Short YouTube/Optimize 'Plus One' by Brian Johnson reflecting on financial freedom as essential to realizing eudaimonia. The speaker compares dictionary definitions and etymology of 'freedom', frames financial freedom (and FI/RE) as a form of liberation, and closes with a reflective prompt asking viewers to assess habits that 'shackle' them and one small optimization they can make today.
Chapters
Hi, this is Brian. Welcome back to another Optimize plus one. In our last couple ones we've had some fun. At least I have starting to rub some sticks together for our bonfire. Recall that the movement itself breaks down fire as financial independents retire early. The beard growing philosopher in me prefers financially independent realizing eudaimonia. In any case, the primary reason why I think the subject is important is because of one freedom. You know what that definition is of freedom? Well, the first definition, my American Heritage dictionary puts it pretty wonderfully bluntly. Freedom is the condition of not being imprisoned or in captivity. Apple's first definition is the power or right to act, speak or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint. Followed by their parallel to the American Heritage first definition, the state of not being imprisoned or enslaved. Freedom. Much better than being imprisoned, eh? Of course, I was also curious about the etymology of the word, its archaic use. Boldness of behavior. Freedom. If we want to realize eudaimonia, it's important. So today's plus one, how's your path to financial freedom? Most importantly for our purposes today, are you doing anything to shackle yourself to captivity? A little more than your daimon would like? If so, all good. Been there, done that. But what's one little thing you can do to optimize today? As we continue to gather some dry sticks for our bonfire.
