David Wong's latest cracked article

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Doclector

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http://www.cracked.com/blog/6-harsh-truths-that-will-make-you-better-person/

And how it makes me want to chuck myself off a cliff.

Basically, it boils down to "You are useless unless you can actually do something impressive, so go learn to do that".

It's meant as a sharp kick up the arse to motivate people. The theory goes that loads of people simply wish they could do some things, but they don't really try to do them.

So...in?

Thing is, I've always tried to do shit. I've always tried to be funnier, smarter, better at film. But looking at it after reading this article, I'm still useless. People say I'm smart, people say I'm funny, but they're wrong. I've never really achieved anything from that that means anything. I did a college course, I'm at uni, but big fucking deal, everything I've ever done is shit.

Gotta admit, I was pretty fucking stupid to even read the article in the first place. Now I just feel like I have nothing to offer and I'll never get good enough at anything to have something to offer. Hell, I've never gotten better at anything before.
 

JoJo

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Heh, I thought it was a pretty good article, though I'll admit it wasn't particular aimed at me since my life is on track at the moment. What it says is entirely true, being a good person isn't enough, you need some sort of skill set to succeed in life.
 

Vault101

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Sep 26, 2010
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I kind of already understood most of his points, and he is right in many ways, youre worth as a person is what you can contribute, its not about being useless, its about making yourself a better person, thinking your already great isn't a good motivator

I already agree what he says about "nice guys" as in [i/]"I'm nice[/i]<- oh your nice? well thats bare minimum...you can't skate by on bare minimum
Doclector said:
Thing is, I've always tried to do shit. I've always tried to be funnier, smarter, better at film. But looking at it after reading this article, I'm still useless. People say I'm smart, people say I'm funny, but they're wrong. I've never really achieved anything from that that means anything. I did a college course, I'm at uni, but big fucking deal, everything I've ever done is shit.
r]
how do you know that? really? you just sound like your in a bit of a mood
 

Rawne1980

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Jul 29, 2011
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I didn't get to read that article.

It sent me away in the first paragraph.

Feel free to stop reading this if your career is going great, you're thrilled with your life and you're happy with your relationships. Enjoy the rest of your day, friend, this article is not for you. You're doing a great job, we're all proud of you.
So I waved at my monitor and went on my happy way.
 

Hoplon

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Mar 31, 2010
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Doclector said:
http://www.cracked.com/blog/6-harsh-truths-that-will-make-you-better-person/

And how it makes me want to chuck myself off a cliff.

Basically, it boils down to "You are useless unless you can actually do something impressive, so go learn to do that".

It's meant as a sharp kick up the arse to motivate people. The theory goes that loads of people simply wish they could do some things, but they don't really try to do them.

So...in?

Thing is, I've always tried to do shit. I've always tried to be funnier, smarter, better at film. But looking at it after reading this article, I'm still useless. People say I'm smart, people say I'm funny, but they're wrong. I've never really achieved anything from that that means anything. I did a college course, I'm at uni, but big fucking deal, everything I've ever done is shit.

Gotta admit, I was pretty fucking stupid to even read the article in the first place. Now I just feel like I have nothing to offer and I'll never get good enough at anything to have something to offer. Hell, I've never gotten better at anything before.
It not about meaningful production, it's about producing, you produce stuff? you doing it, you winging about what other people produce and producing nothing? fuck off you useless bastard.

Meaning full is a subjective judgement and he never mentions it.
 

SadakoMoose

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Jun 10, 2009
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Yeah, David Wong can be a real Debby Downer sometimes. The best thing about it though, is that this article is only his opinion. You can make "facts" and "statistics" say whatever you want, and at the end of the day; anything written about your role in the universe or in life or whatever is still entirely subjective, because were are all totally unaware of the true nature of reality.
So, like any simple opinion piece, it can be ignored or rebutted.
 

Pink Gregory

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I do find myself agreeing with it a little - though my personal views on life the universe etc are totally different.

It's certainly a good piece of motivational material, it's true that potential means nothing unless it's acted upon.
 

DudeistBelieve

TellEmSteveDave.com
Sep 9, 2010
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Article is right in places, though I tend to think even if I had financial success and had binders full of women I'd still feel rather empty and hollow inside.

I have a need for spiritual fulfill meant, I suppose.

Doclector said:
http://www.cracked.com/blog/6-harsh-truths-that-will-make-you-better-person/

And how it makes me want to chuck myself off a cliff.

Basically, it boils down to "You are useless unless you can actually do something impressive, so go learn to do that".

It's meant as a sharp kick up the arse to motivate people. The theory goes that loads of people simply wish they could do some things, but they don't really try to do them.

So...in?

Thing is, I've always tried to do shit. I've always tried to be funnier, smarter, better at film. But looking at it after reading this article, I'm still useless. People say I'm smart, people say I'm funny, but they're wrong. I've never really achieved anything from that that means anything. I did a college course, I'm at uni, but big fucking deal, everything I've ever done is shit.

Gotta admit, I was pretty fucking stupid to even read the article in the first place. Now I just feel like I have nothing to offer and I'll never get good enough at anything to have something to offer. Hell, I've never gotten better at anything before.
You don't just try. You keep trying until you succeed and even then you keep on trying., perfecting, honing your skills.
 

Doclector

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Vault101 said:
I kind of already understood most of his points, and he is right in many ways, youre worth as a person is what you can contribute, its not about being useless, its about making yourself a better person, thinking your already great isn't a good motivator

I already agree what he says about "nice guys" as in [i/]"I'm nice[/i]<- oh your nice? well thats bare minimum...you can't skate by on bare minimum
Doclector said:
Thing is, I've always tried to do shit. I've always tried to be funnier, smarter, better at film. But looking at it after reading this article, I'm still useless. People say I'm smart, people say I'm funny, but they're wrong. I've never really achieved anything from that that means anything. I did a college course, I'm at uni, but big fucking deal, everything I've ever done is shit.
r]
how do you know that? really? you just sound like your in a bit of a mood
I guess it put me in a bit of a mood. I'm a bit better now, but still, the point that gets me is I've always tried to improve myself, and honestly, I've gotten nowhere meaningful. I've tried to become a better filmmaker, but none of my stuff from the past three years is good. I've always tried to be funnier, but I'm not funny, and never have been. I've always tried to be more sociable and a proper human being, and shit, I'm still a goddamn virgin. For all of my trying, I've come up with nothing.
 

dyre

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Mar 30, 2011
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Heh, good article. David Wong is great. It's too bad I read it right now though; I should have waited until I was procrastinating for something really important before I read it.

However, it has inspired me to make this my last thread viewed on the Escapist for the day, and get some work done, so there's that.
 

Suicidejim

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Read it last night, gave me a mild motivation boost, since I've spent a lot of time sat on my ass lately.

...of course, fast forward to the next day and I'm discussing an internet article for a comedy site on a gaming forum, so that productivity boost might have been a little short lived.
 

Eclipse Dragon

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Doclector said:
I guess it put me in a bit of a mood. I'm a bit better now, but still, the point that gets me is I've always tried to improve myself, and honestly, I've gotten nowhere meaningful. I've tried to become a better filmmaker, but none of my stuff from the past three years is good. I've always tried to be funnier, but I'm not funny, and never have been. I've always tried to be more sociable and a proper human being, and shit, I'm still a goddamn virgin. For all of my trying, I've come up with nothing.
I'm pretty sure the point of the article is to just do something, anything. What you produce doesn't need to shake the world, you just need to produce. You said yourself that you've tried to be a film maker and "none of my stuff for the past three years is good."

So you have stuff, that you can show people? You've created things. That's the whole point of the article. It's to get you to do things. You've made videos, you're at uni, you try to be sociable, well guess what, by making this thread, you're being sociable, you've done things. Therefore you don't need to feel bad about it. How you feel about the quality of your work doesn't matter. I draw, I don't like anything that I draw, but that's a good thing, because I can see the flaws, so I know how to improve.
 

Pink Gregory

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Suicidejim said:
Read it last night, gave me a mild motivation boost, since I've spent a lot of time sat on my ass lately.

...of course, fast forward to the next day and I'm discussing an internet article for a comedy site on a gaming forum, so that productivity boost might have been a little short lived.
Thought is of utmost importance; at least you're engaging yourself on some level, engaging with other people and presumably trying to expand your own thoughts.

Productivity without thought is impossible, thought without productivity is largely fruitless, but thought (and indeed productivity) can be defined in many abstract ways.
 

astrav1

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David wong has always been and will always be a shit head. His writings mean nothing.
 

xmbts

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As a personal rule I never think too hard about any cracked article since most of them are upsetting in any number of ways if you put too much thought into them.
 

Geo Da Sponge

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I don't really disagree with the article, but it's just another one of those lists of generic pieces of advice that are obvious to anyone who actually thinks about the subject. Always the same things. Be motivated! Be interesting! Live life to the fullest! What do you bring to the table? Dare to dream! Create what you imagine!

It's fucking depressing, is all.
 

Casual Shinji

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The only part of the article that resonated with me was the bit on 'creating as opposed to consuming'.

I love watching movies and playing games, but the feeling I get from making a good cartoon beats all of that. It's the only time I genuinely feel proud of myself.

As for the rest? It's sounds like the ussual "go out there and make something of yourself". But the thing is, I'm simply not a go-getter. Everything I do, I do to feel better about myself as a person. Whether this is helping the people I care about or taking care of myself. I'm not going to strain myself trying to make other people think better of me. If other people feel I don't put in enough effort to be worthy of their attention or whatever else they have to offer, than tough noogies.
 

EvilRoy

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SaneAmongInsane said:
Article is right in places, though I tend to think even if I had financial success and had binders full of women I'd still feel rather empty and hollow inside.

I have a need for spiritual fulfill meant, I suppose.

Doclector said:
http://www.cracked.com/blog/6-harsh-truths-that-will-make-you-better-person/

And how it makes me want to chuck myself off a cliff.

Basically, it boils down to "You are useless unless you can actually do something impressive, so go learn to do that".

It's meant as a sharp kick up the arse to motivate people. The theory goes that loads of people simply wish they could do some things, but they don't really try to do them.

So...in?

Thing is, I've always tried to do shit. I've always tried to be funnier, smarter, better at film. But looking at it after reading this article, I'm still useless. People say I'm smart, people say I'm funny, but they're wrong. I've never really achieved anything from that that means anything. I did a college course, I'm at uni, but big fucking deal, everything I've ever done is shit.

Gotta admit, I was pretty fucking stupid to even read the article in the first place. Now I just feel like I have nothing to offer and I'll never get good enough at anything to have something to offer. Hell, I've never gotten better at anything before.
You don't just try. You keep trying until you succeed and even then you keep on trying., perfecting, honing your skills.
I didn't really think the article is about financial success, despite the glennary glen somebody bit, but rather about just general production of personal skills.

His bit on 'being a nice guy' not being worth anything really resonated with me, because for a long time I was one of those guys who was just nice and constantly surprised that women weren't into me. Years later in addition to being nice I had grown a personality and with it developed skills for making people laugh, empathizing with people despite opposing viewpoints, competently communicating and I even grew a couple hobbies that gave me some interesting conversation topics, and what do you know things changed. The ladies aren't exactly crawling all over me, but I haven't heard the "you're really nice but..." speech in a long time.
 

chikusho

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I think you interpreted the article way too harshly. All he's saying is that you should learn and practice stuff to become better and more interesting as a person. Every skill doesn't need to be marketable.
Just juggling for 30 minutes a day takes about 1 sitcom episode away and you learn something the majority of the world can't do in a relatively short time. When you learn something that's really simple, you may get motivated to learn and try other things as a result. If you focus on improving as a person for yourself your confidence will increase and others will see you as more interesting. Etc.