55 Comments

Each point is absolutely brilliant apart from Lie 10, which I partly agree with. I actually think most people lack self compassion and self trust, and these are very important because when people don't love or trust themselves they are constantly looking for leaders and for others to take responsibility for their lives. Society doesn't teach us to be strong in ourselves - it teaches us to fear our separateness, that the outside world is a dangerous place.

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Lots for me to think about. Thank you.

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Your post gave me a lot to think about, which is why I love your work Tim. 😊

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Focus on yourself until you are healthy, then focus on others too.

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Great list. I especially enjoyed the anecdote about Tom Cruise. I heard a story once and I don't know if it's true, but apparently Marilyn Monroe went "undercover" in Grand Central Station once. She dropped her posture, turned off her incredible stance and acted like everyone else. And nobody noticed her. So perhaps it's not just smartphones that dull the senses. Or perhaps the story is untrue, who knows. In either case, good writing!

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I had no idea. Thanks for sharing that story.

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Like the Superman effect? I don't remember if it's a real thing, but I read that people don't see Superman in Clark Kent in the stories not because of his glasses. It's because he does not exude "super" while he is being Clark Kent. Supposedly, it happens in real life, too. Nobody sees you because you don't present yourself as something great.

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Apr 20, 2023Liked by Tim Denning

Really liked your well thought out list except for #10. I agree with some of it , the self improvement focus has brought about more self-centredness, however if taught in a better format it would lead to individuals being more caring and compassionate as they would be centered in the self rather than self-centred. I believe that has always been the difficulty in the self help movement. A great article.

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Cheers Paulette.

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Amazing article as always

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Cheers Curtis!

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Apr 20, 2023Liked by Tim Denning

This was such a valuable read and I friggin love the concept of phone zombies😆Just say no to phone zombies, only humans who can connect please. I delete 90 percent of what shows up in my inbox but I always read your work. Thanks for putting it out into the world.

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Means a lot Kit.

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Great article. Particularly the bit about wealthy pollies saying things just to get votes. It makes me wonder what they do to get wealthy when they're supposed to be "governing" us

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One day this system will change. For now, we just have to live with it.

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I don't think I'll be here to see that. Unfortunately. But I can wish.

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We agree. We usually do. Nice job, Tim.

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Much love.

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Tim, point #2 as you state it is true for me based on my observations. Specially the part regarding how the super rich create entities such as foundations to avoid taxes and enjoy what their wealth can purchase. What’s your take on how governments should optimally operate in order to thrive. And how does taxation work in that system. Those are big questions. Refer me to your prior articles if that answers the questions.

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Great thought Geoff. I think when you add more transparency to the financial system through technologies like blockchain, it's much harder to fudge the numbers. As more countries adopt central bank digital currencies I suspect this will help to solve the issue.

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Tim,

Thank you for the reply. How will the uber wealthy try to circumvent the new technologies?

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Apr 20, 2023Liked by Tim Denning

Tim - I always love reading you and this time you won my hearth with #8

I know you are the proud father of a little girl, and it's great to know that you understand the consequences (and how unfair it is) to force our children into compliance because of our control issues or of our own need to comply with standard.

Really glad to read that are not one of those "kids needs discipline" kind of parent!

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Hell yeah Nadia. Let's free kids minds so they can be creative and get more than a job with a white picket fence and a boatload of debt.

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Thank you. This is amazing truthful and open content! Highly valuable. I enjoyed the end so much, we have forgotten that our purpose is to serve others. The wealthiness of a society depends on its capacity of people serving one another.

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Spot on David. Great reminder.

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Apr 21, 2023·edited Apr 21, 2023Liked by Tim Denning

Alas! You've exposed and listed them out.

In India, a few centuries ago, at least before the British invaded, the motives of the people in this region were always liberation, charity, and selflessness.  But when the British found new ways to loot their possessions, people in India were scared and started protecting their own.  Later, it became habitual, and accumulating wealth over and above what one actually needs is what today’s world revolves around.  Meanwhile, they forgot the actual purpose of life and raced to catch something that doesn't actually exist.

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Udaya many of my Indian friends say something similar. Interesting.

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Spot on article! Especially lie #1!

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Hell yeah Victor!

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Aussie in London for a couple of months. On the tube today. Looked around to see if Tom Cruise was onboard. Alas, not today 😊

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Haha some would say that's a good thing Robyn.

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#2 requires sources. Unless you have a doctorate in economics like Paul Krugman, who would vehemently disagree with your taxes argument, maybe you shouldn't speak on the topic because your hyperbolic take sounds like you have no real desire to understand the subject.

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This is common knowledge Dave. Just look at how many billionaires pay almost zero tax.

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Nobody said taxing the rich would fix everything, but it's damned good start.

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The rich are already taxed they just find clever ways to avoid it. Because the rich set the laws.

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Hey Twitter has shadow banned Substack. How is that freedom of speech?

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That was temporary Zarine and a misunderstanding. Substack isn't blocked anymore.

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Hi Tim. Yes. But it is still shadow banned.

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