Well, it was a unique post, I must say… and Ur did give some useful advice. Saving 20%, or one fingers in five, of your income for when you can’t earn income sounds like a good idea!

But, is Ur’s advice on diversifying really a good one? What if Ur found out the secret of how to make lighters, and he invested the majority of his energy into making great lighters and trading them for wolverine pelts, grain, etc.? Would that not be prudent? I once read that the super-rich actually have all their eggs in one basket – one extra-strength, insured and well cared-for basket. “Diversification” is thrown around so much these days (and apparently, since the caveman days), that it’s become such a cliche and people follow it blindly. Isn’t specialization what brought the human race greatness? Adam Smith has a lot to say about the division of labor (and thus, specialization)…

In regards to Iraq and war of all sorts… every time I see images of massive displays of military might, it just amazes me. It amazes me not how much power is on display, but it amazes me that humans as a race spend so much effort in the quest to kill each other. Amazing.