The moment continues to be, somehow, both equally vivid and obscured. I recall feeling the pressure, the force of the blow seemingly ages before registering the presence of pain; before tasting the metallic tang of blood on my tongue as it rapidly filled my mouth. I can almost still hear the shouts and epithets while being tackled and grappled to the ground.
However, even through the utter shock and surprise, I crisply remember the burst of interrelated thoughts. First, that I am being physically beaten because I look and think differently. Second, that there can be a very real, very ugly price to be paid for non-conformity; for attempting to live outside of the established norm. Even if that meant nothing more than being a teenage punk-rock kid who stood his ground only to get a beat-down from some local high school jocks.
Certainly not my happiest memory, but that afternoon remains as one of my most exquisite, life-changing moments. A potent, albeit painful, amalgam of understanding and awakening. A moment of meaning. A moment that galvanized the ethos and etiquette that would characterize who I would become and how I chose to interact with the world around me.
As regular readers know, I’ve written extensively on how various strains of alternative music have impacted my life and how punk, specifically, launched my so-called “career” in music. Moreover, punk was an extraordinary influence on my worldview and has forever informed my thoughts and behavior.
In this context, I’m referring to punk as a kind of art. I’m not necessarily speaking of ripped clothes, safety pins and spiked mohawks, but really about its core ideology. In my view, punk is an attitude, an ethos typified by an anti-establishment mentality, a boundary pushing aesthetic and a non-conformist way of being.
While I enjoyed much of the music, it was the lyrical content that provided the portal to exciting places and ideas to explore. Personally, I cite Crass’ “Big A Little A” as having a profound impact on me as a very young man. The embedded messages of individual agency and personal accountability resonated in a way that still guides my decisions these many decades later.
Be exactly who you want to be, do what you want to do
I am he and she is she, but you’re the only you
No one else has got your eyes, can see the things you see
It’s up to you to change your life and my life’s up to me
If you don’t like the life you live, change it now, it’s yours
Nothing has effects if you don’t recognize the cause
If the program’s not the one you want, get up, turn off the set
It’s only you that can decide what life you’re going to get
Crass, “Big A Little A”
Perhaps the best analog is that “Big A Little A” was my proverbial “red pill” out of the Matrix and that its kept me in Wonderland whilst I’ve spent my life exploring the depths of the rabbit hole. In reflecting back all these years later, it’s positively fascinating how much punk has influenced my life.
Without question, the most important impact it has had on me is the penchant for ideas, particularly those that, throughout history, were considered subversive or even transgressive. Punk immediately led me to literature, to iconoclastic authors like Vonnegut, Orwell, Huxley, Bradbury, Burroughs, and Gibson. I found these ideas intoxicating and exhilarating. I quickly discovered, to paraphrase punk writers Alan Moore and Neil Gaiman, “Ideas are bulletproof. They are invisible, and contagious and they move fast.”
These ideas rejected a disinterested, blasé acceptance of the world, of society and systems. Of life. In fact, they encouraged and inspired independence of thought. They stimulated critical and analytical thinking. They made me realize that I could, truly, “get up and turn off the set and choose what life I’m going to get.”
LIVING OFF-SCRIPT
These ideas served as the catalyst for me to assert my own personal agency over the direction of my life and how I was going to live it. Society places a rather large degree of pressure on conformity and for many, particularly in the U.S., there is a somewhat defined life script.
That script, generally, entails such things as a spouse, a house, children, and working a job until the age of retirement. It also tends to include more than healthy doses of consumerism, materialism, and “keeping up with the Joneses-ism”. This is not necessarily an indictment as I’ve had some of these and they certainly can be wondrous, but I was infinitely more intrigued about how I could subversively navigate or obviate altogether some of these “plot points” in a far more interesting and personally rewarding way.
For example, I placed a high value on advanced education, learning and personal development and have pursued those incessantly. I wanted to do meaningful, fulfilling work in a corporate setting all the while progressing in my career for the express purpose of attempting to positively change things from a position of authority. At the same time, I wanted to be an active musician and pursue my creative goals. So I did.
I certainly wanted to find love and own a home, but knew I did not want children, and most certainly, I did not want to work until retirement age. That part seemed extremely unsavory. However, I was keen enough to realize that in order to bypass that part of the script, I would need to employ some of those punk values to get me there.
PUNK AS FI
As I’ve been mentally pondering this article, there have been a couple of others published by my pals Freddy Smidlap & AccidentalFire, that have, indirectly, posed the question about whether the pursuit of financial independence and/or early retirement requires “different wiring” or is “punk” in nature. Personally, I believe the aspiration for personal freedom of one’s time embodies the very spirit of punk for a number of reasons. And just like actual punk music, it’s not for everyone. Not by a long-shot.
First, the entire concept is, fundamentally, counter-cultural. It goes deeply against the societal grain, requires a steadfast commitment and, in most cases, demands a vastly different lifestyle. Not one of deprivation, but one that certainly embraces altogether divergent priorities from the norm.
Achieving financial independence forces one to take a critical look at consumerism and evaluate the meaning of our self-worth and individual identities within the context of materialism. It also demands a fierce “Do It Yourself (DIY)” ethic, that is deeply ingrained in punk. Particularly being a small individual investor attempting to build wealth in an environment consisting primarily of large, global financial institutions.
Because of this, the aspirant must have confidence and a consistent, steadfast belief in themselves and their goals. While one may not necessarily get into scraps with high-school jocks, they may be subjected to castigation, bewilderment, or resentment for their beliefs about money, their values and life. In other cases, they may happen across interested parties and help share knowledge and exciting ideas in a captivating, ingratiating way,
As a fairly stalwart anti-consumerist, I consider my own investing to be a somewhat subversive activity in and of itself. I openly recognize the irony of being dependent on consumerism to fuel the growth of my personal wealth. Even more so in the cases of companies I despise, like Facebook and Starbucks, but also happen to own. Is profiting from what I believe to be ludicrous behavior filthy lucre? Sure, but being a shrewd opportunist is also a core punk ideal.
Last, and certainly not least, is the sheer diversity in terms of approaches, backgrounds, shapes, sizes, twists, variants and timelines for success. As Freddy says, people seeking financial independence “Don’t all come in the same packaging. It’s always interesting when someone who does not ‘look the part ends’ up stealthily in early retirement.” And that’s pretty damn cool.
As far as I’m concerned, the FI community is comprised of some pretty punk AF people irrespective of whether they realize it or not.
So let your freak flag FI and stand your ground! Vive le rock!
HOW ABOUT YOU?
What are your thoughts on the “punk” aspects of FI? Fitting correlation or no? As always, I’d love to hear from you.
Punk was not my scene when I was younger, but reading this makes me wonder why it wasn’t? Perhaps because my desire to make my own path in a small town that demanded small town conformity was struggle enough…or perhaps because my exposure to music was limited to two radio stations that played to a small minded audience. Regardless, I relate deeply to deciding what life you are going to get, and pursuing it even if it doesn’t fit the social norms.
Like you, I have placed tremendous value on education, but I have also struggled with how to use my graduate degree while remaining true to who I am. Unfiltered and corporate culture are not always a good fit. Maybe someday I won’t be the one who says what everyone else only thinks, until then I’ll just keep signing that cute little MSN after my name just because I can.
Thanks for another thought provoking piece of writing.
Hi Eryn and thanks for the comment. Yep, you’d have been a stellar punk. In fact, I’d say you’re punk AF now what with your individuality and ethos of living life on your own terms and your own way.
I hear you on leveraging your education in a corporate setting combined with outspoken honesty. That said, I’d like to believe I was an example of successfully doing so. You have the ability to impact real change from the inside – and you are a great candidate for doing so whenever you choose!
Great analogy, Mr. Fate, and one that’s been hiding in plain site. Most FI bloggers espouse the freedom that comes with ‘going against the grain’ and being counter-cultural in their own ways, but I hadn’t drawn the obvious connection to the punk scene. I was a little young for that movement, having grown up in the early 90s, but I can certainly appreciate what it stands for. Personally, I feel connected to the anti-consumerist arm of FI, but I also feel conflicted because we are all gaining our freedom on the backs of capitalism, for better or worse. Framing it as “being opportunistic” is maybe the best way to look at it: we have to make do with the situation that’s thrust upon us, so take the Punk FI approach.
Hey Adam and thanks for popping in and leaving a comment. As I’ve been thinking more about this, it seems like many of the “FI folks” are more about the “Hey, everybody check this out! FI is THE way!” rather than recognizing that is a) a fringe pursuit and b) a deeply counter-cultural one at that. In my opinion, it’s a subversive, not a popular ‘movement’ but I’m admittedly wearing “punk colored lenses.”
I have no qualms with what I now refer to as “The Great Stock N Roll Swindle”. As punk history clearly demonstrates, particularly in the case of the Sex Pistols, you have 2 choices – play the game or be the game 🤘 MMM and others may repudiate the “Consumer Suckas” but it’s because of them and their consumerism that I never have to go to work again. Now, that’s punk!
Hey Fates! I really enjoyed this one. While I wasn’t into the punk scene, I can certainly appreciate the analogy you’ve drawn. Interesting idea.
This passage was especially striking:
“ First, the entire concept is, fundamentally, counter-cultural. It goes deeply against the societal grain, requires a steadfast commitment and, in most cases, demands a vastly different lifestyle. Not one of deprivation, but one that certainly embraces altogether divergent priorities from the norm.”
Really well put. As I’ve remarked before, you have a way with words. Keep ‘em coming.
Hey Chris and thanks for stopping by to leave a comment. I deeply appreciate the kind words and glad you enjoyed reading the article. I’d been noodling this one for a bit, but thought the countercultural aspects of punk music and the pursuit of FI are definitely aligned.
Good one Mr. Fate.
I think your analogy with punk fits perfect. FI is essentially going against the grain and not conforming to mainstream society. That’s probably one of my biggest struggles with corporate America, I hate being told what to do, and even more infuriating is being told to do stupid shit that doesn’t even make sense. But we all make our own sacrifices to get paid and work toward whatever sights we have set for ourselves.
I was more on the skater side than what I would define as “traditional punk” – mohawks and safety pins. But newer punk like Strung Out shaped a lot of my mind set toward anti-authority, which I still believe in today. As long as you’re not hurting anyone, you should be allowed to do whatever you want with your own time on your own land. I also wrote a lot of songs with the punk ethos in high school and college that helped me process my own life.
My dreams of touring in a punk band were just that, dreams. After college, I went the corporate route pretty quick and got sucked into the money game. It’s not really a regret necessarily never pursuing music, but more of an enigmatic what if I’ll play out from time to time.
Always good writing and insight here MF. Keep up the great work.
Hi Q-Fi and thanks for the comment. I hear you on the not enjoying being told what to do as a part of corporate life. I was grateful I ultimately got to a place where I could be the “teller” and like to believe I made things slightly better for all in my roles. Anyway, being truly able to do my own thing on my own terms was worth all of it, for sure.
Touring a band sounds far more glamorous than it actually is, so I promise you didn’t miss out on much. And who’s to say that isn’t still in the cards for you. Never say never, my man! Vive le rock 🤘
good one, mr. fate, and thanks for the mention. you said it well with referring to punk as more of an art. i was late to the punk music scene, for instance, but the attitude of “i’m going to carve this path my own way and own this one life” has always been there since my teen years. it’s not that i feel the consumerists or people following the traditional path are wrong or less. it’s just not a path for me. i wrote an early post about investing in things i loathe where i am perfectly happy to profit from shares of companies whose products or services i would never use. in fact, i can almost use my tastes as a yardstick for an investment. if i think it’s idiotic then it probably makes a sound investment.
i’m happy for all the people who figured out they own this one and only life of theirs. who cares what the neighbors, the celebutants, or the popular kids are all doing?
Thanks for the comment and the contribution to the article, Freddy. Much appreciated 🤘
I totally agree with you on the paths of life. I have no problem with what anyone else does per se, but everyone should know that the path ought to be their own and strive to make “the life they’re going to get.” Sadly, on occasion I run into people who realized too far into the game that they were following what others though or was expected by society and have regrets.
Yes, I absolutely relish profiting from what I consider the idiocy of others, even more so with companies I dislike. The Great Stock ‘N Roll Swindle!
Vive le rock!!
Hey J and thanks for stopping by to comment. Vive le rock, indeed, sir 🤘
I was never into punk music or that rocker crowd, but I was definitely a rebel growing up and have been called a punk on many an occasion…so I think that counts lol. Bob Marley fueled my rebel streak if I can put it to music: “Emancipate yourself from mental slavery, not but ourselves can free our minds…”
I got into more than a little trouble in high school and then trouble early on in the Navy for some of my non conformist traits, but the Navy won that battle (they don’t lose too many). Even joining the Navy was a form of rebellion for me going against my friends and my neighborhood at the time. I enjoy doing things that take discipline, and that’s what’s appealing about the FI thing for me; the hardcore saving, the conscious spending, the nerding out on finance, all of that is against the grain of what we see and hear all around us.
There’s a deep sense of satisfaction from using the main stream consumption of others to enrich my net worth. It’s the same happy grateful feeling i get speeding down the freeway and seeing the other side is clogged up in nasty commuter traffic.As you point out, it’s more than ironic that the ever hungry consumer behavior we scoff at, we dearly need to thrive.
Hey, Noel and thanks for the comment. Like Freddy says “none of us come in the same package” although we end up at the same destination for the same reasons. Marley was punk before punk, so that makes sense.
I also like the stripped-down, hard-core work that FI demands and if silly consumers do wacky stuff to make us wealthy, then I’m totally fine with that!
I was never super punk, but I had funny colored hair, wore Docs, and went to my friends’ punk shows. Like you, I wasn’t interested in conformity and often felt that I didn’t feel like everyone else. I was accepted by nearly everyone, but that didn’t mean that I felt like I fit in with everyone, nor did I want to hang out with everyone. I was a “jock” girl simply because I played sports, but I shared next to nothing in common with them and struggled with the team aspect of sports.
To this day, I still march to the beat of a different drum, though I stand out far less. No more purple hair. These days I rebel by avoiding manicures and expensive cars. Could I adored those things? Yeah, sure, but I don’t care about them. I’d rather be the millionaire next door.
Also like you, it bothers me that my personal wealth is based upon others’ consumerism, but I can’t control that. People will do what they want with their money. And we’re doing what we want with ours. We may not love Facebook or Starbucks, but plenty of others do, right?
Hi Katie and hope you’re doing great! I’m pretty sure just like you and me, anyone reading this post certainly marches to the beat of their own drum and has “chosen the life they want” as Crass would say.
My current fashion ‘rebellion’ such as it is, is dying my hair brown with a blonde streak, but that’s about it. My primary act of subversion is being FI and retired. In all honesty, I have zero problem gaining wealth by the consumerism of others and particularly relish it when it’s from those particular companies. I consider it my personal version of the “Great Stock ‘N Roll Swindle” as the Sex Pistols would likely refer to it 🤘. Thanks for the comment and hope you’re summer’s been amazing so far!
Great stuff dude, and so crazy we had similar posts queued up a few days apart! I like how you put it – that being anti-consumerist is basically a subversive act in modern America. That’s so true. Whether you consider it “living off-script” as you put it or “50 yards away” as I wrote about, it’s basically about making your own path and caring less what others think of you.
And like you music shaped my freak personality, although I’m pretty sure my music tastes are a bit more broad than yours. I was happy to be a fan of acts like the Buzzcocks, the Clash, Fugazi, and Husker Du who I consider mostly punk. But when I told some of my fellow Fugazi lovers that I also loved Billy Joel, Elton John, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Willie Nelson, they gave me a weird look. Again, I was just forging my own path. I won’t be put in a box.
Thanks for the comment, Dave! Yeah, it’s pretty cool that our similar posts came out the same week. Freddy’s was last month. Great minds, wha? Yep, being anti-consumer is definitely an act of defiance and subversion nowadays.
Music definitely shaped my life to an almost unfathomable extent. I literally can’t imagine what it would it would have turned out like without it – infinitely less interesting and with not nearly as many great adventures, for sure.