98. ALAN WATTS: What if money was no object?
Alan Watts (1915-1973) was an English philosopher and writer who played a large part in popularising Zen Buddhism in the west. He gained a wide following after moving to the United States where he published numerous books on Zen and Eastern philosophy. During the 60s and 70s he toured extensively on the college lecture circuit and became a celebrity among the growing youth movement. Watts had over 25 books published and recorded over 400 lectures, many of which have found a new audience on YouTube.
This is another example of my readers educating me. I had never heard of Alan Watts before so thanks to everyone who suggested I look into him and adapt one of his quotes.
- Watch the great YouTube video this quote was taken from.
- There’s a ton of Alan Watts stuff on YouTube, some of his lectures have even been animated by Trey Parker and Matt Stone.
- You can also get an Alan Watts app for the iPhone containing all his lectures.
- The official Alan Watts website.
- I’m finally on Google+, check out the new Zen Pencils page.
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I LOVE Alan Watts. This is a great quote and an excellent comic. I highly anticipate your new piece every week, this was a great one to kick off the new year. May you have a prosperous year, thanks for doing what you do!
This comic is actually my first direct exposure to Allen Watts, though I’ve encountered his teachings indirectly for years.
Maybe I should pick up a biography; seems like it would be a great read.
One of the things I’m thankful for is that I actually enjoy working with computers and technology. As long I’m careful about the kind of work environments I pick, I can do what I love and money is rarely an issue. I not only get to face interesting technical challenges, I also get to challenge myself in my ability to communicate. Sure, my coworkers are interesting and respectful, but we still disagree on stuff all the time.
I guess what I’m trying to say is, not all “office” jobs are dreary cubicles where you turn your brain off.
Heh. Acronym buddy.
I like that panel because I think it’s more a Rorschach test than you’d first think. It’s a cubicle, but that outfit is so a fast food uniform. One of the classier ones, like Sbux or something, but still.
I think if you take this lecture, and add to it Neil Gaiman’s commencement speech, and you’ve got a good compass. Just because there’s a computer, indeed, doesn’t mean the job is terrible if you like what you’re doing. My nephew wants to be an accountant. I would *die*, he thinks playing with math all day is amazing. And not all of us have the privilege of being a white north american healthy man in the seventies to become a Buddhist monk and survive by giving lectures. (And I love Alan Watts, but he reeks of privilege sometimes) But as long as where you’re going is *closer* to where you want to be, as long as you never give up on getting there, you’re going the right way. It doesn’t have to be a binary choice, you know? I think, anyway.
Gavin, your site has started making me want to cry. I think you’re sending me a message that it’s time for a change — maybe well past time for it.
Keep doing what you’re doing. And stay on the journey you’re on.
Great quote, and beautifully interpreted as usual.
Love it!
Gavin, first off, you’re amazing. Yes, “me and Jesus made sweet love” amazing. I’ve been a fan of your site for a long time now. But seeing the bit about Google+, reminded me a quote from a great man: “I’m constantly checking my phone, whether it be my email, Facebook or Twitter (I don’t think I could handle anymore, like Pinterest, Instagram or Google+), and it’s my security blanket when I’m alone in public. This can’t be good.”
I know I know, I’ve got quite a few requests to join Google+ and I always like interacting with readers. Everything in moderation
Such a cool comic and quote. I’ve got some googling to do do on Alan Watts now, thanks! Oh btw, I think you have the South Park guys last names reversed. You have, Trey Stone and Matt Parker and I think it’s the Matt Stone and Trey Parker. Anyways, love the comics!
Fixed that error, what an idiot
Wow. It’s insane just how much this comic and quote hit home for me right now. Great post, especially early on in the new year.
Amazing work, as always!
We have included a video edit of this quote in our curated creativity & inspiration video blog. Keep up it up!
OK, this made me cry, It’s perfect Gavin, I identify with it, totally. Thank you so much!
You know, this comic has me thinking about my decision to go to the college that I’m currently attended. Academically renowned, but I don’t enjoy the hard sciences and I have no time left for what I do enjoy – reading and writing. Maybe it’s time to rethink some decisions.
I think that you may be right. But, if you enjoy the long-term goal that studying those sciences will give you, then it’s worth it. What this comic is talking about relates more to long-term living, not short term. University is a short-term thing. You know that it will end. However, what you choose to do with the knowledge you gain…long-term life choices is what he is actually commenting on. It’s like going to the gym. Nobody really enjoys the pain, but in the long-term it’s good for you and you will reap the harvest of what you sowed into. Life is full of challenges and pain, but if the end result satisfies what we are pushing for, then it’s worth it. If the end result doesn’t, then it’s time to rethink things.
Awesome story! Really inspiring!
welcome back Gav.
Happy new year.
Of course, I have to watch out for falling into the trap that last week’s comic depicts!
Contradictory huh? … LOL!
First off, I just stumbled over your blog and I love it. Sometimes I think that I got the meaning of a quote by just reading it, but that’s not always true. By adding pictures and a story to the quote, it’s easier for me to understand it on a deeper level and to keep it in mind in the daily life. So thanks a lot for that, I really enjoy your style and overall work!
To your post: I am exactly at that point in my life where I have to decide which profession to choose. It’s not hard to know what you want – but to clearly identify the reasons why you want it is challenging. Sometimes you realize only after you accomplished something that you actually did it for others (to earn their acceptance and admiration) and not for yourself, but in the beginnging it felt like you really wanted it.
AWESOME, Gav!
I would totally buy this print.
I think I would too
Then just DO IT. That’s the way the artist will live with his art.
I would also buy a print if possible. Love it!
I keep checking back to check if it is available yet. Please. Please make it so! Even if it is just in a format that I could take and get printed. I dream about this being on a long silk style banner hanging down my wall.
This is quite interesting – the fact that eventually you get to do what you want and then money comes to you.
Hi Gavin what a FANTASTIC cartoon to start the year!! I think it’s one of my favourites. The message is so true, I sure have done my fair share of jobs for money which I’ve hated. Fortunately I’ve had some inspiring jobs too! Like working for the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne. These days I’m chasing my cartooning, writing and illustration interests.
I’d like to say a special thank you, to you Gavin, for helping to inspire me to get off my butt and start my own weekly cartoon blog (mainly single panels about life). I started it last year about 7 months after you started Zen Pencils.
I’m inspired by my small audience of readers and I am inspired to create good art!! Most importantly I am loving doing what I love to do which is hopefully make people laugh. Feel free to check it out lifeascartoons.weebly.com
Thanks again
Sonya
Is the 3rd from last pane supposed to say “feel” in “and then you’ll be able to get a good fee for whatever it is.”
Still a great quote
No, fee as in people paying you to teach it to them, ergo riding school.
Awesome comic Gav! This is exactly what I appreciate about you. You went out of your way and did what you wanted to……
this is it, thank you once more
But, what about us, those sad, sad excuses for human beings who can’t even answer the question?
All my life i’ve been trying to figure this out, and i can’t find my answer, and i feel like i’m running out of time, working in something that gives me no satisfaction but pays the bills. It depresses the hell out of me =/
The blog is great, btw, went through the whole archives and enjoyed it a lot.
Try everything. If you walk past an art shop and see some canvas or paints on sale go in and buy them. Go home and paint. If you don’t like it do something else. When you see an awesome dish on TV try to make it on your own if it sucks throw it away and order Pizza. Trying is the only way.
I love your name XD
And yeah, go for it Jack!
I have that problem.. recently figured out that it’s because I want to do everything. I can’t focus! I’m about to start a new job, and as I’ve been packing, I’ve found art supplies, language books, journals (a.k.a. tiny novel segments), various musical instruments… And I want to do ALL of it!
OH MY GOD. I SEE A FIGHT CLUB REFERENCE.
OH MY GOD. I SEE A FIGHT CLUB REFERENCE.
Lovely quote, lovely comic! The part about “better to have a short life” made me a bit sad though… one of the reasons I feel intense pressure to stay in a corporate job (that I don’t dislike, but isn’t my passion) is the health insurance, which I can’t do without and can’t afford as an individual. Many people, especially in the US, might literally have a shorter life if they did not “do things [they] don’t like in order to keep living”.
That’s why I prefer the Bukowski quote on “Air and light”, personally.
So I recently found your blog while stumbling through StumbleUpon & I just love the comics & quotes you do. I even made your blog my home page so I can be refreshed with some wise words every now & then. I was so pleased to see you did a comic on Alan Watts. I recently discovered him a few months back & I’ve been in love with him since. I’m currently reading “Become Who You Are” by him, a lot of people suggested its a good starter book for him, I suggest it as well to you if you gain further interest. His philosphy on “Nothingness” is wonderful too.
Great comics, really, please continue!
Make that girl a brunette and that girl is me in the wheel of office work. It’s not fun, believe me.
Wow, I just discovered your site (thanks to a blog post on io9 featuring a wonderful comic/quote with Walt Whitman’s words) and I’m instantly greeted with an equally great comic/quote featuring my all-time favorite philosopher! I have quite a number of the best Alan Watts clips and lectures gathered on my the Youtubes channel:
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6F3AC2A90A026ED8&feature=mh_lolz
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7gB0IA1jXx49aApqJWKDR5knzOuO7Hcg&feature=mh_lolz
Favorite clips include, “What Is It To See?”; “Life is a Dance”; and “The Way of Waking Up”. And here are two seasons of a television series he did back in the late ’50s/early ’60s (in order):
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7gB0IA1jXx5S24hnFT1j9CF_ou-4x9As&feature=mh_lolz
If you ever plan on doing another Watts comic, let me know! I’ve got a few choice quotes of his (they’re endless, really).
And now, off to the archives!
great comic eagerly waiting for the next one!!
Tranlated and adapted the comic book to Portuguese, and if you allow, I’m spreading it. An orientation like this should reach as many people as possible.
I am starting my journey to do what I love this year. Starting with baby steps, but moving toward my ultimate goal. But I only feel comfortable doing this because I got a low six-figure inheritance from my grandfather, and so I don’t worry about making enough money to do it. Then again, two of my cousins did crazy things and pursued their dreams last year, even without money on which to fall back, and it worked out well for them.
Anyway, it’s time to take my life back from mediocrity and do what I want to do, and your comics have been part of the inspiration for me.
Better to use your inheritance on doing what you love than frivolous things. Sounds like you’re doing it right.
Been following you for a while Gav, I love your work! I have heard this quote before but in this context it especially hits home. I studied astrophysics in my undergraduate and as much as I loved learning about it I couldnt really see myself in the field. The more I think about it the more I want to make a living doing what I love, climbing, backpacking, and mountaineering. This comic made me tingle all over, affirming that I need to take a leap of faith and do what I love.
Thank you Gav
inspiring… as always!
I do agree completely!
Wow. This comic is so relevant to me right now you wouldn’t even know. After getting back from SacAnime and meeting Kyle Hebert, Maile Flannigan, and Liam O’Brien, I have dropped my meh plan of becoming a police officer, follow in the old man’s footsteps, and am chasing my dream of becoming a voice actor. Then this gem appears in my inbox. Thank you so much, Gav.
Kickin’ logic to the curb to do the impossible!
Thanks everyone, I know it’s especially hard today where people are just grateful to have a steady job and support their family. I’m pretty lucky to have made my leap of faith in Australia, where the economy is stable compared to the rest of the world.
Brilliant comics! I keep saying your works gets me every time and this one’s the most striking yet. I keep saying the completely exact words of what your set of students said. I was able to merge my being into this comic since I think and feel the same way. Very reflective and effective comic you got here. Kudos to you Gav, you’ve got yourself a big fan here
I’ve been following your work for a good while now and I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate your brilliant illustrations and your ability to convey such meaningful and powerful thoughts in such an accessible manner. I have really, truly thought about every one of your entries, and I believe it has made me a happier, healthier, and stronger person. I have told many of my friends about your site and I am always so stoked when you have a new post up. Thank you, and please keep doing what you are doing.
Crying now. Alan Watts–and this comics–somehow solved all my life problems.
Thank you for this !
This is important question for people who need to choose their college/uni. I wanted to study languages because that’s something I really liked. People were like what are you doing, that’s pointless etc. But I’ve decided to follow my dream and let’s see how that will turn out! Thank you for this comic. I love it!
LOVE this.
Seriously.
I want to write, and writing’s exactly what I’m doing. But I have to admit, I still get caught up in the money mindset sometimes. After all, those bills need to be paid if I want to keep a roof over my head…
Wow. Love this quote and the way you created a visual scenario, which then gave the words more meaning
The last line hits so hard.
Ha, that reminds me very much of something I’ve always said: http://www.annaspysz.com/about
Thanks! That’s pretty much the same way of thinking that made me leave my stable and secure job in 2012 and thrust into the unknown. Discovered the talent to voice act instead of teaching people (which was my specialty), now I remember with deep relief the times when I was getting up in the morning with “hope the workday ends soon” thoughts.
Great story. Remind me when I was coming to university, I just wanted to pursue thing that I love. You really give my motivation back. Thanks.
I try and hold back the tears of joy because this strikes me right in the heart again and again. Thank you so much and keep up the beautiful accessible comics!
Nailing down that desire is often not easy. I have been working on that for a long long time. I think I am on the right path now, but who knows?
Keep up the good work.
When I first discovered your blog I was instantly hooked, though even before that I was hooked on Alan Watts. I have listened to already many of his lectures and I am currently reading one of his books. I always have checked your blog every day just to read the latest comic again. So when I got on this morning to see two of my favorite things mixed together I was so enthusiastic I screamed. I want to thank you, I literally have been waiting a very long time (the first time visited your blog i immediately went to your facebook page and submitted an Alan Watts quote lol) to see this happen
.
Love this. As someone following a creative path and with interests that may not always correlate directly to ‘sustainable employment’, I really like this message.
I’m actually in quite a dilemma with this. I love it, no doubt, it speaks to me like many of other similar quotes.
But right now I’m really just trying to maybe for the first time in my young life to be diligently devoted to work hard to achieving something. Meaning getting my college degree in social economics.
However much I’d like to work in a field that allows me to create more social justice and fight poverty, studying all the meaningless crap as it were in some subjects just doesn’t “itch” me, really.
I’m much more passionat about sciences like pyhsics (which I’m also taking a class in) and also doing extreme sports in foreign places, travelling and meeting locals learning about our planet and the different people.
But I just figure it’s not right to drop out and do that, I’ve got 2 years left till I have my degree and then I’ll do whatever the heck itches me. Unless, and that’s also one to consider, it get married first. I mean I’d look for someone who’s into travelling as well, but with kids and everything it doesn’t seem so reasonable to go ice-climbing, or learn base-jumping.
Anyone got some advice?
PS:
Thanks for the great comic gav, maybe it was the long break, but I just appreciated it more than the last ones.
Good to hear Charles, although you’re thinking about marriage and you haven’t met the girl yet?
Well, considering marriage is where I’d ideally have a relation go, it is something that I take into account. I’m done playing around in this area.
However you are right, before something definite emerges, it is too early to take it into account with present decisions.
I think I’m probably worrying too much anyway, I should be even more thankful for everthing that I do have. That always puts things into a more proper perspective
Awesome quote with an awesome comic, really well done! May I ask, where do you find all your wonderful quotes or inspirations?
As I said, my translation and adaptation to Portuguese: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10200417711864255.2206872.1199809835&type=3
Link not working Emilio
don’t have permission
I’ve just gone through all your arts. Great job man, one of the most precious corners of the internet. Wish you all the best, that’s awesome that you find yourself in doing it, please never stop
Going through the comments, I’m really surprised to see how many people feel the same way as I do. World travel seems to feature on a lot of lists haha. Here in India, a degree in engineering is the status quo for most middle class kids who are bright enough to crack the entrance exam (there are a lot of them). It is because it is considered one of the ‘safest’ things to do. You graduate, take a course in management, get a job and you’re set! Changes are happening in the way people think about careers but engg./med is still pretty much predominant. Right now, I am preparing for my school leaving exams and still really confused about what to study in college. I’d never really given serious thought to anything in this regard and just passively, meekly accepted a path in life. Now I feel like I was blind to and oblivious about so many things in the world. But I know this, I’m going to try my hand at a lot of things in college including – theatre, photography, writing and experimental physics! I’m open to a career in both academics and arts now!
Yay!
Thanks to you I now know who Alan Watts is. I knew about some of his teachings from a professor but never really knew where he got it from.
I’m actually reading all this year so hard in order to pass the exams so I’ll get to go to college and after this I’m just sitting here crying myself out. this quote hit me pretty bad!
One of the challenges people face with following this advice is that our society is structured in a way to discourage it at the fundamental level. “Doing what you want to do” is considered a reward for having sacrificed the majority of your life to something you don’t want to do. Therefore, from birth, people grow up surrounded by a societal structure that strongly interferes with them deciding to go do what they want now, rather than after fifty years of running inside a hamster wheel.
Some people are fortunate – not because they were already born into wealth, but because they have parents who have already bucked society’s conditioning and helped put their child into a position to be able to more easily choose to do what they really want with their life.
Even so, doing what you actually want to do is more possible than many ever believe it is – but it’s not pain free. Because society is built against allowing you to do what you want, and really need, you’re going to be treating society like the enemy to a degree. You’re going to face resistance and backlash both from impersonal social structures, and from people who do not like it when others rock the boat. People can be come surprisingly aggressive when someone comes along and demonstrates to them that their world is not flat. I was once told “Do what you want to do, even if you have to live under a bridge”. We are currently, in general, conditioned to feel that as soon as we become adults our life path is already largely mapped out for us. We are told, even if not in these terms, we are prisoners already. We are expected to have a “career”. To start a family. Buy a house. Become “something”. Think about that. In this society “making something of yourself” means following a rather narrow set of pre-scripted choices that by and large, leave you with little freedom even if you outwardly look like a “success”.
Going off on your own is hard, scary, and you will often find little support or understanding from society at large. It can be especially brutal if your birth family is incapable of understanding and attempts to exert control to “put you on the right path”. Doing what you really want requires a level of independence and often bravery. You may have to walk out on people who don’t understand. You may have to find a new “family” – people who get it, and can offer real assistance to you. Help you take the path you actually want (and need) to take.
Well said Mori
Thanks for your insight.
Don’t agree with all of it. But I liked the paragraph about the parents.
And in my experience, one can slowly and with great patience influence the people around oneself. Sometimes to change their view on something, sometimes to change one own’s view of something (which I as many others don’t like doing as much, but is equally important) or at least get them to accept that you believe something reasonable.
eh…easy to say…
Noboy said it was easy to do either…
Both a corporate career or a great life will take much effort, dedication and, something I think I suck at realizing I’m not gonna make my paper-due in time, discipline and hard work.
Awesome! Excelent work
Allan watts!!!! My favorite author. I have not learned more from one person then him
Thank you thank you thank you. Although I was already committed to this kind of life, it’s really encouraging to see other people talking about it too. I love reading your comics and seeing you live your crazy dream. We’re about to start living ours too, by traveling the country and giving away free pie. Thank you again for all the motivation!
like it
Hi Gavin,
Thanks for this lovely comic. I discovered your site a while ago and have been an avid follower ever since. I’m in uni, doing something I love, and yet have faced some bumps in the road and motivation issues the past months. You’re comics often give me a spark of energy.
Many of your comics seem to imply that you can become ‘anything’ if you want it hard enough and if you totally devote yourself to it. In general I agree with it. However, it doesn’t count for everyone all the time. Any discipline (be it sports, art, whatever) can only have so many masters. Mastery implies that there are many people who won’t achieve that level of skill.
I’m on my way to becoming a journalist / documentary filmmaker, something I have loved all my life and I’m working hard to achieve it. It’s a very tough and competitive line of work, and several of my peers who started out in uni with the same ideal have given up on journalism and are going in other directions, because they feel they don’t want to make the sacrifices or are able to get that far in this profession.
That’s fine of course, but it’s a sobering reminder that not everyone can or will be a master in what they, in their heart, desire most. I do see many of them finding other things that they like a lot and are becoming masters at, but still.
Your work gives me an impulse everytime I look at it, so thanks!
Thumbs up from the Netherlands.
Thanks Maarten, you’re right – the real world isn’t as simple as I depict in my comics, but like you said – giving you an ‘impulse’ is better than telling someone they can’t succeed. Best of luck with your studies.
Great quote, great comic. Thanks for remembering us of that!
Alan Watts was a really genius.
Hey Gavin,
please check out my website and if I can help you in any audio stuff you need let me know keep on doing this amazing job!!!
Many Thanks for all the great work you do I follow up every week many thanks
http://www.fermaxdb.com
u got a really inspirational work , thanks for the great ideas.
What an absolutely wonderful post. I’ve only recently come to the point of being able to fully realize what I want to pursue and making it happen for myself, putting money aside. It’s not easy, but the emotional, spiritual, and mental rewards far outweigh any potential extra bills in my wallet.
Sir,
I would like to tell you something. I studied to become a mechanical engineer,a nd post my course even got a job. It was something I didn’t like. i always wanted to be a writer and in the six months that I had between joining my company and finishing my course I applied to the Indian Express for the post of a journalist. And by some quirk of fate I got it. I began to realise that I got a chance to do something I loved since always.
It is five years now, and I have moved on from a trainee reporter to a senior correspondent. Have been a published short story writer and life is fun on a daily basis for me…
This particular strip has a lot of importance to me because I lived my dream just because I couldn’t be sixty years old and then think I could have been a writer… I wanted to be one now… Good, bad or terrible… I live my dream as you do yours… and I think that is the essence of life…
Thank you for this strip…
Cheers…
and a happy new year….
Rohan Swamy,
India
I studied what I like, it’s a passion for me, but I can’t get a job doing exactly what I really love, and I’ve worked so hard in school (I was one of the best students in my career) and also worked hard in my different jobs to improve and hoping that someday I’ll get the job I want… still not getting there, I’d rather do nothing than what I’m working now but I do need to pay the bills… either way, it’s not only about studying what you like, it’s also about the opportunities that never came (at least not for me, not yet)
Gotta say I don’t really agree with this one. There can only be so many writers and artists and whatnot in the world. Sure doing what you love is important but so is keeping the economy and production going. Somebodies got to do the shitty jobs, nobody dreams of working on a production line, but we don’t all have a choice. I don’t do what I love, my favorite thing in the world is being out on the motorbike, but I don’t have the money and probably not the talent to do it for a living (very few do)…
Love that black-and-white thinking of yours. Yes, we do have a choice. Who says you can’t both do what you love AND have a day job that pays the bills?
I am an artist. I also have a paying job that I enjoy, where I am treated well and, as long as I get my work done, am allowed to do whatever else I want with what’s left of my day. Maybe at some point I’ll start pulling in enough money as an artist to ditch the “real job.” Maybe I won’t.
Either way, I don’t consider my day job “what I do for a living.” It’s not my living. It’s just what I do to pay my bills.
Well, the Alan Watts quote above is what sets the context of that whole black-and-white thing. Watts is the one pushing black-and-white theory here, and glossing over what that entails in practice.
@ Lord Assworth McThor: When you mentioned how much you love being out on your motorbike I immediately remembered this guy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guy_Martin Maybe we can’t all be great artists or motorcycle racers but at least we can be inspired to try.
I couldn’t agree more with Alan Watts — I’ve modeled my entire life on this assumption, since I started working after college with 21 years.
It’s just now, with the never-ending financial crisis on my country, that I will, for the first time, abandon Watts’ philosophy and start doing something I utterly dislike just because the bills need to get paid.
I wonder how I will react to that.
(Disclaimer: aye, I’m a Buddhist practitioner as well…)
Hi, as a sweatshop worker I have to say that this work of art has inspired me to quit my job and to become an artist. Who cares if my family starves, right? This first worlder bourgeois told me that having a job that I don’t like just so I can earn money is a stupid idea, so I am going to tell my boss to get bent.
Do you have any idea how privileged your “comics” look?
You’re a 3rd-world sweatshop worker that frequents ZenPencils? Riiiiiiiiight. Or is this your pathetic attempt at satire or irony?
You just dont get it. Worse yet, you fall into the “all or nothing” method of thinking and so you learn NOTHING from this kind of paradigm.
So try this instead: inject some nuance into your world view. If you want to be an artist, then after you get home from your “sweat shop” job get off your couch, turn off your tv, put your beer down, and grab some paper and pens.
Whining about it online just makes you exactly like everyone else.
I think you’re missing Third Worlder’s point, that the viewpoint in this comic is coming from a place of privilege and, as a result, can’t apply to everyone. You are assuming that everyone has free time after work that would otherwise be spent with couch/tv/beer. Does the fact that your average sweatshop worker doesn’t frequent here make the fact that this can’t apply to them less valid? Or what about someone who works three jobs and spends literally all of their spare time eating or sleeping?
You also criticize all or nothing thinking, but the comic doesn’t say anything about doing what you love after (well-paying but unsatisfying) work. It says to get rid of that corporate job and go do something else, that will probably involve starting your own business. That can be unattainable for quite a lot of people.
The last thing, is that others have pointed out, that having a short life full of what you love vs. a miserable long life, is a different choice for people in the US who have chronic health conditions and need company health insurance to be able to afford treatment. I think that the point the comic was making is a good one, but there are going to be a lot of people it can’t apply to, sadly.
As far as privilege goes; sure, I share your sentiment. But I hope you won’t gloss over the other values that are expressed here.
Mainly, the importance of making a conscious choice. The importance of knowing your desire.
You chose to feed your family. Then I’m going to assume there is a desire of some sort to see your family well fed and living well.
That -is- a choice.
Of course, circumstances also played an effect. Already having a family probably make any career changes difficult despite your actual desire.
But that should not mean you should abandon yourself. That should not mean you should, you know, spend your life doing things you’re not happy with (or at least -content-) for the sake of paying the bills -forever-. And most importantly, people should not stew themselves in bitterness and grim acceptance of their situation; their places in life.
The students described here are lost. They don’t know what they want to do, thus this advice works well. For those who had both their feet set, this advice may not work. For those not living in that specific circumstances, like ThirdWorlder here, or like what Sophia said, this advice may not work, or worse; condescending.
That’s alright.
I positively love Alan Watts. He’s made many of my favorite lectures and I’ve been a fan of him for several years, so I’m glad to see this here. This is my last favorite webcomic, so if you’re interested in Alan Watts, you can find a few more his things, along with many other interesting lectures at this blog I listen to:
https://soundcloud.com/dreaminginthevoid
You should check it out. You might find some things you like.
If money was no object I would make comics based on inspirational quotes.
Better watch your back, Gavin!!!!!!!!!!!! (lol)
Yes, great quote, and so true. I hear everyone that keeps telling me that.
But there is an addition!
You have to keep thinking of what it is that you want to do.
Sometimes the things you want change, don’t be afraid to change with them. Then again I was lucky, I wanted to do Quantum mechanics when I was 15, now I work at the Niels Bohr institute. I can say one thing very clear. This quote is very true! (with the addition)
First off all great website a love these comics and yesterday found this page, i was always wondering who and where are this comics coming from because there always a repost from on several tumblr`s and blogs but never really find the source (and never search enough) second i finish reading all this day :3 ( got hooked!! ) and finally thanks because some of these comics help me realize that i can do better in life on myself also i can do a lot better on my family friends and of course this help me realize that i love my girlfriend (don’t ask me why) but i simply come to me and i know that i have to fight for her… but first i have to become a better man i don’t have any money that i can spend but some day i would like to buy some of your prints.
Thanks to all of you people keep the good work and have a great day.
Its good to know that there are good people out there with his dirty hands because off work and its shinning heart because its good actions and intentions.
Wonderful pipe dream, just not too feasible these days for everyone to be able to do what they love… Populations too high…
This comic is my mother’s exact life story. I’m not kidding! She’s worked several jobs she hated and is now a therapeutic horseback riding instructor!
ha ha nice coincidence
See but the problem is that money is pretty much a real object. So in this situation what if I don’t enjoy anything but making money and blowing it on sweet toys? I mean I have nothing against people pursuing their dreams of becoming artists and what not. But recognize that there is a life beyond your workplace people. I don’t mind my corporate job if it enables me to buy stuff like great wine, gadgets and family vacations. I don’t exactly love my work but I do love my life.
Thanks Gav. I really like drawing since childhood. My parents expected me to be an employee with an income every month. Finally my parents forced me to go to university that can guarantee me to get a job later.
But in my heart says otherwise, I will not lie to myself who love the arts. I learned self-taught graphic design and eventually I obtained both small and large projects. now I set myself to become a designer and serve my clients all over the world.
Artists do not need praised, abused, although he was starving, he would keep working. That’s a true artist. I believe that God will not allow humans to be hungry as long as they want to keep working. and I have proved it.
keep working Gav.
Thank you, good sir. This piece right here only further cements my view on living. Very well done.
it is awesome!
as always!
excellent and amazing coute!
I taught a class last year and started the unit by asking the students to list their dream jobs… we compiled all the ideas and discussed them… then I purposefully didn’t speak of it for a while.
A few weeks later I asked the students what their career plans were and again we compiled a list.
I brought out the dream jobs list from the start of the unit and not a single thing matched up.
It was a real eye-opener.
I’m teaching the same unit later this year, I think I’ll use this wonderful illustration to help get the point across
Thank you
What do you teach?
Why didn’t anything match up, what happened in that time?
Do you mean that our goals and aspirations are ever-changing?
However, nice idea
Hey Charles,
It was an English Communication class (kind of like English for students who don’t want or need to do mainstream) The unit was an introduction to communication in the workplace but I book-ended it with a few lessons on dream jobs and career aspirations.
I live in a very affluent coal-mining area (I’m by far one of the lowest paid men in town) and although most of the guys in my class had dreams of working as marine biologists, actors, athletes, firemen etc the reality was that they were all heading for careers as diesel fitters, engineers, mechanics and hairdressers – which is all perfectly fine but in our two top ten lists – not one item was repeated.
I tried my best to encourage them towards their dreams and I’ll continue to do so when they come back for their final year but their seems to be a real apathy here.
Thanks for your interest mate
Al
^there (oh dear!)
Thanks for replying. Too bad I hope maybe if they travel a little and get out of their town, they might see live’s not all about coal mining and dying wealthy.
Hi Gavin!
There have been SO many of your works that have touched me, but this one is the best. Any chance I can buy this as a poster??
Many thanks!
Sherri
very stupid comic. There are a lot of reasons why sometimes it just doesnt fucking work. It is not just do it, what if you love singing but suck at it? what if you have a family to raise?
In your example, you love riding horses but do you know that you cannot get one for free, right? how are you supposed to start or practice?
bullshit for naive teenagers.
you have to wait for the proper conditions, maybe have a secure job and do what you like in your free time, use your free time to learn and practice. Analyze your current situation and make a decision about your future. Saying just do it and dont worry about the money is fucking stupid.
MACHO –> Finally, someone with a brain here.
Two things:
True, there are hints of privilege; of reckless carelessness ever so familiar with youth. A significant part of people will suffer, have setbacks. Not everyone will receive their dues, and not everyone will arrive at the place they wanted to be.
But the point of this quote is exactly -that-. Which do you prefer, living a long, ‘stable’ life and lacking meaning? Or suffering– dying, for one?
There is no good or bad answer; people derive meaning from different aspects from their lives. You might feel it’s much better if your family gets food first, and that’s alright. Some people will choose not to have any family for the sake of their pursuits. Different values sown, different result harvested.
But there has been a culture propagating the former. Work, breed, live, support the system. Among many result is the sentiment you expressed; stigma of ‘naivety’. The latter, not-so-often.
This statement is not for everyone, but it’s one that bears repeating.
Hey Gav,
Just spent over an hour going through your site. These posters are bloody amazing. I really loved the one on Edgar Mitchell’s quote.
Fantastic stuff, really
What a GREAT idea to make a comic out of it! Much of my experience with young and ambitious people has shown me that it is not so much about what you do, or how you do it, but really that it is about “why” you do it. Thanks for this great post! Best, Chris
Game Programming. So scary, feeling like there’s no entry point into the industry with all the overflow from the mobile explosion, but it’s fun, so I’ma keep to it. Here’s hopin’!
Great artwork and quotation. I don’t want to be the pessimist here, but speaking from experience, it isn’t always possible to just, “do what you love”. You have to have financial & familial support in order to keep doing what you love (if it doesn’t really pay the bills), and for a lot of us, that isn’t the case.
Horses are really expensive.
What comic so stupid! “Do what you want” Really? Most young people want to be actors, models, singers, … what they think is successful. Some teens may want to be doctors, lawyers, engineers, … Nobody wants to be a street sweeper, waiter, farmer, butcher, supermarket cashier, … The fact is that most of them do not work on something they like, work on whatever they can find. “If money was not important.” It’s the only reason I can think of to get up at 7:00 in the morning to work.
And that might be true, and reality might sets in and give a hard bitchslap. Ask any medical students; ask any professional model; ask any independent artist and graphic designers; that world is not easy.
But that doesn’t mean they should not pursue their idealized path. Failure is better than regret.
And for the last part, that is exactly the sad thing about the world. It happens, but that again, just because it happens doesn’t mean it should be left alone.
so…office space
Stumbleupon brought me here in a timely fashion. I’m serving my one month’s notice.
MY LIFE ON THIS PAGE. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!
A friend of mine posted your most recent comic on Facebook, ended up going through them all. Just what I needed, keep it up!
What a completely douchey post. The entire concept is based on the idea of “what would you do if money was no object?” Well guess what you insufferable jackass, money is an object to most people because most people aren’t privileged. Most of these students know they can’t be artists or poets because they’re going to spend the next ten fucking years paying the prof’s salary via student loans. Thank god Watts is dead. I’m sure the sixties were great if you were rich and there were plenty of jobs to choose from. We’re now in 2013 and anyone who gets a liberal arts degree is either wealthy and wasting time, or a an idiot. China and India are are emerging economies where no one gets to do what they want, they do what they must. We used to do that, but we also had pride in society before greasy hippies decided that champaign socialism was the way forward.
Do you know what I want to do if money is no object? Ensure I don’t starve, have a reasonable home, live debt-free, attempt to save some money and (gasp) have the ability to retire before I’m 70 years of age.
There is nothing so parasitic and disgusting than a privileged hippy crying and moaning about how tough they had it. Their parents went through the Great Depression and the largest conflict in human history, but these smeared shit stains have the audacity to complain about “enforcing social paradigms.” I’m almost willing to forgo the social security they’re leeching if they’d just shut their fucking mouths and stop meddling.
The message here is to find something you love doing, and if it’s what you really love then you should pursue it. That’s all it means, and it’s what many of us hope for, so don’t get angry that someone once said others should pursue their dreams.
And it’s spelled “champagne”, you prick.
lul spell check. Maybe if money were no object I could have gone to univeristy and learned to spell all classy-like.
These are simply brilliant! Thank you!
You missed the “all retch and no vomit” part!
i wanna stay home play games console all day
Sounds great. Let me know when everyone can just go and do whatever they want and live for free.
I want to spend my time living on a tropical beach in Bali and spending most of the year playing guitar for a famous musician.Okay,who’s going to fund my training ? The average Joe taxpayer.This is a dream,not reality based at all.I wish it wasnt but unfortunately money rolls the planet.
AJ Hoge brought me here.
It’s obvious that it’ll be cool to live with your dream. However, it’s not easy to have a life that we desire, we must pass all the obstacles such as: relatives, society opinions or the crowd. It’s hash to ignore all the words from these people. That’s why most people stuck in the ” Rat race”
If anyone desires to get out of the boring life, please visit my site, here I have some great methods for you How To Make A Change In Your Life
The sad truth though: It is an object.