Author Topic: Really strange conversation with a Mustachian friend who strongly dislikes MMM  (Read 26125 times)

Mrs MM

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Re: Really strange conversation with a Mustachian friend who hates MMM
« Reply #50 on: October 20, 2013, 01:38:50 PM »
I think MMM's bravado is ridiculously funny most of the time and that the humor keeps me from getting bored with the message. I try not to take things to seriously in general though (not that I always or even often succeed), and I can certainly understand why people would disagree.

Same here.  I don't even notice the harsh tone half of the time.  I think it's because we have the same sense of humor.  I personally think he's hilarious.

Exactly. It's meant to be funny. I guess if you don't get it, you don't get it.

MMM is a pretty unique personality, but in real life everyone really likes him. He's funny and interesting - that's why. He's very open and warm in person too. When I first met him, I remember what it was like. He seems "normal" to me now, but at the time, what I noticed was someone who was very friendly and honest, but also crazy and funny. He said stuff nobody else did, used interested word combinations, made up new acronyms and words all the time, ate pancakes like he was eating pizza. He made me laugh a lot, and it was almost like being a kid again. He does things his way, he is super optimistic, and he sweeps you right along in his excitement. I've never met anyone else like that.

It's been interesting to see people be so hateful, especially when he started the blog to help people and to help the environment. There was no hidden agenda or tactic. It's just him writing stuff. I don't think he really plays up his personality that much on the blog - he is being himself 100%. He's not always serious and he enjoys writing in a humorous way. He is the same way in real life.

I guess his blog is polarizing - people either love it or hate it. Some people say that's the sign of success. :)

dragoncar

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Re: Really strange conversation with a Mustachian friend who hates MMM
« Reply #51 on: October 20, 2013, 01:44:12 PM »
I think MMM's bravado is ridiculously funny most of the time and that the humor keeps me from getting bored with the message. I try not to take things to seriously in general though (not that I always or even often succeed), and I can certainly understand why people would disagree.

Same here.  I don't even notice the harsh tone half of the time.  I think it's because we have the same sense of humor.  I personally think he's hilarious.

Exactly. It's meant to be funny. I guess if you don't get it, you don't get it.

MMM is a pretty unique personality, but in real life everyone really likes him. He's funny and interesting - that's why. He's very open and warm in person too. When I first met him, I remember what it was like. He seems "normal" to me now, but at the time, what I noticed was someone who was very friendly and honest, but also crazy and funny. He said stuff nobody else did, used interested word combinations, made up new acronyms and words all the time, ate pancakes like he was eating pizza. He made me laugh a lot, and it was almost like being a kid again. He does things his way, he is super optimistic, and he sweeps you right along in his excitement. I've never met anyone else like that.

It's been interesting to see people be so hateful, especially when he started the blog to help people and to help the environment. There was no hidden agenda or tactic. It's just him writing stuff. I don't think he really plays up his personality that much on the blog - he is being himself 100%. He's not always serious and he enjoys writing in a humorous way. He is the same way in real life.

I guess his blog is polarizing - people either love it or hate it. Some people say that's the sign of success. :)

Does he make a lot of cheesy puns?

non geordie beth

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Re: Really strange conversation with a Mustachian friend who hates MMM
« Reply #52 on: October 20, 2013, 03:15:12 PM »
The way I look at it, MMM is some dude that writes a blog, has some very good ideas that he's applied in his life, and synthesizes them in his posts. And by the number of people that read his blog, with no advertising (as far as I know), he's providing one hell of a service. And as far as I know, he hasn't ever charged me a penny.

There are ads.  You may wish to whitelist MMM in adblock or similar just for support.

Not to put words in anyone's mouth, but I think mikefixac was saying that MMM hasn't advertised his own blog. True? I see ads on the blog, but I've not seen ads FOR MMM anywhere....

dragoncar

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Re: Really strange conversation with a Mustachian friend who hates MMM
« Reply #53 on: October 20, 2013, 11:12:53 PM »
The way I look at it, MMM is some dude that writes a blog, has some very good ideas that he's applied in his life, and synthesizes them in his posts. And by the number of people that read his blog, with no advertising (as far as I know), he's providing one hell of a service. And as far as I know, he hasn't ever charged me a penny.

There are ads.  You may wish to whitelist MMM in adblock or similar just for support.

Not to put words in anyone's mouth, but I think mikefixac was saying that MMM hasn't advertised his own blog. True? I see ads on the blog, but I've not seen ads FOR MMM anywhere....

I see.  Well MMM has certainly done promotion, but maybe not paid ads.

Bruised_Pepper

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Re: Really strange conversation with a Mustachian friend who hates MMM
« Reply #54 on: October 20, 2013, 11:29:07 PM »
"It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it."  -Aristotle

Not my own insight, but figured I'd share.

Khan

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Re: Really strange conversation with a Mustachian friend who hates MMM
« Reply #55 on: October 21, 2013, 06:34:42 AM »
Heh, I actually have kind've the opposite problem with MMM, I feel like "facepunches" and "complainypants" and the other wording on his blog is really weak. I'd much rather that language was more explicit, but hey, that's me, and I totally understand him choosing the words he does to cultivate the audience he wants or reach out to the people he does.

I also think he's kind've ridiculous, but I can at least make some mental connections with what he's all about compared to, say, ERE. MMM's blog is also lacking in the... philosophical muttering of ERE's book too(a plus in my opinion).

But anyways, I can understand someone who's frugal not connecting with MMM. Just think, I mean, look at the last couple topics that have popped up on politics. MMM has a stated 0 interest in it. We've got free marketers, libertarians, individualists, liberals, socialists, etc. We all identify with frugality, and financial intelligence, but beyond that we could be on completely different sides of the any other spectrum. Dave Ramsey -preaches-, and he preaches some financial knowledge. One part of that we all can identify with, the other some of us(like me) would rather not have anything to do with.

KLina

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Re: Really strange conversation with a Mustachian friend who hates MMM
« Reply #56 on: October 21, 2013, 11:59:26 AM »
My husband is the same way as the OP's friend. He is VERY mustachian, but he cannot stand MMM. The tone of the blog just doesn't work for him. It is exactly the opposite for me! The hilarious tone, no-nonsense philosophy and frequent braggadocio keep me reading. For me, FI and dealing with money do not come naturally, and the blog really helps me to stop and think about things I would rather gloss over.

I think some people do take it a little too personally. No, all of your life decisions will not be the same as MMM, but that doesn't mean you are wrong/bad. We started a family early, and my first 2 kids had to be in daycare full time so we could both work to earn enough. We had kids before my husband even went to medical school, so that made FI a pipe dream for a long time. Now, we can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. We are thinking of making some very mustachian decisions to pay off debt and reach FI in less than 10 (more) years.

It is the philosophy of freedom that made my husband finally admit, grudgingly, that MMM makes some good points. Anyway, this got a little long, but MMM is a personality, a guru, who is probably very different on the blog than he would be in person.

KLina

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Re: Really strange conversation with a Mustachian friend who hates MMM
« Reply #57 on: October 21, 2013, 12:13:35 PM »

MMM is a pretty unique personality, but in real life everyone really likes him. He's funny and interesting - that's why. He's very open and warm in person too. When I first met him, I remember what it was like. He seems "normal" to me now, but at the time, what I noticed was someone who was very friendly and honest, but also crazy and funny. He said stuff nobody else did, used interested word combinations, made up new acronyms and words all the time, ate pancakes like he was eating pizza. He made me laugh a lot, and it was almost like being a kid again. He does things his way, he is super optimistic, and he sweeps you right along in his excitement. I've never met anyone else like that.



So much love! This post made me happy.

dude

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Re: Really strange conversation with a Mustachian friend who hates MMM
« Reply #58 on: October 21, 2013, 12:26:37 PM »
geez, I gotta say, the MMM hating going on in this thread really makes me wonder about peoples' reading comprehension skills (not to mention their sense of humor).

He holds his life up -- to public scrutiny, I might add -- as an example, not an ideal, of how to reach financial independence and early retirement (and he consistently states that the early retirement part is optional!).  Your mileage may vary, as they say.  And sure, his experience (he's admitted this on many occasions) tends to be most replicable for others similarly situated, i.e., earning above average salaries.  But there is plenty of sound advice for everyone.  And sure, there's the consistent undercurrent of anti-consumerism/sustainable living, but so what?

I just cannot understand all the hating.  Sheesh.

Kira

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Re: Really strange conversation with a Mustachian friend who hates MMM
« Reply #59 on: October 21, 2013, 07:46:03 PM »
geez, I gotta say, the MMM hating going on in this thread really makes me wonder about peoples' reading comprehension skills (not to mention their sense of humor).

He holds his life up -- to public scrutiny, I might add -- as an example, not an ideal, of how to reach financial independence and early retirement (and he consistently states that the early retirement part is optional!).  Your mileage may vary, as they say.  And sure, his experience (he's admitted this on many occasions) tends to be most replicable for others similarly situated, i.e., earning above average salaries.  But there is plenty of sound advice for everyone.  And sure, there's the consistent undercurrent of anti-consumerism/sustainable living, but so what?

I just cannot understand all the hating.  Sheesh.

Who said they hate him?

Also, I think if you are so annoyed about other people's opinions, you need to back up and perhaps read some MORE of MMM, since pretty much his whole deal is not giving a shit what other people think.

dude

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Re: Really strange conversation with a Mustachian friend who hates MMM
« Reply #60 on: October 22, 2013, 06:35:01 AM »
geez, I gotta say, the MMM hating going on in this thread really makes me wonder about peoples' reading comprehension skills (not to mention their sense of humor).

He holds his life up -- to public scrutiny, I might add -- as an example, not an ideal, of how to reach financial independence and early retirement (and he consistently states that the early retirement part is optional!).  Your mileage may vary, as they say.  And sure, his experience (he's admitted this on many occasions) tends to be most replicable for others similarly situated, i.e., earning above average salaries.  But there is plenty of sound advice for everyone.  And sure, there's the consistent undercurrent of anti-consumerism/sustainable living, but so what?

I just cannot understand all the hating.  Sheesh.

Who said they hate him?

Also, I think if you are so annoyed about other people's opinions, you need to back up and perhaps read some MORE of MMM, since pretty much his whole deal is not giving a shit what other people think.

um, you do understand the modern concept/usage of "hatin' on someone," right?  And funny enough, I don't see anywhere in my post where I said I was "annoyed"  -- so thanks for confirming my point about reading comprehension skills.

Mae80s

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Re: Really strange conversation with a Mustachian friend who hates MMM
« Reply #61 on: October 22, 2013, 10:32:27 AM »
Have to weigh in on this.

I don't know the guy, so I really can't form a real opinion about him as a person. The journalist who wrote the Forbes article is a friend of mine, so I had to ask what it was like talking to Pete. She echoed the same thing as those who know him personally - very down-to-earth, humble and approachable.

As for his blog and internet personality - take what you like and leave the rest. Like someone said, he doesn't have to write this blog and I certainly have benefited from his knowledge and perspective. I appreciate him for spending the time to write all of it down. With that said, I also have very different interests than him, so I wouldn't necessarily design my FE like he has.

His post about not watching the news really, really irked me though. I'm a journalist by training and a lover of history and current events, so I love following the news. I realize not everyone enjoys this, just like I don't care about his interest in house renovations. In any case, he really put it in black-and-white terms. I would respect his position much more if he wrote about being a smart consumer of news. There is a valid point to not watching cable news - it's shit, and ignoring the stories about unsafe things. It can skew your perspective about perceived danger. However, staying informed as a citizen or even just having an interest in current events does not make one a sheep, which was what he implied with that post. Even after people suggested there was shades of grey in his outlook, he still didn't change his tune. It's extreme to say that if doesn't affect you and your "sphere of control" to just not pay attention. Really? Really? I find this incredibly myopic and irresponsible to take that perspective. That's just my opinion though. He could have framed that post about the news as an opinion too, instead he stated his perspective as fact and came across as really arrogant.

Anyway, rant over. I still will continue to read him though.
« Last Edit: October 22, 2013, 10:39:02 AM by Mae80s »

Mrs MM

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Re: Really strange conversation with a Mustachian friend who hates MMM
« Reply #62 on: October 22, 2013, 11:12:16 AM »
He did say: "Because I’m going to suggest that unless you work directly in the news media industry yourself, you too should be paying absolutely no attention to the news."

It's interesting to hear what people like and don't like. Obviously, you can't appeal to everyone as a writer. Ultimately, you have to be yourself. I know that for me, not watching news, TV, browsing the web, etc. has made me a much more productive person.

Anyway, not everyone is going to like every little thing that is said or suggested. That's pretty normal. It's the whole "hatred" thing that I find shocking (not necessarily here, but on the internet in general)... which is another reason why I should stop "reading the news" and focus on things that matter.

DoubleDown

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Re: Really strange conversation with a Mustachian friend who hates MMM
« Reply #63 on: October 22, 2013, 12:17:31 PM »
+1 for MMM. I like his blog, he's done a great service. I suspect I'd like him in person too.

Mae80s

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Re: Really strange conversation with a Mustachian friend who hates MMM
« Reply #64 on: October 22, 2013, 12:24:11 PM »
Quote
He did say: "Because I’m going to suggest that unless you work directly in the news media industry yourself, you too should be paying absolutely no attention to the news."

With all due respect, I still have a big problem with this perspective. No one outside of media people should pay attention to the news? What's the point of journalism then? Furthermore, it is just his opinion and the whole post came across as arrogant and condescending IMO.  Perhaps it's because I believe strongly in an informed citizenry and have chosen to work professionally to pursue this goal, that I am unable to not take issue with that statement above.

Obviously, it's your lives and you guys have to do what's best for your mental health and happiness. I get that point.  However I don't believe remaining 100% oblivious to what's happening in the world is a good thing. Yes, go outside, talk to people, turn off cable news, read a book, be proactive at educating yourself ... I totally agree. However, is including NPR once a week or streaming the BBC or Al Jazeera English news caps a couple of times a month to add to that curiosity/education really that awful?

Otherwise, I'm glad to hear you guys can take the hate with a grain of salt. I don't understand it either. I have been public myself and have had to deal with anonymous internet hate. Yes, best to walk away and ignore.

And despite my passionate disagreement above, I still give total props to him for maintaining this website. I can tell he cares a lot about passing along his knowledge. Perhaps one day I'll meet you two in person and can debate it further over some beers. 
« Last Edit: October 22, 2013, 12:43:35 PM by Mae80s »

Mrs MM

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Re: Really strange conversation with a Mustachian friend who hates MMM
« Reply #65 on: October 22, 2013, 01:32:42 PM »
With all due respect, I still have a big problem with this perspective. No one outside of media people should pay attention to the news? What's the point of journalism then? Furthermore, it is just his opinion and the whole post came across as arrogant and condescending IMO.  Perhaps it's because I believe strongly in an informed citizenry and have chosen to work professionally to pursue this goal, that I am unable to not take issue with that statement above.

Obviously, it's your lives and you guys have to do what's best for your mental health and happiness. I get that point.  However I don't believe remaining 100% oblivious to what's happening in the world is a good thing. Yes, go outside, talk to people, turn off cable news, read a book, be proactive at educating yourself ... I totally agree. However, is including NPR once a week or streaming the BBC or Al Jazeera English news caps a couple of times a month to add to that curiosity/education really that awful?

Otherwise, I'm glad to hear you guys can take the hate with a grain of salt. I don't understand it either. I have been public myself and have had to deal with anonymous internet hate. Yes, best to walk away and ignore.

And despite my passionate disagreement above, I still give total props to him for maintaining this website. I can tell he cares a lot about passing along his knowledge. Perhaps one day I'll meet you two in person and can debate it further over some beers. 

It's not all or nothing. It's not about being oblivious to what's happening in the world. Of course it's important to be an informed citizen. There's a difference between listening to NPR once a week and tuning into all the gossipy and non-productive type of news that fills our world on a daily basis.

It's interesting that the article rubbed you the wrong way. I'm sure it has to do with writing style, as in reality, I bet you and MMM would agree.

Miamoo

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Re: Really strange conversation with a Mustachian friend who hates MMM
« Reply #66 on: October 22, 2013, 01:52:24 PM »
I can see why MMMs tone puts some people off.  The world has people who need lots of validation from others and those who shrug off any criticism.  I'm more in the latter camp, so I choose to interpret his writings as a humorously over the top caricature of an insanely badass financial dude.  But I don't take it personally if he calls something I do clown-like because I'm comfortable with my reasons for living life as I choose.

And that is as it should be.  Be secure in yourself.  Learn from others.  If you don't like it or don't agree for whatever reason . . . don't bother reading.

beltim

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Re: Really strange conversation with a Mustachian friend who hates MMM
« Reply #67 on: October 22, 2013, 02:02:42 PM »

It's not all or nothing. It's not about being oblivious to what's happening in the world. Of course it's important to be an informed citizen. There's a difference between listening to NPR once a week and tuning into all the gossipy and non-productive type of news that fills our world on a daily basis.

It's interesting that the article rubbed you the wrong way. I'm sure it has to do with writing style, as in reality, I bet you and MMM would agree.

That article rubbed a lot of people the wrong way, including me.  It's interesting that you say it's important to be an informed citizen, because the article specifically says otherwise:
Quote
"“As a citizen, it’s my duty to stay informed”,
one news watcher might say,
“It is all Bullshit”, is what Mr. Money Mustache says, “You need to get the News out of your life, right away, and for life.”

Also, when questioned about how MMM gets his news for elections, his response was books.  I agree that books are a great resource, but I left a comment asking how this advice applies to local elections, or any candidate who doesn't write a book.  That comment disappeared into the aether, so MMM never responded, and I had forgotten about it until now.

dragoncar

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Re: Really strange conversation with a Mustachian friend who hates MMM
« Reply #68 on: October 22, 2013, 03:00:03 PM »
geez, I gotta say, the MMM hating going on in this thread really makes me wonder about peoples' reading comprehension skills (not to mention their sense of humor).

He holds his life up -- to public scrutiny, I might add -- as an example, not an ideal, of how to reach financial independence and early retirement (and he consistently states that the early retirement part is optional!).  Your mileage may vary, as they say.  And sure, his experience (he's admitted this on many occasions) tends to be most replicable for others similarly situated, i.e., earning above average salaries.  But there is plenty of sound advice for everyone.  And sure, there's the consistent undercurrent of anti-consumerism/sustainable living, but so what?

I just cannot understand all the hating.  Sheesh.

Who said they hate him?

Also, I think if you are so annoyed about other people's opinions, you need to back up and perhaps read some MORE of MMM, since pretty much his whole deal is not giving a shit what other people think.

um, you do understand the modern concept/usage of "hatin' on someone," right?  And funny enough, I don't see anywhere in my post where I said I was "annoyed"  -- so thanks for confirming my point about reading comprehension skills.

Also see the title of this thread

NinetyFour

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Re: Really strange conversation with a Mustachian friend who hates MMM
« Reply #69 on: October 22, 2013, 05:51:01 PM »
From Mrs. MM, upthread: There's a difference between listening to NPR once a week and tuning into all the gossipy and non-productive type of news that fills our world on a daily basis.

My understanding of MMM's (and Mrs. MM's) point is that the gossipy and non-productive types of news can fill our world only if we let it.  I think there are lots of half-asleep folks out there who have the TV on all day and let the trashy news that is on fill their lives, and then perhaps feel victimized by it, when in fact, they should wake up and throw the f**king TV out the window! (Was channeling MMM there for a minute.)

ch12

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Re: Really strange conversation with a Mustachian friend who hates MMM
« Reply #70 on: October 22, 2013, 08:14:40 PM »
geez, I gotta say, the MMM hating going on in this thread really makes me wonder about peoples' reading comprehension skills (not to mention their sense of humor).

He holds his life up -- to public scrutiny, I might add -- as an example, not an ideal, of how to reach financial independence and early retirement (and he consistently states that the early retirement part is optional!).  Your mileage may vary, as they say.  And sure, his experience (he's admitted this on many occasions) tends to be most replicable for others similarly situated, i.e., earning above average salaries.  But there is plenty of sound advice for everyone.  And sure, there's the consistent undercurrent of anti-consumerism/sustainable living, but so what?

I just cannot understand all the hating.  Sheesh.

Who said they hate him?

Also, I think if you are so annoyed about other people's opinions, you need to back up and perhaps read some MORE of MMM, since pretty much his whole deal is not giving a shit what other people think.

um, you do understand the modern concept/usage of "hatin' on someone," right?  And funny enough, I don't see anywhere in my post where I said I was "annoyed"  -- so thanks for confirming my point about reading comprehension skills.

Also see the title of this thread

I edited the title of the thread, as I should have after I had the exchange with DocCyane about not hating people you've never met. GL doesn't hate Mr. Money Mustache - the message rubbed him the wrong way, that's all. This thread has veered a long way from me talking GL into being open to the idea of financial independence, which he misread as the commitment to living in Omaha and never spending money.

I also wonder if people read the blog post where Mr. Money Mustache said that the post's title should've been the low irrelevant information diet? No?