icantdrive55

I remember going through some of my refrence books. I was deciding which one's to toss. I opened Encyclopedia of Psychiatry (vol. 1 and 2).

The first page I flipped to said, "A man of 50 will not make anymore money than he is currently making in his life." It was just so specific, or I I got the quote wrong? I recall looking at it a few times. It was personally depressing because I was broke, and hitting 50.

To this day, I think about that sentance, supposedly extrapolated from years of statistics.

Well, even though most of the wealthy people I have pesonally interacted with had the likability factor of a boat anchor; Warren Buffet seems like one of the wealthy the others should try to emulate. He is one of the guys I secretly root for.

We have a plastic surgeon, in in my county, that pissed off a lot of patients. She must have over 50 negative reviews. Well she sued most of them. I think the lawyer sued 45 of them. The judge ruled against all the lawsuits. All thrown out of court.

Now, the physician resorts to describing what was physically wrong with the patient online in a rebuttal. For instance, "Susan--you seemed happy when we removed those ugly brown spots I removed?"

I've been suprised she hasen't been accused of voilating HIPPA either.

I don't use Yelp. I honestly try to stay away from most doctors--just don't like most of them. Out of all the professions, MD's seem to dislike Yelp the most. Gone are the days where they can treat patients like dirt, and the patient has no recourse--other than dying. It's too bad that physicians are so arrogant. I don't get it. The last twenty years have exposed the profession to be so much of an art?

(I do try to recognize the Doctor who is taking on hard cases, and give that Doctor a large benefit of the doubt. For instance, the medi-cal Doctor gets a get out of jail free card, but most of the negative reviews are for the doctors who are charging $350.00 hr, in good areas of the county?)

Plus, insurance fraud was at an all time high, detecting accelerants was very difficult, people smoked in bed, people smoked everywhere. As a kid, all I remember is adults lighting cigarettes. My job was stomping out the butts.

Source:watching Goodfellas, and that movie with Bull--forget the name--Backdraft.

I worked out at Muir Woods National monument years ago, when it was free to get in. Most of the tourists were from other countries. ($10 to get in today--crazy.)

It seemed like most tourists cared more about eating, and buying souvineers. (Most were on a bus schedule though. It went from San Francisco, Sausalito, and then Muir Woods.)

They seemed to like being around other tourists? Never quite figured them out. I do know this, some tourists didn't appear to be on vacation. They looked misserable. They seemed annoyed at little things, like ice in soda. I was asked so many times, "Why do Americans put ice in soda!". I used to tell them that we want to delay diabetes. Then, I got to the point where I just said Americans are stupid. The second one they got.

Most didn't seem to care about the large Redwood trees. The only group of people who seemed genuinely interested, excited to see such large trees were a group of Amish tourists.

My buddy introduced me to BLM camping, and one day, I hope to be in your shoes, enjoying life in a RV.

Walk through the produce section at Whole Foods, or Safeway.

Play a little game. Try to find the fruit, or vegatables that arn't produced in the rich country, fair wage country, safety conscious country of Mexico.

I wouldn't mind subsidizing smaller farmers. Larger farmers shouldn't be subsidized.

The government would need to prevent large companies from splitting up, and suddenly overnight you have 20 different small companies. They could beef up legal penalties for any blatant, repeated shinagigans. (Will never happen? The money their lobbyists sending congress is staggering?)

It's a shame how taxpayer money is wasted by administrators/politicians.

In the Bay Area, we have a lot of civil engineering jobs. (Those street repair/pipe jobs that never end, and tie up traffic for years). For years, it seemed like one company got all the work-- Billotti Brothers. (Didn't use their real name, out of fear.)

Even though every project required three bids, by three different companies, it seemed like Billotti got all the work. I used to wonder why. They must be one efficent company?

The Internet arrived, and people had some honest questions, basically, the main one was, "Is this the only company?"

I then noticed news papers started to list the construction companies that lost out on the bids. I looked into these companies. They all seemingly were founded by a Billotti? It looks like they sent their kids to Sacramento to get their contractors licenses? (Very easy to get).

These companies then all bid on projects. The lowest bid won! "Hold up a glass of red wine!"

And of course, they didn't plan this wacky coincidence, commingle assets("I don't need that grader brother."), share workers, work on eachother's projects--never.

And I actually don't have a clue to what they did, but it just doesn't look right. And it all could be legal--I just don't know? Or maybe, all the kids/grandkids just followed in dad's footsteps, and got into construction aspect of civil engineering?

(Edit: If I recall, the whole save the American farmer thing was started when I was a child. It sounded great, but farmers bought up all the small farmers, and the subsidies never stopped. Sorry about going off topic with the Billotti Brothers. I've become so dissalusioned with our society.)

But the wealthy, who are the one's who have really benefitted from this free money will buy these chit boxes, and rent them out at outragious ROI.

And so will the wealthy foreigner--with a lousy phone call.

I've given up on more building. I think we need to open up areas where people can camp without breaking the law. Or, at least allow people to legally sleep in their vehicles. The fines/fees for breaking over stringent municipal laws are just not fair.

(I don't believe lightening up municipal laws will cause the average person to sleep on the sidewalk to save money. Yes, we will always have homelessness. I have known two people who were between rentals, and were ticketed for sleeping in their cars. It's just not--what's the word--the America I thought I was proud of.)

I have found that most people make horrid moral decisions when it comes to money/career. They go into this weird denial, or fall back on, "Hay--it's legal!". I've had my fill of people like this, including a particularly greedy sister.

It seems like ethics, and morals are just missing in some people, and most of these people wear ties, and do it all in a legal fashion.

I have watch a few of his videos months, maybe a year ago? It seems like it was a while ago.

I watch his videos for two reasons; He was obviously opening up his life to the world, and I was curious to what this guy was all about.

I came away with, like myself, he seems to have a real lack of friends. And like myself, he definetly needs a girlfriend. Not someone he could buy, but an honest caring relationship. I definetly got the feeling he wanted people out of his league, and it really bothered him. Maybe I'm completely wrong?

I went to a community college too. I was told in the first few weeks, most of you will drop out, and not transfer. This tenured Ph.d was quite a jerk, but he was right.

I transferred to a four year university, and got that rediculious degree. I look back, and there was so much b.s., involved in getting that degree, I'm suprised I finished.

I finished because it was better than working full time. I had this beautiful, competitive girlfriend who I just couldn't be with anyone without a degree. I'll never forget the look on her face when she asked me, "How do you feel about getting a degree?" Honestly Ingrid(yes, unbelievable blond) it was a waste of time. In four years, I had maybe eight classes what I really felt were worth the money.

If I was to do it over again, I would have picked a degree I was interested in. I picked business administration . I thought it was the safe choice. I was wrong.

I went to graduate school for a year, and dropped out due to health problems, and I didn't believe the mantra they were spewing. I did pay back that 10 grand. I'm glad I payed it back because I need to file a chapter 7 soon.

(If anyone currently going to a community college reads this, hang in there. It will get depressing. Your buddies will fill your head with stories about epic parties at their school. Just finish those general education transfer courses. I actually had a great time in CC. In Anatony, and Physiology classes, I dated a lot. It was loaded with nursing students.)

In high school, I was taught math horribly. I wish high school would stick with just the basics, and work on doing it better.

I spent a year in a community college making up for what I should have learned in high school; basic math up to advanced algebra. Sure I applied myself more, but the teachers, and even the text books seemed better?

Once I learned the basics, it made math enjoyable, and I didn't fear courses that were heavy in math.

By the way, most Medical doctors never sat in a calculus course. Here, in the U. S., there's always had two calipers of physics courses. The hard, and easy physics courses. The easy physics courses don't require calculus. They hard require calculus. Most med students too the easy courses, and aced them. It's all about the GPA when trying to pretty yourself up for med. school.

I worried way too much about grades in college. I look back and wish I took the courses I was interested in.

My interests are completely different as I've aged. It's tough in college because so much rides on getting into that certain graduate program, or professional school-- graduating, and getting a Job.

O.k. I've heard enough of this skills gap from Mike Rowe.

I haven't figured out if he's "thick" pretty boy who honestly doesn't understand why a company in the middle of nowhere is having a hard time finding a non-union pipe welder, who's willing to even pay union wages, for a two month job; or Mike is just trying to promote himself as some Skilled Workers Guru so he won't have to work for non-union wages when this money making gig dies out?

1. If you pay a decent salary you will have a line around your union hall with applicants. For example, try to get into local 6 in San Francisco. It's the electric union for the city/county. I believe those guys are getting over $100 hr. including benefits. Most of you will just not get in.

2. Try to be become a union Plumber in New York. There were guys camping out in line just to put their name on the list to take the union test a few weeks ago.

3. I have two extreme examples, but every union that treats its members right; there's no shortage of eager apprentices.

O.k. how about the rest of the trades? Where are the workers? Let's look at Mr. Sparky, and Benjamin Franklin brought up as expamples in this piece. Both mainly hire non-union help. Mr. Sparky pays $14.00 hr, and I believe they expect state licensed electricians to apply? They offer lousy working conditions. No wonder they can't get qualified workers? They do charge customers union prices though. Someone has to make a good living?

We don't have a shortage of qualified individuals. We have employers/companies that don't pay much more than retail.

(I won't be back to argue. I a licenced general contractor, union electrician, and went to automotive school. What I see is a lot of overqualified guys, but are being exploited. I see a lot of foreigners doing these jobs at very low wages.

In many cases, they do a good job with the right supervision.

So, I'm a hypothetical shop owner. I hire a guy who knows what's he/she is doing, and pay that person just o.k.; and they delegate to a bunch of low wage foreigners. This is how you get rich as an owner in the trades. And you don't hire union if you can avoid it. And you don't hire union help. The point is not hiring union. Did you get it? See your company seems to make more profit without unions? And you have guys like Mike scratching their heads over the lack of eager beavers lining up to fill these jobs.)

I was taught that too. Never bought it then, nor now.

I hate to add to the wire brush worry, but it's not just BBQ.

So many resturants use wire brushes.

The last burrito I had was a few months ago. It had piece of wire in it. I kept the wire for a few days, and thought about it. The wire was not from a brush. I think it was old copper telephone wire. It that might have fell onto the grill from the ceiling, or wall?

Anyways, I haven't had a burrito since that instance. And tonight, I just got the visual of them cleaning the grill with a big, old wire brush--with gusto. Now I think about it, they had all types of black brushes near the grill.

Those grills are just large pieces of steel, without holes, or spaces. If loose wire isn't caught by the cook it just gets mixed in with the of steak, chicken, whatever.

(They make small metal detectors. My watch parts supplier is always advertising them. They claim they will find watch parts on the ground. I wonder if they could detect those small bristles?)

I've had some lousy jobs, and it seems like the worse the job is, the less the employees complain. It's a weird form of denial, or something else?

Safeway bucks that observation. Safeway managed to irritate every employee, including my deceased father. He hated that company with a passion. In his late twenties, he became an electrician, and loved the work, and union pay.

I wish people cared about exploiting others, but they just don't seem to care, unless exploitation is so appalling it makes them look terrible. Even then--they rationalize, and go into denial.

Girlfriend? I don't know--maybe it gives off the right advertising. Meaning, if you don't want all the trappings of a conventional lifestyle; I'm that guy. A great opening line, "Do you want to avoid hiring a lawyer in the future to fight over assets? Do you want to avoid sitting in a cubicle the rest of your life? Do you want to never have this thought, "Would I be with him if we didn't have that house, and kids?" If you don't want to have a gaggle of kids because you were kinda pressed into having them by family, friends, coworker, societal pressures, etc., I'm your guy. (Yes, I know having kids is a wonderful experience. If I was this guy in this article, I would get a vasectomy, and freeze sperm. I don't know if you could live like this with a child, especially in an overprotective, fear for the worse, jump to the wrong conclusions, country like the USA.)

My parents fought over the house seemingly continually. The only time they didn't fight was when they left it on weekends.

My father wanted to do what this guy is doing now, but died before completing his van.

I think this is an untapped way of living, but society/cops seem to discourage it by ticketing excessively. That is my main concern. Towns, and cities have much made it illegial to park pretty much anywhere overnight, unless you pay a fee.

Off the top of my head, try being a non-union Electrician, Plumber, etc. in San Francisco for a day.

At the end of that day, you will drop to your knees, and thank god for those lefty unions. At the end of a few years, you just might be able to afford a house.

Actually San Francisco has a lot of union jobs, and they arn't moving to China.

Personally, I think people in tech will look back, and wish they had some Union protection. It's the one profession I'm shocked hasen't completely moved overseas.

What's the better alternative? America is better now because got rid of a lot of unions? Yes--a lot of products are made where your boss can get maximum ROI. They are made overseas for a lot of reasons, including lax laws concerning every aspect of that widget. Employee health/happiness/economic viability--who cares. Enviornment--who cares. Ability to pay taxes--who cares. Who cares as long as it's cheaper. Sometimes the cheapest is not the best for society as a whole?

I worked at a Rainbow Records in the 90's, after graduating with a useless BA degree in Business, and recovering from a nervous breakdown. Rainbow records was not nearly as big as Tower Records, but big for the Bay Area.

I saw the writing on the wall. This was slightly before Napster, and downloading. Cd's were a big deal. The business just seemed destined to close.

I look back, and it was one of my better jobs. It only paid minimum wage, but the people, and friendships I cultivated were priceless. There was one employee who gave me a bad time, but I still liked her. She would berate me, in a joking manner, but I honestly didn't care. I missed her on her days off. She used to remember holidays, and buy employees gift baskets/little gifts. I was always the last person she would give a gift to, and it was always the same verbs banter. Me, "Now I know you don't want to give me this? Her, "Well, I couldn't just leave you out?". She would walk away, with that punk rock hair, look back at me, and say, "Stop looking at my ass." Me, "Sorry, but you just have good genes--meaning I like your denim--Levis? She would laugh, and think about a come back. I really hope she's happy now-

I look back, and don't know what could have saved that store. I couldn't imagine opening any store these days, especially around here.

(I do like the idea of a nonprofit business model for used record stores, and book stores. I think there's a few nostalgic guys who might donate a store to the right group of people? I would--if I was a landlord.)

I gave a 89 Toyota that kinda took care of, with 240,000 miles. She still has 125 psi in the cylinders. Changed the oil when I felt like it. Changed the oil filter only sometimes. Never changed the air filter. Never repaired a tapping valve. In other words, didn't take care of her like other vechicles I owned.

One day, I think, even 80's and 90's Toyotas will be collectors items. I know some of them are collectors vechicles now, but I feel the 80's to 90's vechicles will see a huge boost in interest.

I've been had surprising good luck ordering automotive parts from Amazon.

I stripped some caliper bolts on an 90's truck. I needed a heli-coil(odd size one), and a new bolt. When ordering the program suggested new caliper bushings. Everything fit perfectly.

I thought, if they can keep accuracy of orders spot on, and prices cheap; they will put a huge dent in the automotive parts market.

That said, I've noticed when Amazon goes into a new market, they nail price, and accuracy of order.

They then seem to raise prices slowly. I notice those price increases, and will shop elsewhere, but as of now--I will buy all my auto parts from Amazon.

Whomever programmed that automotive garage did a really good job.

I deactivate all the time. Hit "I don't find Facebook useful.", and its just two click away from deactivation.

I'm not qualified to answer, but as a patient looking back; I feel duped by well meaning people.

I don't know about neuroscience, but it seems when Psychologists/Psychiarty fails they fall back too frequently on, "Well, it's an art too?".

I don't think I've met an older Psychiatrist who isn't secretly completely dissalusioned with their career. They won't admit it. I can just see it on their faces. It's ironic they know so much about denial, but they appear to really repress?

I really hope these professions attract the best students/minds in the future, and brings in enough research money so that won't be an excuse.

If you are in mental agony, you need to go through the dance--you might be the person they help. I'm not trying to be funny; you just need to go, and see if they can help.

If all you get out of it is bills, bad side effects, and no results--leave. There's a part of me that wished I never seeked out their help, but will never know if I made the right decision.

(My heart, and complete sympathy goes out to anyone hit with mental illness. I can offer this, with enough time you will feal better. Don't ruin your health by self-medicating. And I know, drugs like alcohol seem beneficial, but just don't overdo it. And again, give your brain/body time to heal. I'm an older guy who did get better. My life went down the tubes, but a lot of it was my fault--I guess? When I was in my twenties and blindsided by a malady, I held onto hope by a thin string. Every day became, just getting through it. My symptomology impoved with age. I will give good Psychologists/Psychiatrists this, they are the only professionals who seemingly truly understand what you are going through. To the rest of the world, the way you feel is a complete mystery, even family members, loved ones just don't quite get it. In the end, when you pull out of it, you might view the world a bit differently. There will be less black/white issues. I guarantee you will be a more understanding/sympathetic person. I sometimes think I became too liberal. To the point of being taken advantage of, but just don't know. I'm not the guy I used to be--for better, or worse.)

I think he's keeping the troop's morale up? If I was in his shoes, I would do the same. It's seems like there's a part of success that not hard work, or a great idea. "Just finish it, march ahead, and we will see what happens?"

Sometimes luck, throw of the the dice, et., seems to be an important part of the equation.

As to critism, I want it. It's free. It might be true? My only complaint is when it's in a walled off garden, or it's a obvious attempt at destroying someone/something, usually by a competitor?

The poor, and middle class have grown up with critism. They arn't used to it, but it's just there. I sometimes wonder if the next big tech boom will be ruled by this class. Probally--no, because money seems to stay with money. When you don't have access to this money, see it being thrown around, seemingly wasted, it's hard to hold back? But then again, I'm so wrong so many times, I have honestly considered being a contrarian. For instance, a stock/company looks rediculious--buy it.

That makes too much sence for the FDA, AMA lobby, big pharma, and very entity/persons that makes a killing off health care.

As to the simplicity the EpiPen, I once used it, and under stress didn't do it right.

When I was younger I was very interested in medicine. In college finished all pre-med courses. Interned at a Coroner's office, etc. Even spent some time in med school. Very familiar with giving a subdermal injection.

Now my father had a bad asthma attack years ago. I knew he was in poor health, so my stress level was high. He blurted out where the EpiPen was kept. I got the device, didn't have time to read the instructions, and just stuck it in his thigh. I apparently pulled it out too quick--just wasn't thinking, and nervous. I pulled it out so quick, because I was scared, felt the device was foolproof, and felt weird hurting my father. We luckey had enother one around, and injected him longer this time. If I was forced to use a syringe, their would be no assuming. "I need to get the drug into the syring. I then need to empty the syring into his thigh. Done?"

Well it didn't work, and he ended up in the emergency room. He survived.

I drove home feeling guilty, and still do today.

I always felt a kit with a single dosed bottles of epinephrine, and a syringe would make intuitive sence to a lot of people? I know I would have felt more comfortable that night.

I honestly think the powers at be underestimate the abilities of the average person, especially a person who's had an previous asthma attack. If a doctor/nurse spent a minute showing a patient how to injection themselfs with epinephrine; I don't think most would ever forget. Plus--we have all watched injections given on the boob tube? "But the average person would probally jab the syringe in the Carotid artery, or pull a Pulp fiction." They could jam it into a carotid, even with a EpiPen--with enough effort/stupidity?

I hope in the future we have over the counter life saving medications over the counter, including naloxone.

Demand passing a basic test if worried about consumers hurting themselfs? Something like a CPR certification? If the patient can pass, they can buy cheap medications over the counter? They don't need fancy propriatiatry drug delivery gadgets in so many cases.

I really think the only way to bring down medicine costs will be to make many drugs OTC, and demand basic competency exams if worried about ineptitude? There will always be people out there that will find a way to abuse/overdose/screw up dosesages on medication. Let's just try it for a year? Especially with certain life saving drugs. How many diabetics die each year because they don't have a prescription for insulin, and couldn't get to a hospital?

I used to have so much respect for any sector of the health care; now I look at most of them with utter discontent.

Medical bankruptcies are the number one reason people file for protection. Don't beat yourself up. I once got a hospital blood test, and they charged me $1100 dollars. When they found out I had insurance through my Union; that total bill went down to $90.00. That's the total price they charged my insurance company. My portion was $7.00. So the medical system is rigged. I find the system very unfair, and it doesn't make any sense economic sense.

O.k., I am obviously not a lawyer, but have dealt with these individuals. If you think you get a funny feeling about your lawyer; walk--they are a dime a dozen. If you have nerves of steel, and are good at research it's not unheard of to do your own bankruptcy. Yes, I know the adage, just there's some people that can do some sophisticated legal work themselfs.

Most lawyers offer a free first visit. See a few of them. Take notes. The slimey ones try to scare you. The moral ones are strait shooters. Double check verything they state. Try to get a money back guarantee.

Back to you medical bankruptcy; hospitals, and doctors say they use the judicial system to get their overpriced fees only sometimes. They do go after thousands of people yearly though. They are basically lie. They get judgements, and force previous patients out of their home. Completely disgusting in my world. If I was a rich dude looking to donate money to a hospital, I would have one question, "Have you ever sued a patient for nonpayment? How many? What were the facts of the case?

If you are forced into bankruptcy, and have a house there's a homestead exemption in most states. I believe it's $125,000. It's not much. I know in Texas it's basically unlimited--which it should be nationwide! No one should be able to touch your home, especially in a medical bankruptcy.

Now if you have a house, and a bank account. String the creditors on for as long as possible. In the mean time, talk to a lawyer about getting rid of assets. You don't want hide assets, by illegial transfers, but it's complicated. Their are ways to hide that house, but it's tricky, but doable. Don't be the idiot that goes deep in collections, and transfers the home into a family members name, and then a week later file for a chapter 7. Again, talk to a lawyer if you have assets.

The whole process scared me. Be strong! Everything will work out, especially in a medical bankruptcy. I was so scared over my financial difficulties at one point, I considered committing suicide. Talking to the right lawyer, a guy who basically told the truth--really settled me down. I knew he was my guy when he said, "All my clients lie about they annual income."

(Don't take advice too seriously form Internet chat rooms, or even myself. There is still so much wrong information, even by porported lawyers. I didn't help you much, but you seem to have a straight forward bankruptcy. Don't let this ruin you life. I spent so many unneeded nights worrying. I won't even say good luck, I don't think you have a sticky bankruptcy. As to lituraure, Nolo Press is pretty good, but they too make mistakes. Learn how to do legal research. Become familiar with bankruptcy codes/procedures for your state.)

If you get to 5, make sure you are judgement proof, and any loaned money is unsecured credit card money.

I honestly couldn't care less about credit card money losses, but I've seen too many people with assets(home, profitable website, really good job, nice cars) get reamed in bankruptcy court. Or, they lie about assets. Lie about assets, but make sure they never show up anywhere.

And just because you lied about your income on that cc form; in 99 percent of the time, it won't be mentioned in bankruptcy court. Credit card companies use your credit credit score to give you of money, and I believe they still redline(give more to certain individuals). Bankruptcy lawyers know most people lie on those cc applications. Yes, it's technically fraud, but try to prove it. They just don't. Nolo Press has a glaring error concerning income, fraud, and potential bankruptablity. It think newer editions corrected it?

If you get onto financial troubles, try to be proactive. Learn about what assets are legal to transfer. Learn about statue of limitations. Protect yourself from these bottom feeders.

(I don't want to debate anyone on the ethics of the cc industry. I just got a cc plea offering me a 29 percent offer, and if I could do it again, I would have ripped up that first cc card sent to me upon graduation, endorsed by my school.)

I'm from the same era, and as I've gotten older I'm much more frugal. My decised father was psychotically frugal.

I'm different than my father, but we definetly don't give hard earned money away. Now easily made money I usually spend freely.

Tooth paste--prescription grade, and use pea size amount. (Not out of cheapness--just don't want to give a dentist any money. ) Hair cutting--Flobee. Car breaks down--pull out the tools. Plumbing problems--one day at a garage sale I bought a 4' monkey wrench. I've actually used it. Emotional upset--drink. Need new clothes--pull out sewing machine, and custom fit cheap clothes. Eat out--specifical occasions. Buy Men's hair color to hide getting older in this ageist society--walk right over to women hair color and buy brown 51 for $2.99. The only item I splurge on is a certain glycerine soap. (I have thought about making my own, and might if I can obtain Neutrigenia's propriatiry formula?)

And I would never tell a date/most people any of this. When socializing, I'm a phoney spendthrift, and when it came to my pets money was never an option. I would pay anything to make them healthy/happy. Years later I was talking to a vet I befriended, and he said they have a office subscript for guy's like me--it's WPA. (Will pay anything). I remember being bothered, but their health was my priority, even when I was broke. They all passed, but I have no guilt over their care.

I don't fully get your comment. The thesis of your argument is, "Many of them don't want to go back to school or get technical training... What do we tell the taxi and truck drivers when Uber shows up with self-drivers, etc."

At the end of you comment, I noticed you brought up a basic income. I think you realized the work force is really shrinking, and becoming very exploitive. When was the last Labor Union formed in the U.S.?

Let's start with this whole, "Go back to school to earn more money." And major in what? Let's take a white 40-50 male. Exactly what degree/certification is he going to get in order to get that carrot on the stick, or move up? The economic world has changed so much--I don't know too many degrees that will further that guy in life. Right now, maybe registered nursing, but that's been hot since ObamaCare, and who know what that future holds. Hay, I got a great one; go back to even a middle tiered law school, and hang up your shingle at 50. Wait for that phone to ring. I know a black entomologist, with a degree, who literally works for Orkin. He was recently reprimanded by the company because he left the air conditioning on while in park. (He was in Alabama, during a heat wave.)

My point is I hear people say go back to school. I have seen people go into great debt(debt that isn't bankruptable), only to graduate with a degree, sometimes a degree in the hard sciences, that are working multiple minimum wage jobs. What exactly is a 50 year old going to do with a degree in mechanical engineering? I don't even want to think what they would do with a bachelor's in computer science. And please, don't tell me this industry isn't all about age. I think that might change one day when VC's calm down about finding the next Zukerburg, and realize this industry is about profit, and not reaching for the stars, or hitting a once in a decade home run with a ambiguous individual, usually a guy who wants to get that girl with financial success? A guy who was just in the right place in the right time, horny, and had the privilege of being a middle class white guy.

My point is I always hear education is the answer. I see so many people with multiple credentials on their basement wall, and no career. I won't even bring up the certificate programs advertised on t.v., and how many people spent thousands on worthless paper.

I don't have a solution to this mess. Yes--there's a part of me that would close down the borders, and become an semi-island until we figure out what to do. I would also like to see some taxes/regulation on tech. Yes--I said it--I'm the devil. I just know there's less real jobs out there than the government claims. Most people I know are barely getting by.

As to Uber paying a tax; I could care less. I have watched that company from it's sperm days. I have watched people go into debt/ruin their credit buying a Uber approved four door vechicle, and not making the money they were told was at the end of the stick.

I don't want to get into a long winded debate, but this economy has changed so much; I'm literally in shock. It might seem great when you are in this tech bubble, but wait until it explodes. Watch what the homeless population in San Francosco spikes up to. Sure the rich kids will move back home, and maybe pull out of the crash with help, and contacts for family, but the poor/middle class kids will be at Home Depot mixing paint.

Remember tech is one of the few industries you can get into with just talent. You don't need a degree. You do need some good skills, and the Internet is making learning those skill exponentially easier.

So we get back to what that older person is going to do in this sharing economy. I honestly don't have a clue. Try landscaping at 50, and competing with immigrants who see nothing unusual about putting four to a bedroom.

The Titans of business, or the wealthy are not getting anymore--what's the word; financially moral? In my world it's a Christian attitude. (Save the religious bashing for another time. Their are some good proverbs that some you should look at, but then again why; being a fair guy isn't even admired in certain circles. It's all about maximum accumulation of wealth. They are not offering jobs livable wage jobs with a future. Thay are praised for exploiting certain, usually older, or minority workers to further their wealth, and don't just don't give a dam about how their workers live, or their workers' future.

Oh they, do care about what trendy, like animals, or global warming, but it can't interfere with their money nut. I see a dearth of real morality lately. Why? I have my suspicions, but to tired to verbalize, and don't want to argue with the persons who are offended by this post.

I noticed at the end of you post you brought up a basic income. Maybe deep inside you can forsee the future?

Between 1896 and 1996 world population went form 1 billion to 9 billion.(Too tired to verify that statistic--yes, I'm fifty, but I belive its correct.).

What are people going to do to provide for food, and housing? I guess we will just service the wealthy? Great times!

(I said some very controversial statements. They might be from a warped mind? I just see a bleak future, and too many "Hay I'm doing fine--what's the problem?")

As a regular dude who was thinking way too much about a former college girlfriend. I want to thank Gawker for showing me a picture of her in Cabo with at least 30 dudes.

I don't want to get into a debate. She was just a product of life/business circumstances? I just remember a girl who who suddenly got depressed when other pretty girls were around, at work, or wherever. She was on a company vacation, but seeing her with so many seemingly desperate dudes, jerked me back into realty pretty quick. I never wanted a Amish girlfriend, but I didn't want a canieving, opportunist then, nor now. And yes--I guess it's a bit sexist? I had to include that last sentence. Why--just because.

She was a statistics/accounting major in college. She was always gauging her odds for seemingly everything. When I heard she got tired of San Francisco, and still wasen't married, I just had a hunch she would go to a place that she thought would up her her social desirability. I figured she thought Silicon Valley would be the place--a lot of ambitious white guys.

That's where she ended up. It was probally business related move, but I was so glad I saw her in that publication years ago. I believe it was called The Valley Wag in the day. It saved a lot of speculation, or what's the phrase--maybe regret over what could have been?

I didn't read the article. I do have an honest question. This is probally not the time to take a half ass survey, but here goes:

To Facebook members; what exactly have you gotten out of the site. This question is mainly geared towards Americans. I know in some countries FB is your only way to get onto any Internet--FB version of the Internet, but it's free--kind of--ads are not free.

So these questions are really directed towards U.S. Citizens; did you make any physical friends by being on FB? Did you get any job offers? Did you get that invite to the party? And the most important question, did you meet that special someone you only would have meet through the social elite site of FB?

I know a lot of you keep in touch with friends/family, and they have news feed, and that's a given, and wonderful--I guess?

I'm asking these questions because I am really not in FB demographics, and really want to know. I know this will not be a balanced review of Facbook. I just didn't think FB would still be growing in America at this date. I actually shocked we are still talking about it. I know a handful of people who deactivated, but not the numbers I was expecting.

(If offended, or feel this post is off topic-- I will remove it, and you have my apologies. And yes--I know they are buying up competition.)