[ScoopLV]

Originally Posted by henderson702

Everyone else is suspect to a meltdown, especially singles, because the people in this town are very unstable.

When I say things like this, C-D users have conniptions.


Married couples have meltdowns here, too. People here need to be very, very grounded. This simply is not a normal city. I saw the aftermath of a stabbing on my way to work today. The people involved looked like they just crawled up from a sewer, with plague. There are some seriously scary people who live here -- tweaked-out gutter trolls, for one.

It reminds me of that bumper sticker -- "If you're not outraged, you're not paying attention."

Replace "outraged" with "appalled" and that describes my feelings about this city.

[UTES]

Originally Posted by ScoopLV

When I say things like this, C-D users have conniptions.

You may want to consider it's the way you demean those of us who like Las Vegas. This was one of the few posts about the issue where you did not go out of your way to describe us as weak, degenerate, or lacking in some way. It's just not necessary to do that, Scoop. We deserve better from someone we've known (and liked) for quite some time.

Bill

[Scott456]

I don't even know about the suicide rate comparison among states. Where do you get that numbers and why do you even care unless perhaps you think about doing it yourself.

[ScoopLV]

Originally Posted by UTES

You may want to consider it's the way you demean those of us who like Las Vegas. This was one of the few posts about the issue where you did not go out of your way to describe us as weak, degenerate, or lacking in some way. It's just not necessary to do that, Scoop. We deserve better from someone we've known (and liked) for quite some time.

Frankly, I think it's people don't understand averages. When I say things like "The average Las Vegan..." people should know what that means.

It doesn't matter how I feel about individuals here, Las Vegas is a below-average city. People can either wrap their heads around what that means or they can get indignant about it. And it's easier to be indignant than thoughtful. Furthermore, people either understand the opportunity cost of gambling, smoking and drinking to excess, or they don't. And it's been my experience that most people here on C-D don't get the concept of opportunity cost.

They want validation for their vices. They want reassurance that they're doing all the right things in life. What they deserve is honesty. Not an effete ego-stroking. If they want their ego stroked, they can go to a casino and throw money away -- that's what casinos do, after all.

[Raiderman]

Scoop, the difference is the vast majority of posters here, your intended targets/audience, seem to be of above average intellect and financial means.

We are not the degenerates with which you appear to be so enamored. We are not posting from our laptops on Foremaster Ln.

That being said, your arguments are lost on most of us, that is why you see the backlash. If you want to reach your intended audience, and explain how they are throwing their lives away, how they are making bad decisions, and why living the way you do is the ONLY way to succeed in life, grab a megaphone and head to the number streets.

[ScoopLV]

People don't need to be degenerates to be on the wrong track.

Let's take my uber-wealthy family friend. He's at the end of his life and now realizing that he threw decades away on meaningless BS. (A paraphrase of what he said.) He's a cautionary tale of, "I can afford to do this. It's legal. So what's the problem?"

It's a real shame that my "arguments are lost."

I bring Walden with me everywhere I go. And I'm not talking about the book.

[Raiderman]

Originally Posted by ScoopLV

People don't need to be degenerates to be on the wrong track.

Let's take my uber-wealthy family friend. He's at the end of his life and now realizing that he threw decades away on meaningless BS. (A paraphrase of what he said.) He's a cautionary tale of, "I can afford to do this. It's legal. So what's the problem?"

It's a real shame that my "arguments are lost."

I bring Walden with me everywhere I go. And I'm not talking about the book.

That's HIS story. Ours are different. One anecdote does not mean anything. He has regrets. Many of us don't.

[qingguy]

Originally Posted by ScoopLV

It doesn't matter how I feel about individuals here, Las Vegas is a below-average city. People can either wrap their heads around what that means or they can get indignant about it. And it's easier to be indignant than thoughtful. Furthermore, people either understand the opportunity cost of gambling, smoking and drinking to excess, or they don't. And it's been my experience that most people here on C-D don't get the concept of opportunity cost.

A below average city that seems to have trapped you and from what you tell us you're an above average guy, how did you allow this to happen to yourself? And speaking of opportunity cost (which I understand very well thank you) what's the opportunity cost for you serving an open ended prison sentence here as you put it? Let me guess, there's none right? . . . its different for you.

Originally Posted by ScoopLV

Let's take my uber-wealthy family friend. He's at the end of his life and now realizing that he threw decades away on meaningless BS.

Are you not in a similar position throwing away years of your life living in a community that you despise when you could be living a far more stimulating life in a much more enriching environment elsewhere? These are precious years that you're throwing away are they not? Serious not sarcastic statement by the way, you only get one spin on this merry-go-round we call earth.

[ScoopLV]

Absolutely. The opportunity cost of me leaving is worse than the opportunity cost of me staying. Eventually, leaving this hellhole will be the responsible, mature choice. But right now, it would be the irresponsible, immature choice. Any Peter Pan can abandon his responsibilities. That's the easy way out.

It wasn't my choice to move here. And it wasn't my wife's choice, either. We did our scouting trip and research and learned everything we could about this city. And then we moved here anyway.

[Raiderman]

Originally Posted by ScoopLV

Here's a story of someone you've likely heard of "who didn't have any regrets." Right up until the time he did.

CNN.com - Joe Eszterhas talks Hollywood smoke screen - August 12, 2002



There is always an opportunity cost, even if you don't want to admit that to yourself.

Sure. That is why you weigh the options and make sure the decision you make takes into consideration opportunity cost. It's not a difficult concept.