On this list it isn't discussed but on other lists that's a great deal of what's discussed. It isn't a topic I wish to discuss. I merely asked if Tully's question about investing is the same as a question about consumption. It seems a little different to me. Not hugely different but a little.
> > but it seems Tully is asking about
> > something a little different.
>
> I don't understand his/her use of the term "surplus." How in the world
> can one determine what is surplus and what is not in one's personal
> life. "Surplus" is intelligible only as referring to capital, not to
> wages (be they high or low). We can argue about the proportion of a
> leftist's income which should go to left organizations, etc. but I at
> least have no interest in any discussion of what I should or shouldn't
> buy with my disposable income (and I suspect that is what Tully means by
> "surplus").
Surplus income exists but I don't know how to define or measure it. Much like pornography being different from erotica. There is a difference but I have yet to see a definition articulated that can really be called a definition. It isn't that difficult to find a single persons surplus income, if they have any, but to then generalize from there to form a theory and measure and define it can't be done. That doesn't mean it does not exist however. If you want to argue it is a pointless debate and a waste of time I'm mostly with you. If you want to argue it doesn't exist, I disagree.
> Tully also speaks of "liberals and conservatives" as though that were a
> significant division.
>
> Carrol
Lots of people other than Tully do this. I don't pay much attention to it unless that is the topic of conversation. Then I can ignore it properly. It's part of the ether in which we live right now.
Just as it's generally counterproductive to discuss consumption choices it's just as counterproductive to dismiss peoples desire to do so. Getting mad or exasperated with Tully will in all probability just send him somewhere else where someone will give him what he thinks are good explanations and definitions. Where is the progress in that?
John Thornton