Ahhh I am so delighted someone else shares my interests of Alone and personal finance! Re: William, I also think it was easy for him to “stay for the money” because he loved it so much out there. You see him volunteer for another season as soon as they tell him he’s won (!) and his wife is like, “yeah no.” I also think it’s kind of hilarious that he finds their tiny sub-5000 population town in Labrador to be too full of hustle and bustle—hence why he wants the cash to move out to his wife’s indigenous community. The way he got those grouse with a stick and noose was WIZARDRY! His accent was also a pure delight. Thanks so much for this post, aside from my rambling about how much I love William.
I'm currently reading the novel Isola about a 16th century woman who survived for years after being abandoned on a deserted island (based on a true story). There is something so compelling about stories that remind us how little we truly need to survive - and even thrive. Spending my days earnestly helping multi-millionaires debate whether they can quit their 6 figure jobs requires some real cognitive dissonance!
Wow! There's a 10-week wait for one of my city library's 20 copies of ISOLA, a book I wasn't even aware of 10 minutes ago. Can't wait to check it out this summer.
It's good! Someone highly recommended it to me and I'm glad I finally picked it up. PS the prologue and back of the book center her on the island so it's not a huge spoiler, but that part is just a portion of the book. A great read, especially if you like historical fiction (and want to feel especially grateful for our more modern feminist 'problems').
I recently took a job making less money, for something I'm more excited to be doing. It was a pretty overwhelming decision of balancing pros/cons and right/wrong. The last paragraph really resonated with me!!
I loved this! And this conclusion! Also also for any Alone fans -- New Hampshire public radio podcast Outside/In did an incredible episode about Alone and class and gender in 2022 called "The reality of History's Alone"
Awesome read; I love the term “internal coherence” - I’ve used “personal alignment” or similar but I believe it is the only way we can make decisions for ourselves, and ultimately for the better of others. This world is so wild and like intricately divine and we are mere humans, who are we to know rationally what is ethical vs not? Kind of a radical thought and I love your opening the conversation like this- such good examples. Thanks for this perspective and for the rec to read Anastasia’s essay !!
This was such a treat to read after having recently finished Season 11 of Alone. Peak television! Both Timber and William were so compelling, and also much love to Dub who was also a homie. Love your analysis on Timber's reasons for leaving and William's for staying. I believe both of them were 100% geniune.
Yes!!!!!! You’re the white little brain sister I’ve never had Katie! In March I wrote about how OBSESSED my family became with this show and wrote about the show through the lens of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. I think about this show more often in my day to day life than anything else I’ve ever seen in tv. Season 11 got me hooked but since then I’ve become fond of rosy cheeked spoon artisan Fowler, naked sauna Callie and needs therapy and a hug Roland. I love you for writing this!!!!!! Gahhhh!!!!
Loved this piece and the philosophy behind it! You (your character) are what you do, etc. And not necessarily even in a good or bad way, but if you are making the decisions that shape who you are, you better know/recognize the motives behind them.
Also I've never watched Alone so a lovely little intro to the show.
Beautiful piece of writing today. Not withstanding random luck and circumstance, life is still about choices. Choices reflect preferences, and preferences exist for society, for the family, for the couple and, Inevitably, for the individual. The triumph and burden of capitalism is that it increases choices. You can prefer, and join, a commune. And even change your mind and leave it. Socialism, sadly, makes life "easier" by reducing choices. You cannot choose to opt in or out.
Loved this essay, Katie! I am also a fan of Alone and hadn’t totally processed Timber’s decision to leave (I had such a good time watching William be so silly with his amazing accent, I was excited for him to win after being convinced Timber would). This helped to bring a broader understanding to his decision, and other survivalists from their respective seasons. What are we all chasing and why?
Can't believe I read every word about a TV show I've never seen to reveal an ultimate truth. Great stuff!
Ahhh I am so delighted someone else shares my interests of Alone and personal finance! Re: William, I also think it was easy for him to “stay for the money” because he loved it so much out there. You see him volunteer for another season as soon as they tell him he’s won (!) and his wife is like, “yeah no.” I also think it’s kind of hilarious that he finds their tiny sub-5000 population town in Labrador to be too full of hustle and bustle—hence why he wants the cash to move out to his wife’s indigenous community. The way he got those grouse with a stick and noose was WIZARDRY! His accent was also a pure delight. Thanks so much for this post, aside from my rambling about how much I love William.
Oh my gosh, it’s like the perfect merger of two of my passions! Such a fun read, Katie!
I'm currently reading the novel Isola about a 16th century woman who survived for years after being abandoned on a deserted island (based on a true story). There is something so compelling about stories that remind us how little we truly need to survive - and even thrive. Spending my days earnestly helping multi-millionaires debate whether they can quit their 6 figure jobs requires some real cognitive dissonance!
Wow! There's a 10-week wait for one of my city library's 20 copies of ISOLA, a book I wasn't even aware of 10 minutes ago. Can't wait to check it out this summer.
It's good! Someone highly recommended it to me and I'm glad I finally picked it up. PS the prologue and back of the book center her on the island so it's not a huge spoiler, but that part is just a portion of the book. A great read, especially if you like historical fiction (and want to feel especially grateful for our more modern feminist 'problems').
I recently took a job making less money, for something I'm more excited to be doing. It was a pretty overwhelming decision of balancing pros/cons and right/wrong. The last paragraph really resonated with me!!
Great piece and timely for an ongoing household discussion about money.
As a Sassy-Stan, she is a pine marten not a Wolverine 😂 William & that Labrador accent 4ever
I loved this! And this conclusion! Also also for any Alone fans -- New Hampshire public radio podcast Outside/In did an incredible episode about Alone and class and gender in 2022 called "The reality of History's Alone"
Awesome read; I love the term “internal coherence” - I’ve used “personal alignment” or similar but I believe it is the only way we can make decisions for ourselves, and ultimately for the better of others. This world is so wild and like intricately divine and we are mere humans, who are we to know rationally what is ethical vs not? Kind of a radical thought and I love your opening the conversation like this- such good examples. Thanks for this perspective and for the rec to read Anastasia’s essay !!
Great read. I got contacted by a casting agent for Alone some years back... I still wonder about the what if's! 💰
This was such a treat to read after having recently finished Season 11 of Alone. Peak television! Both Timber and William were so compelling, and also much love to Dub who was also a homie. Love your analysis on Timber's reasons for leaving and William's for staying. I believe both of them were 100% geniune.
This is beautiful. Been a fan for years. Love how your writing has evolved. Never disappointed. Keep it up!
Have I ever heard of or watched alone? No. Have I even ever watched survivor? Also no. Did I read and enjoy every second of this essay? Yes!
Yes!!!!!! You’re the white little brain sister I’ve never had Katie! In March I wrote about how OBSESSED my family became with this show and wrote about the show through the lens of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. I think about this show more often in my day to day life than anything else I’ve ever seen in tv. Season 11 got me hooked but since then I’ve become fond of rosy cheeked spoon artisan Fowler, naked sauna Callie and needs therapy and a hug Roland. I love you for writing this!!!!!! Gahhhh!!!!
https://thesabbaticalist.substack.com/p/the-sabbaticalist-052-the-maslovian?r=8x7pe&utm_medium=ios
Loved this piece and the philosophy behind it! You (your character) are what you do, etc. And not necessarily even in a good or bad way, but if you are making the decisions that shape who you are, you better know/recognize the motives behind them.
Also I've never watched Alone so a lovely little intro to the show.
Beautiful piece of writing today. Not withstanding random luck and circumstance, life is still about choices. Choices reflect preferences, and preferences exist for society, for the family, for the couple and, Inevitably, for the individual. The triumph and burden of capitalism is that it increases choices. You can prefer, and join, a commune. And even change your mind and leave it. Socialism, sadly, makes life "easier" by reducing choices. You cannot choose to opt in or out.
Loved this essay, Katie! I am also a fan of Alone and hadn’t totally processed Timber’s decision to leave (I had such a good time watching William be so silly with his amazing accent, I was excited for him to win after being convinced Timber would). This helped to bring a broader understanding to his decision, and other survivalists from their respective seasons. What are we all chasing and why?
Me, whenever my manager gives me more work. Do I quit my job (for the integrity of course) or stay for the money. Stay tuned until EOD.