In my previous article on Sunday, “Who is Suffering the Most – Probably the Most Irrelevant Question Ever”, I posted about reminding certain FIers (of course absolutely no one here reading this most critically acclaimed and prestigious of all FI blogs in the universe!) to put a lid on their glibness and remind them that practicing a little compassion can go a very long way.
Today however, I’m addressing the other side of the equation, the non-FI “Retirement Police” determined to destroy anything resembling FI and drown the world in a sea of hate.
“The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist.”
-Roger “Verbal” Kint, The Usual Suspects
“There is no greater evil in the world, than those who claim ‘retirement’ and still make money. Because we have copyrighted the word ‘retirement’ in every language, in every world and in every universe. There will be no corner of existence that does not know we exist and that we alone determine what is and isn’t correct retirement!”
-The Retirement Police
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Have you ever read the comments on a FI article posted in the mainstream media?
For a long time I never had. Why? Because I never really had a reason to and honestly just didn’t care. Rarely do I give a shit about other people’s opinions unless my EGO is at stake! Hahahaha. But then I began blogging and comments have become my lifeblood, interaction and feedback – they bring a smile on a dreary day no matter how brief or concise. So as my writing increased and my curiosity grew, late last year I decided to take a look and see what people were saying on major news outlets. Who are these people who take the time to comment on a FI article and what are their thoughts?
Yes, my mistake. Holy shit was I not prepared for what I saw.
As arrogant and hubristic some FIers can be (including my sarcastic self), underneath it all they have good intentions (at least I’m going to assume). They want people to get out of debt, learn to save/invest and live better lives – with more happiness, freedom and choices. No matter how this message is packaged, more often than not, these are good things.
However, try to convey any of these messages on a mainstream media news outlet – like CNBC, MarketWatch or Forbes – and you will be digitally crucified.
If you don’t pay attention to the mainstream FIRE world (which I usually don’t, but I will be lured to click on a Twitter link here and there… yes, I’m still a sucker at heart), Market Watch has their own FIRE segment. Maybe there’s other news websites that have more popular FIRE forums as well (drop me a line in the comments if you know of any), but as I mentioned previously, I’m not the most well-read on the internet. I care much more about the random bullshit I spew into the world rather than real authors who have real points to make (wink). But, if you have some free time and braincells to kill, take a look around and glance at the comment streams of some of these articles. I should preface that if you are currently in a good mood, and want to stay in a good mood, save this task for another time.
Now, I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised by the strong emotions, but I was. If you want a reminder of how divided our country remains (not a political comment, just a personal observation – and remember I live in LA, people are much more important here), take a gander at these comments and I think you will come to the conclusion that the hatred has never been more apparent.
Sure, you get all the normal attacks on financial freedom… these privileged people are spoiled; they are liars who received an inheritance or windfall; these people will have nothing to do for the next 40 years of their lives and go back to work; they will run out of money; what about health care; why would anyone not want to work their entire lives; they need to find something they love; these FIRE people are flat out idiots and stupid… yadda yadda ya… all the way to the end of the world they shout it out to anyone who will listen.
I get it. Seeing other people do things that makes them happy freaks some people out – it’s the human condition. Misery loves company and everyone must be as unhappy as they are, or life isn’t fair. Why that is? I don’t know, but it sure as hell was a common uniting theme in most of the comment streams. These people don’t like to hate, they fucking love to hate!
Now, now… to each their own. I always support people’s personal views no matter how different they are than mine. This is an all-inclusive blog even if you hate my guts and think my writing is shit. Thanks for reading!
However, as unsurprised as I was by the content of these comments, it was the tone that clung to me. These people weren’t trying to give the author helpful and friendly advice. They sounded like they wanted FI people to die a terrible and torturous death and rot in hell forever. It was as if the hate was causing smoke to shoot out from my computer screen. This was pure schadenfreude – is this America I questioned? Who are these spiteful and dare I say it “evil” minded people? Where do they come from? Who raised them? How I do I try to understand them?
The more I questioned who these people were… the answer came. I didn’t even have to ask, because I already knew. I have always known. It’s the “retirement police.” A name that has become almost synonymous with the word “hate” to me – it’s hard for me to distinguish the difference.
I must admit, my personal experience with this secretive and mind-controlling clan has been limited. I have yet to try to infiltrate their ranks and my pitiful little blog still remains too miniscule to get even one hateful comment. (I’ve heard that you should celebrate when you do, because that means you’ve finally become relevant – once people who hate you start reading your material then you have won!) Not sure I agree with that, but so far, I think I’ll enjoy staying under the radar and living the quiet life.
Unfortunately, in the mainstream media, we have become predominantly a hateful society toward early retirees. Why such a backlash on FI? Because people are disgruntled with their own lives and this leads to a divide of polar opposites.
So is there an answer? What can be done about this problem? Or is it even a problem, because let’s face it. The majority of the world are not early retirees. So unfortunately, maybe us as a minority has the problem? (I don’t think this at all, but I had to play devil’s advocate)
The answer: nothing on a grand scale. Or, nothing at least that I know of. The world is not yet ready for early retirees, because it’s just not fair. And to be American is to be fair and live the dream.
But in light of all this, I know what I’m going to do. It’s easy. Life is simple (don’t you love it when people say that… like life could ever be simple). Follow these three rules and the world will be a better place. Or at least for me it will be:
Shut your mouth unless you have something positive to say (this includes social media), don’t be a dick and help when you can.
-Q-FI
P.S. You ever read some of these mainstream media FI articles or profiles on early retirees? What did you think? Ever get into the comments section? You should… it’s fucking wild. Hahaha.
On one level I get the retirement police, I mean I’m an engineer and I’m a little OCD about the fact that words mean something. And its confusing and can irritate rule followers like me when they stop having a definition, or when they can mean whatever you want them to mean.
But on the other hand I’m a self proclaimed “early retired” and “financially independent” nonprofit blogger. I retired right after my 60th birthday instead of at my originally planned 66 or 70 age. But I also have earned six figures working one day a week consulting for the last four years since I retired. So was 60 really early enough(I say slightly early) and am I really retired when I earn six figures doing some engineering consulting? Fortunately my small group of readers seem to be supremely nice people and I’ve not gotten shredded over my shaky status as a FIRE person.
I’ll give that to you Steveark, if you’re a rule follower I see how ambiguous definitions can wear on you. But I do think the aggressive defense of these rules (which in my opinion only) are utterly meaningless, doesn’t add any value to the conversation.
And wow, making six figures for one day of work a week – that’s my ideal sail off into the sunset scenario…. hahaha. Congratulations on landing that!
While I’ve read a few mainstream media FIRE articles, I’ve never read th comments but not surprised to hear they’re like comments in most other articles. Full of invective and resentment written by sad, personally frustrated folks who feel they have no voice and/or who are emboldened by anonymity.
Haters are gonna hate, I guess. I never got it. If you don’t dig it, just click the button, or turn off the set or whatever. That said, I too have never received a negative comment, but secretly hope I get one at some point.
Well you are just a big ole stoopid head! Ok, sorry, but how often does someone get the chance to make the first negative comment? I had to.
Congrats… yes, you have won the hate contest! Ha!
I agree with you Mr. Fate and I have the same mindset, let people say what they want and ignore it. You’re not going to change their mind by arguing. I think it was the hostile tone and overwhelming majority of the negativity that took me by surprise. I was expecting a little more diversity of opinions.
I also think you made a key point, “anonymity.” I was listening to a podcast the other day and the guy was saying that people act on Twitter like they would in their car with no one watching. No accountability is necessary so people are emboldened. A very interesting dynamic indeed.