The Philosophy Behind Sailing Simply and Cheaply

[capn_billl]

WOW. I've learned more reading this thread than I did in 1 year of college.

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

(...) However, we all aim to live consciously; to live in that sweet spot.

Doh.

But when things are in balance, when we are in the sweet spot, how could we take any action?

I agree it would be great to act out of satisfaction, but I believe we mostly act out of lack of satisfaction.

Example A: John hates his electric windlass, he gets rid of it and lives happily until he finds he hates his radar ...

Example B: Brenda hates Crocks, she gets rid of them and buys proper Armani leather shoes ...

And so on and so forth. A chain of actions driven by lack of satisfaction with what there is.

b.

[Blue Crab]

With apologies to Roger Miller:

I'm a simple man, I drive a common van, my dog aint got no pedigree...



Gots to go do something constructive.

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

Doh.

But when things are in balance, when we are in the sweet spot, how could we take any action?

I agree it would be great to act out of satisfaction, but I believe we mostly act out of lack of satisfaction.

Example A: John hates his electric windlass, he gets rid of it and lives happily until he finds he hates his radar ...

Example B: Brenda hates Crocks, she gets rid of them and buys proper Armani leather shoes ...

And so on and so forth. A chain of actions driven by lack of satisfaction with what there is.

b.

Doh

Brenda loves her Crocks, therefore has time to walk, smell the flowers, and explore around that river bend. Through satisfaction, she pursues new acts of living. A chain of action driven by satisfaction.

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

Doh

Brenda loves her Crocks, therefore has time to walk, smell the flowers, and explore around that river bend. Through satisfaction, she pursues new acts of living. A chain of action driven by satisfaction.

Yes, In a romantic comedy script. Also, in real life, before we turn 35 or so.

b.

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

Yes, In a romantic comedy script. Also, in real life, before we turn 35 or so.

b.

Oh come on Barna, someone pee in your cornflakes this morning . I'm 45 and still smellin' the flowers.

[s/v Beth]

Alright guys, sounds like a half empty - half full type of discussion. I think we can all agree that any meaningful philosophy demands action. That just sitting around thinking how _______ we are is for idiots. The question that everyone is really asking is what action needs to be taken. And do those actions have a common thread in them?
My next action for simplicity is to sell one of my boats :-)

[foolishsailor]

Seems like there are two things being discussed but both are being lumped into simplicity, living a simple life and living consciously.

If one lives a simple life in a sea of media demands like the states than one can assume that person is living consciously to be able to make the choices necessary to keep their life simple amidst all the outside pressure

However living consciously does not require one to have an uncluttered and simplified life. One can be a materialist and still live consciously.

Who are we to decide the line that denotes contentment? It is perfectly possible to be self actualied and content in any lifestyle and to live consciously in any lifestyle, even one others may find morally objectionable

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by foolishsailor

Seems like there are two things being discussed but both are being lumped into simplicity, living a simple life and living consciously.
...
Who are we to decide the line that denotes contentment? It is perfectly possible to be self actualied and content in any lifestyle and to live consciously in any lifestyle, even one others may find morally objectionable

Thanks for saying it far better than I have been able to FS.

[barnakiel]

Simplicity Quotes - The Quotations Page

Inspiring.

b.

[Mike OReilly]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

Simplicity Quotes - The Quotations Page

Inspiring.

b.

Lots of fun, thanks Barnakiel. Although it's a bit off target here, my favourite "simplicity" quote is:

"For every complex problem, there is a solution that is simple, neat, and wrong"

H.L. Mencken, American journalist

[David_Old_Jersey]

It's better to be rich and happy - than poor and miserable .

The secret to being rich and happy is..........

..........not counting "rich" solely in money, if you do can never be happy.

[Blue Crab]

I've been writing a book called Simple Solutions to Complex Problems. My ex thinks it funny to call it simple-minded solutions to complex problems, ergo ... my ex.



Pennant not pendant.

[Ex-Calif]

In my job and in my boating I try to seek simplicity at the far side of complexity. Here is a quote that tries to clarify the statement.

""I would not give a fig for the simplicity this side of complexity, but I would give my life for the simplicity on the other side of complexity."
– Oliver Wendell Holmes

This enigmatic expression, when better understood, describes the essence of what Systems Thinking and Strategic Thinking are all about, and in practical terms, how they work. Let's see if we can break this opaque aphorism down into ideas that are more easily visualized and applied to the real world problems we need to solve.

The answer to most dilemmas often turns out to be ridiculously simple. But in order to see and understand the simple answers, we must first wade through what seems like overwhelming complexities in order to organize, prioritize, and unify them so that simple solutions can emerge.

Matthew E. May, in his recent book, The Elegant Solution: Toyota’s Formula for Mastering Innovation, made this seemingly complex concept abundantly clear:

“In a mathematical proof, elegance is the minimum number of steps to achieve the solution with greatest clarity. In dance or the martial arts, elegance is minimum motion with maximum effect. In filmmaking, elegance is a simple message with complex meaning. The most challenging games have the fewest rules, as do the most dynamic societies and organisations. An elegant solution is quite often a single tiny idea that changes everything.”

"Elegance is the simplicity found on the far side of complexity.”

– The Elegant Solution: Toyota’s Formula for Mastering Innovation,
Matthew E. May, Free Press, 2007"

[foolishsailor]

Beautiful. I hate the fact that is came from a car manufacturer but brilliant nonetheless