This is the first time I’ve been moved to comment critically, because your writing usually informs and inspires me to think more carefully and to look at new sources of information. Thank you for your piece on AI in the music industry. Informative and thought provoking. My criticism? The glib dismissal of the FiRE movement. There’s plenty to learn from Buffett, if you’re simply looking at the investment side of this approach. But for many (not all), FiRE is way beyond this: it’s also about taking responsibility for minimising your consumption and environmental footprint, reducing your spending to optimal levels (and what is “optimal” for you may not be “optimal” for me - definitely a case of “one size fits one”) and using your extra time and money in a financially and socially responsible manner. It’s about taking away the elements of your life (not just financial elements), that don’t serve you in the here and now to align your life with your values. Some people in the movement are focused solely on retiring early from the need to work (emphasis on “need”), and so it’s about maximising their financial returns. But for many of us, it’s a much wider spectrum of perspectives and approaches. Rant over, Tom!
This is the first time I’ve been moved to comment critically, because your writing usually informs and inspires me to think more carefully and to look at new sources of information. Thank you for your piece on AI in the music industry. Informative and thought provoking. My criticism? The glib dismissal of the FiRE movement. There’s plenty to learn from Buffett, if you’re simply looking at the investment side of this approach. But for many (not all), FiRE is way beyond this: it’s also about taking responsibility for minimising your consumption and environmental footprint, reducing your spending to optimal levels (and what is “optimal” for you may not be “optimal” for me - definitely a case of “one size fits one”) and using your extra time and money in a financially and socially responsible manner. It’s about taking away the elements of your life (not just financial elements), that don’t serve you in the here and now to align your life with your values. Some people in the movement are focused solely on retiring early from the need to work (emphasis on “need”), and so it’s about maximising their financial returns. But for many of us, it’s a much wider spectrum of perspectives and approaches. Rant over, Tom!