Lurkers

Dorothea · Post by **Dorothea** » Tue Nov 27, 2012 7:02 pm

I'm a chronic lurker. I tend to be on Internet forums anyway, but all the investment talk is currently over my head as well. I am currently more concerned with getting some stable money coming in, the rest I will worry about later.

I am not too concerned about privacy. I am not telling anyone about ERE and I doubt anyone would be actually interested. And if someone googling me wants to judge me for not spending over my means, I probably won't value their opinion too much either.

MrsKensington · Post by **MrsKensington** » Wed Nov 28, 2012 4:47 am

I am a grateful lurker!

Thanks for sharing, everyone. Each comment you all make is a little gem I stash away. Your thoughts are stepping stones for me as I get my future in gear, and try to raise a kid with good values and a kind heart.

I have posted a very few times, because I don't have much to contribute. Maybe someday...

sheepstache · Post by **sheepstache** » Wed Nov 28, 2012 6:14 am

The MMM forum is a little more chatty and light-hearted, so I'm more inclined to post there. There may be a feedback loop that because this forum isn't as active, each post feels more "weighty"--I mean, my god, post something that no one responds to and your name will be on the front page for two weeks!--which in turn slows the activity down even more. But also I feel like posts here are a bit more considered and thoughtful and there's less filler. I mean, listen, there's no end to how much I can discuss bike commuting. But it seems like a) there's a narrower range of topics being discussed at any given time, b) I feel like I shouldn't post just to chime in or agree with something somebody else has already said and c) the environment is such that it inspires me to only respond if the thread has caused me to think of something original to me, not just re-hash an opinion I've shared many times before elsewhere. Of course, I only joined a little while ago.

Chad · Post by **Chad** » Wed Nov 28, 2012 1:38 pm

"The MMM forum is a little more chatty and light-hearted"
I think this forum self-selected for a very high number of people who don't like small talk.

secretwealth · Post by **secretwealth** » Thu Nov 29, 2012 6:16 am

"I think this forum self-selected for a very high number of people who don't like small talk."
Agreed, but it is rather difficult to maintain a forum without much small talk.

Dragline · Post by **Dragline** » Thu Nov 29, 2012 6:16 am

Shhh. This forum is Fight Club. You're not supposed to talk about it with outsiders.

@jenny -- you're not "low rent", you're just "high value."

Catanduva · Post by **Catanduva** » Thu Nov 29, 2012 12:04 pm

Lurking in the dark here, as King Diamond sings.

sshawnn · Post by **sshawnn** » Thu Nov 29, 2012 3:54 pm

Hey ffjeff!

Yes, you were definitely targeted when I initiated this thread. Your comments were some of the initial comments on my first few journal posts. I noticed that most of those posters from just under two years ago were absent from posting currently.
I will check out Control Your Cash
Toska
I hope this phenomenon persists....
"ERE also actively gets rid of its most devoted adherents. They are out tending their kids, gardening or reading a book on a beach. They may not be FI yet but they're living a lifestyle away the computer. "

RealPerson · Post by **RealPerson** » Thu Nov 29, 2012 9:20 pm

I have just recently discovered this forum. It is really awesome. I am amazed that so many people have such interesting ideas to share. After reading this website/blog/forum I ran some numbers and realized that I have been FI for years. Retirement just never dawned upon me. That may sound strange but that is the truth.
I would not be inclined to share my posts with people I know, precisely because I would feel less comfortable posting freely. The anonymity of the forum is one reason I think it is so appealing to share your true thoughts. It is a little like Jacob said: you get tired of being beaten up for thinking differently. Why not just keep things to yourself and skip the bashing? I think you are very unlikely to persuade someone to practice ERE, unless they are inclined to do so anyway. So what is the point in trying?
By the way, I am glad Jacob came forward. Without his website, I would never have made the step to recognizing my FI. Hopefully people will discover his site as they become interested. As the old saying goes: "when the student is ready, the teacher appears".

My_Brain_Gets_Itchy · Post by **My_Brain_Gets_Itchy** » Fri Nov 30, 2012 2:00 am

Hi,
Long time lurker, first post!
Joined in March 2012 but was on the site lurking long before that. (Read Jacobs book in 2011).
As a fellow INTJ, aspiring ERE (2015), with minimalist and nomadic values, I find this site to be the best concentration of like minded people for me on the internet (and also in my real life).
I find most posters here are incredibly insightful and analytical in a way that really scratches the itch on my brain.
I just wanted to send out a thank you to the many here who don't know it but are role models for me, the way they live their lives, how they think and do.
Also, I hope to contribute now that I have finally posted..
-mbgi

ere 2015

Post by **jacob** » Fri Nov 30, 2012 3:43 am

Like all things, the forum does have a "been there done that"-quality. Those who reach ERE fade away and go and do other things.
I did that with the blog.
The forum is different because I consider you guys my friends.

Dragline · Post by **Dragline** » Fri Nov 30, 2012 3:52 am

You're a good man, Jacob Lund Fisker.

sshawnn · Post by **sshawnn** » Fri Nov 30, 2012 4:03 am

My wife will catch me checking on the forum and her standard response is ,"what are your friends saying?"

My_Brain_Gets_Itchy · Post by **My_Brain_Gets_Itchy** » Fri Nov 30, 2012 1:59 pm

Although I would say that I did have a lot of ERE 'values' before fully dedicating my purpose and time to ERE (I am a strong INTJ- and a virgo to boot), making the transition and change to ERE has had a large impact on all areas of my life.
I found a big reason of my successful transitioning/change to ERE was letting go of my peer groups that were based on comfort and pleasure.
In hindsight, a bulk majority of my social settings and peers were based on comfort and pleasure, rather than learning and growth, which for the most part, is how I see most of the posters here live their life.
While there is nothing wrong with comfort and pleasure in and of itself, when it becomes a modus operandi, it took me a while to realize for me personally at least, that that type of life is unsustainable.
Since my life has been focused on ERE and learning and growth, and I unequivocally say I am so much more happier.