Robert Morein wrote:
"Bruce C. Miller" wrote in message
oups.com...
Part time lurker, almost never a poster here... I wondered where to ask
this, and I figure ROA and RAT is a good a place as any.

[snip]
- Health: Quit binge drinking and smoking. Started a 3-day/wk exercise
plan.

That's about all I can think of right now. There are little things too,
like replacing my touchtone phone with a vintage all-metal rotary.

I'm not an anachrophile or a luddite. I only eliminate those things
which cause more stress than they relieve. There many modern things I
don't intend to change (like my computers) and many commonplace items
which still have a place (like paper towels).

Bruce,
I read a tidbit on the reading habits of the literati. Surprisingly, the
most luminous minds of our generation read lots and lots of junk. The
difference between these people, and more average individuals, is that they
read and experience many more things. In their lives, the valve that closes
off experience and culture is wide open.

For some people, cloistering themselves from the vulgar, and the
low-brow pursuits of ordinary people makes them happy. So be it. But I
wouldn't take it as an article of faith that this will work for you. Don't
make it a goal in and of itself. You, too, could have a brilliant mind, yet
enjoy Jello, Twinkies, and Metallica, and if that's the case, feel no guilt.
Enjoy every sunny day.

People in search of Bohemia sometimes find themselves conforming to
another standard that is as confining as the one they abandoned.

This is certainly true to an extent. For me, I've already spent over a
quarter century soaking in tv, pop music, junk food, and everything
else without regard. I've probably wasted a good year or two of my life
just in front of the TV. I think that's more than enough for one
lifetime. I've been at it long enough to make an informed decision, I
believe. So far, eliminating such things has only improved my quality
of life overall.

I'm not becoming a recluse, I'm just putting a little more thought into
the things I consume and do. Just like most people wouldn't even think
to improve the sound quality of their stereo, even if they listen to it
every day and have plenty of money to do so, so too are most things.
Once you realize it is possible, the rewards are yours. I'm trying to
identify as many of those things as I can.

The downside to this, of course, is that the more you do this, the less
you have in common with the average man. Some people will think you're
a snob even if they find out you don't own a TV. I don't think game
shows and rap should be outlawed, I just don't want to voluntarily
subject myself to any more of it than I have to.