Comments on: Optimism Tax

By: Ma.tt » Don’t Check Your Valuables

Ma.tt » Don’t Check Your Valuables — Thu, 15 May 2008 23:24:44 +0000

[...] literally over a hundred trips over the last 4-5 years. This has shaken me a lot more than the incident a few weeks ago and I’m probably not going to check any electronics anymore. Jon Udell had something similar [...]

By: Charleen

Charleen — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 19:16:05 +0000

Taking *basic* precautions is not being pessimistic. Just think this “if I lock my doors, then they will just walk on by.”
If it’s in a monitored garage, then they’d be stupid to break the glass. Really, at that point, it’s just common sense, and **safety**. For God’s sake, I don’t want you to learn the hard way what could happen if you continue this behavior. It’s neglectful of yourself, and leaves your family worried. I’m glad you paid your optimism tax, but what are the rest of us going to take a hit on if something happens to you?

By: rama

rama — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 07:47:28 +0000

and why would he do something bad like that..

By: Blogistan Panoptikum KW17 2008 auf datenschmutz.net

Blogistan Panoptikum KW17 2008 auf datenschmutz.net — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 16:10:40 +0000

[...] ma.tt bin ich auf eine sehr nette Anekdote zum Thema Optimism Tax gestoßen. Die Kurzfassung: [...]

By: Matias,

Matias, — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 23:39:49 +0000

Sorry mate for your loss. But I agree a small price to pay for a feeling that is rare today

By: Beau

Beau — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 17:50:36 +0000

That’s a very “Hal” sounding story. I met him a couple times and he’s a really positive guy — always looks on the bright side of things, and somehow manages to get everyone around him to do the same.

Consider yourself “Hal’ed”

By: Optimism Tax Paid in Full | Lisa Sabin-Wilson

Optimism Tax Paid in Full | Lisa Sabin-Wilson — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 13:18:23 +0000

[...] is that to lead – - either on a personal, or professional level? I came across a post that Matt did about Optimism Tax – you should check it out, and then click the link in his post and read the story. I’m [...]

By: Melvin

Melvin — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 11:34:22 +0000

yeah and for me getting robbed is insulting!

By: maya

maya — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 22:49:14 +0000

Being robbed is the worst feeling ever. I’ve been robbed several times in the most unlikely places. The worst was when they stole my pictures of Asia and the only pictures of my grandparents that I had. Unfortunately I didn’t have any copies of anything. You have to think what kind of state of living a person has to be in to actually want to steal things. What comes around goes around.

By: Fred X

Fred X — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 21:51:49 +0000

Yah but why not do the common sense thing! ….. friend grabs pack …runs in to get you. Now cabbie can stay or leave!….you’re not out anything except some time waiting for another cab! All you have to do is be a little more sticky. Think of it as a form of hygiene. Or will you consider to have sex without a condom? ….. roughly equivalent.

By: Spamboy

Spamboy — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 16:18:16 +0000

The sheer weight of that ancient Palm Pilot should slow the cab down enough that you could catch up to it. Start running…now!

By: edi

edi — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 06:06:53 +0000

This post makes no sense at all. I’m so confused!

By: Tarun

Tarun — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:09:48 +0000

I just got slapped by a ticket when deliberately taking an illegal left turn right outside my office campus

What gives solace is the fact that I broke the law about dozen times before I got caught.

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 17:38:01 +0000

You know, I thought that story was going to end completely differently …

By: Vixx

Vixx — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 17:13:15 +0000

Ouch. :\

Hope that optimism was insured against theft?

By: Avrila

Avrila — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 14:59:34 +0000

I paid my optimism tax about two weeks ago, on my birthday, in the form of my cell phone. My last payment before that was when I was 15 and my alleged friend stole my whole purse.

By: Nick Vidal

Nick Vidal — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 13:39:04 +0000

Letting bad thrive is not good. Securing ourselves and our close ones is a good thing. Don’t feel bad about being prudent and careful; much the contrary. What price do we pay as a society for trusting those who are not trustworthy?

By: Mark Jaquith

Mark Jaquith — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 05:49:44 +0000

How long had that Palm Pilot been in there?! Or were you on the way to donate it to the technology museum?

By: Benji

Benji — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 04:39:59 +0000

Well try third world countries, i don’t like the definition but a friend’s car was stolen at gun point one week ago. Yeah it’s strange that after playing Counter Strike you know what an AK-47 looks like!

By: Clay

Clay — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 03:44:38 +0000

What a great story. Sorry to hear about your car though. I don’t think I could ever be that optimistic, but it’s a great goal to work towards…

By: Halcyon

Halcyon — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 03:42:42 +0000

aww, I’m sorry you took a hit.
But it certainly makes me feel good that people like YOU are out there.

By: m@

m@ — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 03:39:51 +0000

Errr, things rather.

This is coming from someone who had his house burglarized in the past month. It sucks, and shame on me for not locking up better, but in the future when I do, then at least I know I’ve done my best.

By: m@

m@ — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 03:36:53 +0000

Yeah, without opening the linked post, it’s quite confusing.

I think there’s a difference between optimism and foolishly hoping. I think you should take every means to secure your personal safety and the safety of things that are important to you, but after that, don’t worry. As long as you’re safe, things are just that. Thing.

By: Matt

Matt — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 01:20:23 +0000

If you read the linked post it should make more sense, I think.

By: Johnny

Johnny — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 01:12:25 +0000

This post makes no sense at all. I’m so confused!