@kevinwong Ok this is a fantastic post. However you need to understand the origin of the saying, because it has become completely divorced from it's meaning.
No such thing as a free lunch, was NEVER intended to indicate that there are no free lunches or free items etc.
In fact it's meaning comes from the fact that when people are homeless and hungry they can go to soup kitchens and other public service organizations. Unfortunately there is a tendency to value "free things" as having no value.
Thus the saying is implied to mean you need to be greatful for the work and effort involved in anything. Because even if it's given to you at no charge, someone had to work to make it and you devalue them and their efforts when you lack graciousness and appreciation for that effort.
So the saying isn't message to get off your ass. It's not challenge to find free crap. It's a gentle reminder that everything, even free things, have value to those who make them and therefore they should be valued by those who are fortunate to receive them, regardless of the cost paid.
Excellent post, upvoted and of course I've been following you for awhile! Keep up the great work!
I liked your interpretation of TANSTAAFL
Actually tanstaafl (imho) was an explanation to the layman (without getting into the complexities of economics) that as Newton explains "for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction". Nothing is "Free" because it takes productivity to create .. (someone "HAS" to pay AND DID) for that Free lunch. It IS a concept of balance, there can be no consumption without creation, or "You can't get something for (FROM) nothing"
I would agree with your definition @jtstreetman. As I was first introduced to "TANSTAAFL" by an adamant electronics teacher in college while explaining the characteristics of energy. I like to hear all the interpretations of this idea though. And I think much of the diversity in the discussion comes from the fact that the word "free" has such a varied interpretation as well. I noticed this while reading @williambanks thoughts on this subject. A subject that interests me to a great degree!
as a basically retired electronics tech, I can relate, "conservation of energy" ... same concept ..
as a basically retired electronics tech, I can relate, "conservation of energy" ... same concept ..
HEAR ! lol I am an older guy, so I (Listen) to the concept, NOT pick apart the words that are written, I call that being "Legalistic" ... so many can't grasp the concept because they are dissecting what is written. ie, You wrote here instead of hear, but I understood what you were saying because I listen to the "concept" of what your saying .. People need to understand, the word free, in this case it means "something for nothing " the concept of TANSTAAFL means there is NO SUCH THING AS FREE ... a Dime laying on the street is NOT FREE, it cost YOU energy to reach down and pick it up ... NOTHING is free ... except sunlight .. air is NOT free .. it cost YOU energy to breath it !
I see, that's one take on it - probably true too. As I understand from the context in which the author was positioned in back in the days - there were certainly anti-communist undertones. Thanks for dropping by such a good explanation on TANSTAAFL - really interesting to see what are people's thoughts on this subject matter. Thanks for the support brother :)
It's always my hope that my commentary adds a little to each blog I comment in. So thanks for that.
You're very welcome kevinwong you're a great poster. Keep up the great work and thanks for stopping by my blog too!
@onevoluntaryist WELL SAID !!!
"...anti-communist undertones."? Read the author's works. He was a libertarian. What does Marx say about re-distribution? What do governments tell their welfare recipients? They tell the beneficiaries they have a "right" to someone else's produce. If you have it coming, do you say thank you? Or do you say, "Give me more, and make it quick."? The latter. And do you support a monster who brokers the transfer? Of course. Do you care if they get rich? Not as long as they deliver your loot. Oh, excuse me, "What you deserve". The author of TANSTAAFL was reminding the people who would like to forget they are receiving stolen goods/services that someone worked for their "free lunch". It was not "free" to produce, it took work. And in some cases, it was not freely given, it was taken by force. It is considered impolite to mention this nowadays, but it is not considered impolite to denigrate the producers, as was shown by openly hostile democratic delegates at the convention. They declared, one and all, business profits should be taken away, and if that caused bankruptcy, ah ah, too bad. That is the mental state, the insane anti-productive mentality of many people who are 3rd,4th, & 5th generation welfare/govt. worker socialists.
WELL SAID !!!
Hello ! I usually don't post my age because of the "Age Racist" these days ...
I am 55 and live in the usa, and every day I grow more and more disgusted with these so called Americans. See, I'm from another planet, I grew up pulling weeds or churning milk for butter (Infant or a young child work) or I DIDN'T eat. That was a rule, no work, no food. (lack of manners at the dinner table got you sent away from the table, NO FOOD) ... I hate these people that I see every day ... They think freedom means a way of life to get any and everything without doing ANY work at all ... I will not cry anymore, lol I plan going to Mexico soon ... These retards can have the usa and swim in their own feces ... USA = Uneducated Socialist Asylum.
The ONLY thing I can think of that is free is sunlight ... air is NOT free ... You have to use energy to breath .. TANSTAAFL is what some of us LIVE by, MY mantra anyway !
"I think, therefore I am" (MY definition of Freedom ! ) I do appreciate your attempt to educate, but my friend, Sheep do not understand even simple concepts spoken in english.
I wish you freedom !
Read More, Reason More ... JTS