The Awful Truth About Fame, Wealth, and Success
Capital Thinking • Issue #94 • View online
We are so very wrong about many things - pain, fame, and wealth being just three. Success too, I guess.
We don’t realize the true cost of these “things” we desire. And everything has a cost.
Most of us don’t really understand that either.
Ryan Holiday says it well
Preach it, brother.
“Along with extreme success comes extreme costs — it is often an all consuming drive that draws one to the spotlight…and inevitably to dark places as well.
Maybe the lucky ones are the hidden figures. The people who don’t suffer the burdens of a public office or a clique of hangers or the anxiety of a reputation to uphold or the chorus of critics, they’re the ones who were deprived?
Most people with a public persona tell you that the downsides outweigh the upsides. They have a target on their back from critics. They have less creative freedom. They feel irresponsible when they turn down opportunities because they know other people would kill for the chance.
It’s not all bad of course, but there are real problems that go along with fame and fortune.”
James and the best advice ever...
“When I start a business, I make sure everyone I hire is smarter than me, so I can learn.
When I do a podcast, I assume my guests are all smarter than me, to feed my curiosity.
I’m blessed to have so many of my superheroes answer all my questions on my podcast.
The best advice I’ve gotten lately (from billionaires, super-comedians, artists, athletes): be honest, be who you are, be humble, be curious, sincerely network, show up every day.
It’s that simple. I will add: be stupid”
Here's more from James:
Comparing Bullshit to Science - It's in the details...
This guy is a guilty pleasure. He’s old, grumpy, and rich.
He also pulls no punches.
It Ain't Benjamin Button, but she makes a good point.
Simple, but powerful story. But then, most powerful stories are simple.
Elon is not Elvis and that's not good.
Chris is someone who pretty much has one thing on his mind: making money. Not making excuses.
He’s not a fan of Musk’s “Enron on Wheels” company.
Yep. We're putting this here right after Elon
This little tale written 200 years ago lives on.
The way I heard it, Abraham, Oscar, and Mary made a wager as to who could write the most frightening story over a long weekend in the country.
Oscar Wilde painted the tale of a never-aging Dorian Gray and ‘Bram Stoker drew Dracula out of the darkness into the light of day. But both men felt that nineteen-year old Mary Shelly won the bet.
Shelly brought her monster to life with such force that 200 years later scientists are still fascinated by her Frankenstein.
Of course, the real story is here:
Personal progress does have its cost
What? You thought this was going to be easy?
“Our painful moments are important moments. When we confront something painful, we are left with a choice between an ugly and painful truth or a beautiful delusion. Many of us opt for the latter and it slows our progress.”
*Feature photo by Pascal B. on Unsplash
*Originally appeared June 21, 2018