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Reasons not to become famous

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Re: Reasons not to become famous

#81

I’ve always thought being famous with a pseudonymous name but an anonymous appearance and legal name is the best of both scenarios. Someone like Bansky or Daft Punk, for example. Everyone knows your artist name and your work, but virtually no one recognizes you on the street and you can check into hotels or use your real name without most people noticing.

I read Kevin Hart’s autobiography and one takeaway from the book was that famous comedians or famous people don’t use pseudo/nicknames but just use his/her own name.

Kevin Hart was known as Lil’ Kev the Bastard until one of his early mentor told him to drop that nickname.

Re: Reasons not to become famous

#82
post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Something I've come to realise is that being introverted isn't necessarily the same as being shy. I consider myself more introverted than extroverted (I'm happy with my own company) but over the years, I've learned to communicate confidently to individuals and groups. A lot of the learning was due to the need to communicate at work (e.g. giving complex presentations / demonstrations to challenging audiences) and also…

Amen. My experience exactly. I’ve tried to express this a few times online and fallen foul of offended introverts - my observation is that some people like to use the label of being an introvert as a shield or justification of (their dissatisfaction with?) their shy or antisocial behavioural traits.

Introversion is often confused with or confounded with other attributes. Sometimes when folks talk about introversion they are describing other things like social anxiety etc.

Re: Reasons not to become famous

#83

I’ve always thought being famous with a pseudonymous name but an anonymous appearance and legal name is the best of both scenarios. Someone like Bansky or Daft Punk, for example. Everyone knows your artist name and your work, but virtually no one recognizes you on the street and you can check into hotels or use your real name without most people noticing.

I read Kevin Hart’s autobiography and one takeaway from the book was that famous comedians or famous people don’t use pseudo/nicknames but just use his/her own name. Kevin Hart was known as Lil’ Kev the Bastard until one of his early mentor told him to drop that nickname.

> Kevin Hart was known as Lil’ Kev the Bastard until one of his early mentor told him to drop that nickname.

This is also just a monumentally bad name. In comedy alone, there are plenty of people with nicknames or not-their-actual name:

- Louis C.K. (Louis Székely)

- Jon Stewart (Jon Leibowitz)

- Larry the Cable Guy (Daniel Lawrence Whitney)

- Mel Brooks (Melvyn Kaminsky)

- Gene Wilder (Jerome Silberman)

- Tim Allen (Timothy Alan Dick)

- Rodney Dangerfield (Jacob Cohen)

- Jamie Foxx (Eric Bishop)

Re: Reasons not to become famous

#84
post #78

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This does not exist. The moment you have money there is people out there that want to take it. It has always been, there is this part on the Bible that says that when you have money, there will be robbers making holes in your walls to take it. That was thousands of years ago. It is human nature. For me, being really rich is that you know the way to make wealth(not money) when you need it. This knowledge is more usefu…

If you have a few millions in an index fund and are discrete about it, no one is going to take it. There are many rich people who live ordinary lives.

Because stock market crashes never happen?

Re: Reasons not to become famous

#86
post #61

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Sorry, I wasn't expressing myself very clearly. I was saying that most physiques are easier to reach with steroids; and some are only achievable with steroids, ie achievable at all. (The 'at all' wasn't about effort, but achievability.) For an untrained person, getting to the Fight Club look takes quite a bit of training, and then cutting. Just cutting without any muscles won't give you that look.

> I was saying that most physiques are easier to reach with steroids; Sure, this is somewhat true, but the difference isn't enough to be worth the side effects, unless you're going for the huge bodybuilder physique. Diet, exercise and time will get you results that 99% of people find impressive. > and some are only achievable with steroids, ie achievable at all. True, but these sort of physiques are definitely not th…

>especially if you're a millionaire and can afford a personal trainer and meal-planner.

Born to immigrant parents I was always taught to work hard so I ended up with good work ethics and strong willpower - I never skipped training and I was mostly self driven, do not need external encouragement to walk towards my goal.

Yes, now people ask how did you achieve this physique? I never tell them it's steroid because who would give any respect to a guy who just injects some drug? Who will desire him?

I just tell them it's genetics and I spend 2 hours in gym. They look at my well built parents and they believe it. Actually I only spend less than 40 minutes 3 days a week.

>Diet, exercise and time will get you results that 99% of people find impressive.

42 tonnes of illicit anabolic steroids into the uk https://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/news/man-found-guilty...

If many men aren't using steroid to look good, where is all that steroid in the world going? Why is so much steroid caught by Scandinavia customs every year? Specially when Scandinavia is seen as "good genetic stock" and "healthy population" in all metrics.

If other guys around you set expectations of physique not naturally achievable there is not much you can do.

Re: Reasons not to become famous

#87
post #74

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The majority of the most "desirable" men in the world have lean, muscular physiques, not bodybuilder physiques. Think Brad Pitt in Fight Club. So, if your main reason for using steroids is to attract women - seriously reconsider, as your premises are wrong.

I never said I am after bodybuilder physique, I mentioned I am after "fight club" look only but little more defined I'd say. (think Henry Cavil in superman) I've done enough research to know women find huge body a turn off. I trained 6 years in a local gym without ever achieving that fight club look and within 3 months after steroid use, I reached there and surpassed my expectations. When I started - I had patchy bea…

So I started doing Karate since 5 years ago. Before that I was not chubby but not fit either. I have cheek fat and my arms, chest and belly have some fat as well.

I started doing Karate and my weight went down quick and I notice my face gets leaner and now I have a defined jaw line. I’m not sure maybe just my genetics but maybe you got your jawline from losing weight.

3 years ago met a girl online, dated her and she is my wife now. When saw my previous photos she was quite shocked at the difference.

Fast forward now, I don’t have a body builder physique or male mode physique but I do have physique that most contact martial artist have, still have some belly fat but my chest, arm, thigh and belly muscles are thicker without using steroids.

I’m 33 now so I already past my growth rate as a man even 5 years ago, but still managed to change drastically.

Re: Reasons not to become famous

#88
post #78

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you have a few millions in an index fund and are discrete about it, no one is going to take it. There are many rich people who live ordinary lives.

Because stock market crashes never happen?

If you’re smart you diversify so you’re earning a few percent a year on some portion at very low risk.

Re: Reasons not to become famous

#90

I never wanted to be famous. Now I feel confirmed. Jesus. There’s liberty in being a nobody. > Suffice to say, I didn’t realize that this type of thing was part of the Faustian fame-seeking bargain. Again, reading classics holds more weight than 90% of current self help and motivational books. Goethe was on point. After having mastered all the sciences and still unfulfilled, Faust seeks Mephisto to know “was die Welt…

It's fun to summarize Faust II for those who haven't read it. Faust I is so commonly read in school here, and so earnest and serious that the time-traveling madness of the second part comes at a surprise.
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