I rarely visit Hacker News for this reason... I've come to realize there are a lot of angry "holier than thou" neckbeards that congregate here these days.
I'm not here to argue. Simply offering my perspective per the OP's request. That does not take away from the fact that almost all plant-based protein sources lack "complete" proteins with all of the essential amino acids that the body needs for cellular repair/regeneration. There are plenty of long-term studies that underscore this.
I am not challenging the merits of vegetables, as I realize they are absolutely essential for optimal health. One needs at least a moderate source of protein and fats with a plentiful source of vegetables to support a healthy metabolism.
- Animal protein is superior to plant-based protein if you consider the natural amino acid profile. Plant-based protein simply lacks several amino acids and many sources aren't "complete" proteins.
- Vitamin B12 is essential for the body and found almost exclusively animal proteins. A Vitamin B12 deficiency can be serious over time and lead to some nasty side effects. Of course, you can always supplement Vitamin B12 and eat fortified foods. My personal preference is to get as much vitamins and minerals from my diet.
- Satiety. Animal proteins simply tend to be more satiating (at least for me).
- Calorie content. It's really difficult to eat the calories needed on a vegan diet. A massive calorie deficit (especially long-term) can wreak havoc on your hormone profile and bring about a number of other health issues.
- Animal overpopulation. If we don't hunt certain species of animals periodically, they'll overpopulate. Hunting keeps nature at a healthy balance of which the available habitat can support. The hunting license fees also support wildlife conservation so that we can protect wild animals and their natural habitats. frnkng mentioned wild boars... they serve as a great example of the threat to pose to farms, because they damage acres and acres of crops.
With that said, my diet varies throughout the week. I'll have moderate amounts of meat for a few days and then I'll switch to plant-based proteins for a few days. I find that it's better on my digestive system.
I am no lawyer, but I am pretty sure an NDA is unenforceable unless damages can be confirmed or confidential information is provably exposed.
Then again, this is the case in Texas. I had to deal with this from a previous employer, met with labor law attorneys, they sent a nasty gram back to said previous employer, and said employer backed out.
I just got word that the Adobe Summit 2020 conference I was set to attend has been canceled. I believe the event had ~17,000 attendees last year, which is but a fraction of the SXSW attendance. Most of the attendees are based in the US too...
Safer, maybe, but nothing beats truly owning real estate.
I have a few rental properties, all managed by a property management co.
I can cash out re-fi and roll it into another property tax free, rinse and repeat. Buy > Rehab > Rent > Refinance > Repeat.
I can take the property and sell if it appreciates.
I can do a 1031 tax exchange for a similar property.
Or I can just continue to rent it out.
Best part is I can use other people's money as leverage to buy much more property, and if the deal makes sense at the time of purchase/deal analysis, I won't be over-leveraged and will stand to make money, with multiple exits as options.
After paying off the note, I can seller finance it to someone (rent-to-own) if I wish, at whatever interest rate I/my buyer deems appropriate.
Can't do that with REITs, unfortunately. But in terms of being truly passive, REITs fit the bill!
1. Invest in pro-landlord states. I know plenty of investors that haven't even walked the properties they own and invest out of state without issues.
2. Interview potential tenants and verify income, rental history, references, credit check, background check, etc.
3. Have a strong lease agreement that outlines all of this.
4. Account for vacancies every month as an expense - 3-5% is pretty reasonable. And don't touch this money.
For every story like this, there's a hundred success stories. While real estate is hardly passive, I enjoy outperforming the stock market year after year with cash flow, leverage, and appreciation.
Strong lease agreements, property management, and vetting the right tenants will avoid 99% of these issues... but you can only do so much to prevent these issues from arising. I account for 3-5% vacancy every month as part of expenses and don't touch that money for this very reason.
Liquidate all of it and buy multi-family apartment complexes. Retire and use my freedom of time to create businesses I care about for the simple joy of creating value in the marketplace.
I realize this, but if mass unemployment ensues, where will the money for UBI come from? It can't be printed from thin air and it simply isn't fair to take from those who sacrificed their time and efforts to build wealth, only to have it taken away.
My hint at the trades (HVAC/Plumbing/whatever) was that the supply will be incredibly low in the next decade or so, when many of these workers retire, but their demand will be higher than ever.
I didn't say "startup." There are literally hundreds of jobs, trades, and skill-sets that will be valuable for years. Create value in someone's life in some way, exchange that value for money, and you have a business.
I see few millenials seeking employment or learning the HVAC/electrician/construction/plumbing trades, and yet, they can be extremely lucrative... especially after you are skilled enough to start a business.
Robots and AI will not be replacing these trades anytime soon.
Because the only way to create UBI is to take money from other people and redistribute it. Horrible idea. I do not want my hard-earned income and efforts wasted on those who wish to freeload. I'd much rather donate to charities and responsible non-profits, who will do a better job at supporting those who find themselves in tough situations.
Yes. It's a sad truth, but nobody is responsible for staying ahead but yourself. Continuous improvement and self-directed learning should be emphasized in schooling, but it isn't. You're merely taught to behave and do as you are told.
Why is it your fault or my fault that someone didn't pay attention to their environment and work on pivoting their career?