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Comment by sigmaprimus | Hacker News Reader

Don't Blab >>> This chapter/paragraph goes against everything I believe in, the entire opensource community is based on sharing. I am an aspiring farmer with a tech addiction and if it wasn't for people sharing their successes through YouTube and a lesser extent farmers that write books, this "City Boy" wouldn't have survived my first year on the farm. I also agree Internet sucks in the country, but it's still better than encyclopedias!!

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>> the entire opensource community is based on sharing

True. The primary purpose of open source is sharing, whether that is code or information. Open source is not opposed to making money, however making money is not the primary motivation for open source. It makes sense that best practices for how to make money can be different than the standard practices for open source.

And yet Barnum chose to publish "The Art of Money Getting" in the first place, breaking his own rule!

Here's what he said:

> Say nothing about your profits, your hopes, your expectations, your intentions.

So it doesn't appear that he's talking about sharing tutorials. Instead, he seems to be giving practical advice on not talking about money and business-tactics.

Good point, not sure why you deleted your comment. I will read the article when I get a chance. I did browse over it and found the line "there’s too many things that are important, even needed, or that fulfill us more than any profitable item, and yet are economically unsustainable." To be a sad but true statement. Sometimes I forget that I didn't get into farming to get rich, it is much more of a soul healing endeavour rather than a wealth accumulation exercise.

Hey sigmaprimus I'd love to hear more about your transition from "City Boy" to farmer! I'm thinking of taking the leap in a few years after saving "enough" capital. I can put my contact info in my bio if you have time to private message.

I am still in transition to be honest, I have finally got to the point that I am living full time on the farm now but have not managed to make a profit yet. Farming is a great lifestyle but the farming lifestyle is not a great business, not yet at least. I am planning on publishing a blog/vlog this year and will definitely share it with HN. If you are looking for some inspiration though, look into Joel Salatin,John Suscovich and Curtis Stone on YouTube.

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