In a previous article I said how much culture helps us to understand the world through pre-built ideas. But I said also all the problems that means, as hold our opinion on prejudices. Yes, sometimes the culture gets in the way. Then we have to question it, which is good, because that makes culture more dynamic.
Personally, my interest for cultural diversity had taken me to many places. It is which makes me understand how cultural models give us sense, but also limit us. Starting with me, I had to broken many "rules" and assumptions of my own culture just to travel (as is expensive, dangerous, unsafe, you need to speak many languages, you will be alone, what about your career, etc). But once I did it, I realize that is a constant exercise to question and test what you know about life. I also realize I wasn't the only one walking that route. There was a whole culture of people out there doing the same. They are the hackers, and no, you haven't to be a computer scientist to be one.
Personally, my interest for cultural diversity had taken me to many places. It is which makes me understand how cultural models give us sense, but also limit us. Starting with me, I had to broken many "rules" and assumptions of my own culture just to travel (as is expensive, dangerous, unsafe, you need to speak many languages, you will be alone, what about your career, etc). But once I did it, I realize that is a constant exercise to question and test what you know about life. I also realize I wasn't the only one walking that route. There was a whole culture of people out there doing the same. They are the hackers, and no, you haven't to be a computer scientist to be one.
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| I had to use every trick to save some money!. Finantial distric Singapore. |
How to go around the world and forget about money.
The first thing I though, -as middle-class latin-american I am (things have to be said, to travel around the world being from a developing country is much harder than do it from a developed one, but not impossible if you really want it)- was that is a dream, if not impossible, at least very expensive and then I stopped dreaming. And that is what the most of people does. Assume that it will be expensive and postpone it until they get enough money - if they get it - or just shut off their heads and stop to think about it. We are probably used to assume that awesome things are expensive, but...Have you ever done the homework and gotten an idea of how much could cost? It is time to start to use our heads and let the money takes a step outside. Don't use it as excuse to NOT to do the things you want.
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| Starbucks around the world: I used them for power, wifi, toilet and air conditioning for free. I actually never bought a coffee. |
If we think about it, we use money to avoid to get involved with people. As my fellow said here, the economic issue is an human issue. So, money works as a relation exchanger, but we are able to have those relationships directly, if you know where to look.
Internet is very useful for such a things. Social networks aren't just places where you upload pics of you getting drunk on parties or actually traveling. Also, it is plenty of travelers communities, where you can get a lot of info about how to travel nice and cheap (safe and sound if you are concern). It is also a fare trade system for rides and local accommodation. Sites as couchsurfing and share-your-ride, can get you a place to sleep, a ride, a local guide and probably a new friend.
Internet is very useful for such a things. Social networks aren't just places where you upload pics of you getting drunk on parties or actually traveling. Also, it is plenty of travelers communities, where you can get a lot of info about how to travel nice and cheap (safe and sound if you are concern). It is also a fare trade system for rides and local accommodation. Sites as couchsurfing and share-your-ride, can get you a place to sleep, a ride, a local guide and probably a new friend.
Traveler's communities are very important. I've known mates traveling months thought many countries with a ridiculous budget. There's even some who are trying to beat their own record (as 3 months in Asia with just 100 USD). The trick is use your head and daring. You won't loose nothing trying. Definitely, you'll earn something moving you out of your comfort zone.
How to hack the time: Workers and entrepreuners
It isn't just for travelers (Did you pay for the all-inclusive package, safe and scheduled?, sorry but you are a plane tourist), is for everyone who is able to question assumptions (in fact, when you are a foreigner, you are often more likely to question systems, because you lack of pre-build concepts that locals have, take advantage of that feeling) It could be done -and is done- by both employees and employers.
May be you have the money to travel, but you lack time. Tim Ferry's in his famous book "4 Hours Work Week" propose us some fun exercises to free our mind and time, (or just be more productive if you wish) whatever you are a worker or an entrepreneur (creative entrepreneurs that want to improve the world, be very welcome. While you exploitative employers, get out of here!).
According Tim, the key is think different and do the DEAL (Define, Eliminate, Automate, Liberate) Most people just don't dream their life, they don't know what exactly they want. They don't define and just follow some given cultural models, given life styles. His invitation is to design and define our own life style, taking immediate action, no excuses are allowed. You must to think how to reach your goals in life. Not just thinking in money measures, but also how to get it when is need it. More money doesn't mean work harder. Be hard worker is overrated, the important thing is be productive, which is do the same in less time. Time is the currency to pay for your dreams. With enough time we set us free to enjoy life as we want to. BUT! only if we have defined our dreams first. Otherwise we'll just waste your time on unnecessary things.
That is why is important to eliminate. Stop to doing unproductive and inefficient things. Things that only get us away from our dreams. In this case the key is analyze which things bring us the least of benefits and the most of our problems and time wasting. Then, just cut it off!. It isn't a easy thing to do, it's against our conservative and cumulative instincts. We even feel attached with the things and customs that we have even if they aren't good for us. To be more efficient with our time we must do the important in life, such things we avoid to do maybe because we are afraid to fail. So we procrastinate and get busy with unimportant things. A good idea could be ask for professional help or a friend who knows more about something you want to do. Often you get things done much more cheaper and better. Automatization is about that. Don't waste you life, is just one. Get things done! Specialize in that you are good.
That is why is important to eliminate. Stop to doing unproductive and inefficient things. Things that only get us away from our dreams. In this case the key is analyze which things bring us the least of benefits and the most of our problems and time wasting. Then, just cut it off!. It isn't a easy thing to do, it's against our conservative and cumulative instincts. We even feel attached with the things and customs that we have even if they aren't good for us. To be more efficient with our time we must do the important in life, such things we avoid to do maybe because we are afraid to fail. So we procrastinate and get busy with unimportant things. A good idea could be ask for professional help or a friend who knows more about something you want to do. Often you get things done much more cheaper and better. Automatization is about that. Don't waste you life, is just one. Get things done! Specialize in that you are good.
Finally, set you free!, not just mentally, but physically as well. Big game, dream global. Big goals are often easier than do it mediocre, because two reasons: 1) mediocre goals with mediocre rewards often means mediocre effort, while awesome goals and amazing reward.... you know what I mean. 2) There is too much competence for possible goals, go for the impossible. Be global, take advantage of hour differences, money exchange rates, system differences, twist the systems. For instance, there was some entrepreneurs who always complain about how hard is start and operate a business in Latin America because the bureaucracy, and the easy that is for foreign companies operate in their countries because policies to attract foreign investment. Then, the decide to twist the world system, they started their company in foreign countries with less bureaucracy and cost and started to operate that "foreign company" in their own country taking advantage of those policies. They started to defeat an unfair system.
Another example is Pete, a canadian who get retired at his 30's. He did it with a financial home total plan. His secret was have a simple life, learning to enjoy simple things in life. He successfully avoided to fall into the illusion of advertising world and resisting the pressure of a consumerist society, but after all, enjoying life. He turn that life into a saving plan with goals (because saving without goals of how to spend that money is be stingy), now he travel the world very relaxed (here his blog). There are many other examples of people that question their assumptions and culture (as consumerism).
That's right, we cannot live without culture, but it doesn't mean we aren't able to fix it or change it to make it more dynamic. That is what hacker culture is about. As former minister of culture of Brazil- and hacker- Gilberto Gil has said: "hackers create, innovate, solve problems and practice the organization of mutual and voluntary help".
I was 24 when I started my trip around the world. With 26 I came back home and I closed the circle. Now, with the same 26 I think it was a hug to the world to try to measure it, to get to know if all those stories, that I've heard, were true. I think I should do it again, several times! I still wishing that uncomfortable feeling when you do new thing for first time, sweaty hands and laughing so hard when I made a mistake. Get out of comfort zone, make life worth be living. Are you ready for that? Do you think hacker culture is for you?
Viajeros Hacker teaser 1 William Wallace from Pippo Ramos on Vimeo.
PD: If you are interested to know how I did to travel for cheap and know more hacker culture, keep following the blog, I hope soon I'll be able to lunch the documentary about all those hacker-travelers I meet just to show you how to be one.
Sources
http://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2011/08/what-is-debt-%E2%80%93-an-interview-with-economic-anthropologist-david-graeber.html
http://www.lanacion.com.ar/810005-el-ministro-de-cultura-de-brasil-defiende-la-etica-hacker
Tim Ferrys, 2009, 4 Hours Work Week
