I’ve never watched an episode and know it.

It’s not obscure to anyone over 40.

So literally the most well known UK sitcom of the late 1980s?

Well, well, well, if it isn’t the consequences of decades of funding Russian genocide in exchange for cheap natural gas.

Arcachon?

Arcachon?

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If you want complete relief, generic simethicone. It’s about $0.06/dose in the US.

Yes, the credit card spending is technically a rebate, hence why it is tax free. However, I am going to purchase an identical basket of goods and services whether or not I use credit, so it is functionally identical.

Debt, used properly, makes you wealthy. Every billionaire you know has debt because of the advantages.

I grew up middle class. To afford my prestigeous university, I took out debt (before grant only financial aid). The value of my education allowed me to earn a higher salary to pay it off in two years. I kept earning that salary and more after the debt was paid. It had a high present value.

I bought my latest house four years ago. Mortgage rates were so low I decided to finance part of it at 2% even though I had the cash. I now earn 4.5% in money markets. After taxes, I earn 0.72% every year not to pay off my mortgage. With $350,000 remaining, this is an extra $2,500/year right now.

I shop with credit cards that give me 2-5% back on purchases. I pay off my balance every month and have never paid one penny in interest or penalties in over a decade. My credit cards therefore pay ~$1,500/year tax free.

Larry Ellison likes controlling Oracle and being a billionaire. Rather than selling stock of Oracle to fund his lifestyle, he instead borrows against the value of the stock. As Oracle appreciated, he got to keep the gains he doesn’t trigger capital gains taxes.

Most Americans do live paycheck to paycheck. They live at the ragged edge of their means and remain ignorant of finance. However, this is a global phenomenon. The difference is that much of the United States tax code is set up to benefit the wealthy. Adopt their habits and your wealth starts to snowball.

I had this same thought last year when I drove through SLC on my way to Wyoming’s national parks.

It’s a huge missed opportunity for a college town like Orem.

Used electric cars are some of the cheapest you can buy with the lowest total cost of ownership. If you have to drive, at least spare yourself the awful experience, cost, and pollution of gas stations.

It is the 25th anniversary. They should hold a street concert.

Business is morally dubious and absolute truth does not exist which is frustrating, but I lack the patience for bench research though recognize its much greater value. We are all exploited at work, but at least you have decent hours, labor protections, and I hope societal value.

Florida is a state of extremes. I love the warm, wet climate and the food/smells it produces, but it’s even more superficial and transitory than the West Coast you know.

I am writing this from onboard a flight Europe. I appreciate your social cohesion (yes, even in the France of greves et manifestations), food quality, public transit, and historic city centers. I know France quite well and while I love Normandy and Paris, the weather and family draw me to PACA and Aquitaine. Since I debate retiring to France, how do you find life there compared to what you have witnessed of the United States?

Public schools are locally managed and every school board is different, but gifted programs are common in Canada and the US. Children are screened early, tested, and put in dedicated classes. I was moved to a different school that had a segregated group of classrooms at age eight. My children’s school has gifted classes so they could stay starting at seven. Since you are past this age, what leads you to such an interest if you don’t mind me asking?

The least energy intense communities are dense communities.

This is a step in the right direction.

IQ tests are largely worthless, so I wouldn’t take one formally.

Sorry about your school experience. Being placed in a gifted program allowed me to make friends with similar people.

I am envious of your career in the sciences. I foolishly pursued business, and while it has been financially rewarding, I am left with a sense of emptiness.

My job and residence in Florida require me to follow the news to avoid the nonsense inflicted by populist leaders, but I spend my free time in nature or traveling like you.

It is nice to connect to someone online with a similar experience.

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This mirrors my experience.

I was determined to have an IQ of 139 at age eight by a school psychologist. I was educated in a special program, attended an Ivy League university in the US, finished graduate school in the top 1% of my class, and work a well compensated job I dislike and will leave shortly.

To answer the main question, I find it isolating and a bit scary right now, but also stress-relieving.

I cannot connect with the average person though I really like some for their kindness. This is because I have a different lived experience. I consume different media. I don’t have their problems (money, vices, romantic instability, political agitation). I dislike how populism and hatred are rising, and am concerned that we are ignoring real issues (climate change, deficit spending, pollution) for fake ones (immigrants, “woke” culture, crime). At the same time, I wealthy by any objective standard, don’t have to work, and follow most medical guidelines (little exercise due to work schedule) so weigh an appropriate amount and am in good health.

I will acquire the book you recommend. My read French is decent. I have thought little about my IQ and perhaps should.

I had the same issue with the secure boot in bios when I switched a computer to Linux Mint a few weeks ago, but it’s been smooth other than that.

No chance of a fair trial now.

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