A Value Apocalypse
Or what actually happens when you get everything you want.
If you just go by what’s online, you may be deceived. More than not, you’re just seeing optimization:
The Best… (Food, restaurant, product, etc)
How to… (Get money, sleep, abs, etc)
”Inspiration” (Quotes and images - usually a subtle cry for help)
News (The irony is how low in value it actually is)
Highlight Reels (Edited so you only see the best / most optimized experiences)
Outrage (Fake activism)
I say “deceived” because this is a tiny portion of the population. Most people aren’t even thinking about these things. They have families, bills, shows. You know, all the things.
I’m only now realizing that utopia is actually a nightmare:
Only for the rich - If you’ve seen Elysium, you know what I mean. The life saving technologies will be very limited and expensive, thus creating big class divides.
If all problems are solved, what do we do? I get that UBI would be cool, but there’s so much joy and value in helping people.
It’s totally boring - No war, no drama. Yes, sounds wonderful. But does it?
A man goes to heaven…
This reminds me of the story a preacher once told of a man who dies and goes to heaven. It looks like Vegas. He has women on his arms, food, drinks and he sits down to play Black Jack. He gets 21! And Black Jack! And Black Jack again!
He pulls one of the waiter aside and says, “Hey, cou could make me lose once in awhile. Vary it up. For heaven this is totally boring.
The waiter leans in and whispers, “Sir… you’re not in heaven.”
Where does value go next?
Again, don’t think about social media. That is not real.
I think value will unfortunately go to a dark place. A sad place.
Sure the rich will vacation or go to bunkers. And the poor have always struggled so there’s no difference. It’s the middle.
It’s all the managers, white collar workers, desk job jockeys. What happens when Ai automates all of it? I think this will be the question on people’s minds. The riddle to solve:
“How do I not feel like a worthless piece of shit?”
I know. It seems counterintuitive to land here if we’re talking a utopia with Universal Basic Income. But it’s like people who survive a natural disaster - You think they’d be thrilled. But often they get survivor’s guilt.
I don’t think I’ll get there. I don’t think you will either. But sometimes I feel like we’re one lost job or client away from it.
And let’s not forget about all the people who don’t read substack. All the people just making it.
So whether that’s you or that’s someone you know, here is what I recommend:
How to Be High Worth
Get to know what you actually value (If you don’t, go here. It’s free).
Add this to the top of your to do list: “Today I will provide value by….”
Get social media off your phone. Just access it by computer.
Get totally clear on your financial picture before you welcome in more money.
Call someone and see how they’re doing.
That’s it for now.
What else? What makes you feel valuable?