[Photo Credit: FloweryLuza*]
[Note from JD: Last week I published a post called "Lifestyle Design is Dead" in which I laid out my belief that "Lifestyle Design" was getting to be yet another vague buzzword that's becoming mostly useless to anyone serious about living the life they want to live. The post was met with a mix of agreement and disagreement, but the most vocal and lively commentary was provided by Sonicsuns (Visit his blog at supersonicfreedom.net). This is his official rebuttal.]
Recently, Mr. JD Bentley wrote a post entitled “How to Find Your Core in a Shell of Ambiguity“. In it, he declared that “[Lifestyle Design] doesn’t mean anything.” He later wrote another post which laid it out explicitly: “Lifestyle Design is Dead“.
And I thought: What?
Now, there are some good points in these posts. For instance:
- You should understand yourself, who you really are, and what you really want in life.
- You should find your own path. Don’t blindly follow templates, not even cool-sounding ones like “Lifestyle Designer”.
- You should have a strong work ethic and the right attitude.
These are all good points. But for now, I’ll focus on the idea that Lifestyle Design is dead, and that the term “Lifestyle Design” is meaningless.
Really, JD?
JD’s argument goes something like this:
- Lifestyle – noun – The way in which a person lives. Design - noun – The art or action of conceiving of and producing a plan to show the look and function of an object before it is built.
- The definition of “Lifestyle Design” doesn’t require a good plan, just a plan.
- The phrase “Lifestyle Design” in and of itself has no valuable meaning.
- “Lifestyle Design” is the Barack Obama of phrases. A few highly positive but ambiguous ideas were attached to it (Freedom, Travel, Wealth) so that it could become a blank slate on which anyone could write all their positive aspirations, whatever they might be.
- Conclusion: Lifestyle Design is Dead!
So what does JD propose as an alternative? Passion and Care. He writes: “Passion and Care [...] those words certainly have meaning.”
Look, JD, I agree that we should pursue our Passions, and we should definitely Care for others. But if you’re going to dismiss all terms that seem vague, you’ll end up dismissing your own terms.
Here, using your own logic:
- Passion – noun – Any great, powerful emotion, especially love or hate. (also: fervor, determination)
- The definition of passion doesn’t require a good emotion, just an emotion.
- The word “Passion” in and of itself has no valuable meaning.
- Passion is the Barack Obama of words. A few highly positive but ambiguous ideas were attached to it (Goals, Freedom, Art) so that it could become a blank slate on which anyone could write all their positive aspirations, whatever they might be.
- Conclusion: Passion is Dead!
Here’s the crux of it: This entire argument is based on semantics.
Definition
By and large, definitions are determined by popular agreement. The only reason that “duck” means “duck” is because (English-speaking) people generally agree on what it means.
We don’t just define words; we also define phrases. Take this phrase for instance:
“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”
What does it mean? Well, if you’re into U.S. politics, you know that “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” means “the policy whereby the United States government prohibits homosexual persons from openly serving in the military.”
The words themselves do not contain this information. But they have that definition, because the public said so. (For proof, check Google or Wikipedia)
We’ve collectively decided to use this short (and admittedly vague) phrase to signify the larger concept. Why? Because it would be really friggin’ annoying to call it “The policy whereby the United States government prohibits homosexual persons from openly serving in the military” all the time.
The True Meaning of Lifestyle Design
So what does “Lifestyle Design” really mean, anyway? Let’s examine some options:
Option #1 – The Literal Words Themselves
This is the approach JD took. He wrote: “Anyone currently alive actively designs their lifestyle, for good or for bad. If you’ve ever made a choice, you’re a lifestyle designer.”
Oh, come on, JD. Almost no one defines the term like that.
People design their own lives with varying degrees of consciousness. Many people simply drift, going with the flow, with very little thought about what they really want in life. Other people drive, doing what’s best for them regardless of popular opinion, with tremendous focus on what they really want.
In short, everyone “designs” their own lifestyle, but only a few are truly conscious of it.
If “Lifestyle Designer” includes even those people who don’t consciously design their own lifestyles, then “Interior Decorator” must include even those people who don’t consciously decorate interiors.
Because, hey, technically we’re all Interior Decorators. Every time you enter a room, every time you touch something, you are changing that environment and thus you are decorating that interior, whether you intend to or not.
This might be interesting for philosophy, but it does not help at all with regards to a functional definition.
Option #2 – A Broad Idea
“Lifestyle Design” simply means the active, conscious design of one’s lifestyle, as opposed to simply going along with popular assumptions.
Option #3 – The Tim Ferriss Approach
“Lifestyle Design” typically involves:
- Passive Income (generating much money with little work, usually via an internet business)
- Being Unconventional
- Some minimalism with regards to personal possessions
- Travel (living in an “exotic” location, and/or moving around frequently)
- Saving money, but not for it’s own sake (there’ no point of having a million dollars in your bank account just for the bragging rights. Money should be used to follow your dreams)
- Doing what you’re passionate about (now that you have all that free time from completing point 1)
- Having a good life
Bringing it together
Option #1 is just silly, so “Lifestyle Design” is either Options 2 and 3, or it’s just Option 3. To clear up any confusion, allow me to propose a new phrase:
The Ferrissian Lifestyle
(Named after Tim Ferriss, of course).
“The Ferrissian Lifestyle” shall refer strictly to Option #3 up there, and not to the broader idea of Option #2.
One way or the other, Lifestyle Design involves actively living the best life possible.
And that idea will never die.
This post, which was written by Sonicsuns, is licensed under Creative Commons BY-NC-SA ( http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/)
All other posts on the Wage Slave Rebel site are the property of JD Bentley, and are not affected by this statement.
Related posts
- Lifestyle Design is Dead
- Lifestyle Design Journey: Session 3
- Lifestyle Design for Normal People: Four Baby Steps Toward Absolute Freedom
- The Beginner’s Guide to Lifestyle Design
- Lifestyle Design Journey: Session 5
I agree with your post, very well laid out and argued. However, I think you are missing one critical ingredient that is often overlooked: that we are all unique and not the same. Each of us must prioritize and create a life according to our own passions, needs and values. There can be no template for true Lifestyle Design – it will be hyper-personalized because no two lives are the same.
As such, I suggest a slightly modified conclusion:
Lifestyle Design involves actively living the best life possible – for you.
I agree. Everyone is unique and should follow their own path. Perhaps I should have stated that more explicitly in the post. .-= Sonicsuns´s last blog ..Adblock =-.
You sure opened up a can of worms, JD
Good for you and good for your blog.
Rasheed .-= Rasheed Hooda´s last blog ..My First Honest Blog Post =-.
This is an issue I’ve thought about and discussed in depth with others in the past. The problem is that the terms used are very broad even when you single out option 3. Everyone has their own version of the dream lifestyle, location and method to support it. Techincally speaking these two following people are both lifestyle designers:
Harry has been a copywriter for a big business in America and now wants to become a freelance travel writer who is constantly globe trotting with just enough possesions to survive and hopes to visit every country in the world.
Sally has been a teacher in the UK and wants to settle in a rural area of Thailand where she not only teaches English as a foreign language but spends her spare time and money to develop the schooling system within her area.
Now under ‘Option 3′ both of these people are lifestyle designers however they are seeking essentially very different things. This not an issue since you should be following your own desires, not somebody elses template by definition. However often these people will then go on to form communities together and look to the same places for sources of information and inspiration.
At this stage you will find that these people have such a passion for their way of living that they can only relate to the driving emotion rather than the physical goals of the other person. The result is a community that is based around emotional and social support rather than practical advice.
When people begin their path from one of these communities they will eventually reach a point where they need to break out and actually take action to find make their dream a reality of their own back OR find an alternate community that can offer them the educational support that is required to make that change.
It’s this last distinction where I think people may become lost, you simply can’t rely on the “Lifestyle Design” communtiy as a whole to give you practical advice for your particular lifestyle choices. It’s possible that a sub-section or a few of the community members will be able to give you that guidance or you will will find a mentor who has taken your path prior, that directly or indirectly relays their advice on to you.
In summary to embrace the world of Lifestyle Design and true choice you must be prepared to take full responsibility for making the journey. When you set a goal for yourself you will need to find the right paths to get there yourself. Although many will be able to relate to the concept of Lifestyle Design as a whole, your desires are very much your own and every person involved in the community is still an individual with their own goals, aspirations and world view. .-= Daniel McClure´s last blog ..Anyone else going to Stompernet Live Nine? =-.
Correct. “Lifestyle Design” is still pretty broad, even when narrowed to The Ferrissian Lifestyle specifically. But of course, that doesn’t mean that the term is worthless.
Broad ideas accommodate more people, but they provide fewer specifics (i.e. educational support) Narrow ideas provide more specifics, but they accommodate fewer people (because everyone is unique, and they have to follow their own path)
So what we really need is both. Broad ideas like “lifestyle design”, broken up into narrower ideas like “teaching English in Thailand”.
In a sense, “Lifestyle Design” is like “cooking’, while “teaching English in Thailand” is a specific recipe. .-= Sonicsuns´s last blog ..Adblock =-.
Thank you for posting this response. He makes some really good points.
I still think JD is essentially right. Lifestyle design is attractive because it is was not mainstream when it was articulated so well by Tim Ferris. It is becoming more mainstream very quickly and now we can rebel against it because it seems so cliche’. In this speed-of-light world we live in we will all regard lifestyle design as a blip on the radar on very soon. That doesn’t make what it stands for bad, but its not some kind of new religion like some people are trying to make it. .-= Jarred´s last blog ..How Do You Judge Somebody? =-.
“Lifestyle design is attractive because it is was not mainstream when it was articulated so well by Tim Ferris”
Popularity shouldn’t be a part of attractiveness. Just as it’s wrong to assume that popular things are good, it’s also wrong to assume that popular things are bad. We shouldn’t assume anything; we should judge each idea by its own merits. Then we should do whatever’s best for us, regardless of popularity. .-= Sonicsuns´s last blog ..Adblock =-.
Sorry, but this whole debate strikes me as a bit stupid. There is no one-size-fits-all definition of lifestyle design and the term obviously represents a numbers of related ideas. Put away the dictionary, look at the big picture, and realize that lifestyle design is like pornography – you know it when you see it and it’s pretty clear when people aren’t free to live their lives as they would prefer. Lifestyle design didn’t begin with Tim Ferriss, won’t end there, and will continue to be a goal and life experience for many people. .-= Jay Horowitz – OurTakeOnFreedom´s last blog ..The Most Compelling Personal Finance Argument I Have Ever Seen =-.
[...] I was thrilled to have the opportunity. The post is titled “Lifestyle Design is Still Alive”. You can read it here. [...]
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