This is a blog where the overarching theme is making your own path and not being internally affected by the gyrations of the outside world. How in the world does Tucker Max not fit that profile?

I could easily explain why you’re both idiots but I refuse to.

As usual, your post has initiated some self-reflection for me and it is great to be reminded that the negative aspect of my life are my own fault. Lately, instead of positively dealing with my problems, I have just been bitching about life and how unfair it is. I know I can either run away from my problems like a coward or stand up on my own two feet and face them like a man. Thanks for this post to help remind me I need to start acting like a fucking man. I think I’ll start right now.

Sam

I’m not a huge Tucker fan, and I don’t need to be in order to be impressed with his rise to fame. He’s even said he’s not a terribly gifted writer, but he rightly credits himself with a determined work ethic, relentless ambition, and a refusal to take heed of pretty criticism.

There are people who like to talk about what they could do, and then there are people who actually do things, leaving the wistful speculation for defeatist pussies. Tucker went out and did something, and probably didn’t give too much thought to the bitter, envious potshots hurled at him by countless keyboard critic nobodies.

Philosophy is hard when it’s useful. Luckily there is a wealth of wisdom to draw on. I can’t explain how influential Stocicism has been for me over the last month or two. Simple concepts that get shoved to the bottom of the stack by all the trivial shit piled on top. There’s such incredible liberation in acknowledging that most of life’s problems are caused and solved by the self. Merry Christmas to all.

I think Pete is making a mistake if he stops reading Ryan’s blog in response to his association with Tucker. I should have pointed that out in my first post. I’m also obviously joking about the door hitting my ass on the way out. Unless Ryan kicks me off, I’ll continue reading his thoughtful posts.

The ‘record breaking, greatest journalists of all time’ quote is silly. Ryan is a better writer than Tucker, and if he decides to write a book dealing with the themes he works with on this blog, it’ll be a much more meaningful book than Tucker’s.

I know Tucker is a smart guy, and I’m sure he has helped Ryan succeed in many ways, but I completely understand someone who linked to this blog through Ferriss’ site being disappointed/confused to find out that Ryan promotes someone who calls himself an asshole and a dickhead.

Ryan knows Tucker personally, but the rest of us only know the Tucker Max who is presented to us by Tucker Max. And there is a big gap between Seneca and a guy who writes (and lies) about buttfucking and barfing on his girlfriend in order to make a lot of money from the ignorant masses.

If you disagree, fine, but I don’t think Pete’s (or my) point is idiotic. If you’re arguing with an idiot, they say, make sure he isn’t doing the same thing.

And you still don’t understand how idiotic it is that you agreed with a guy who said he was going to stop reading Ryan’s writing because of his association with these people.

I think your post was directed at Pete, but in my case: although there was/is confusion with your promotion of Tucker Max, there certainly isn’t a ‘large, impenetrable separation’ between us (you, me, or Pete).

In actuality, you’re likely enjoying the benefits of our shared interests on a daily basis, so I’m surprised a couple mild-natured posts complimenting your writing, but questioning Tucker Max’s purpose prompts you to tell people to leave your blog.

I’ll try not to let the door hit my ass on the way out…

Do I honestly think your should purchase a book by Mark Ebner, a friend and widely respected journalist? Yes. You like what I write about but can’t understand the association with Tucker? Who do you think helped me get here? Who do you think personally recommended – and early on bought for me – the books I talk about?

I hope these associations continue to alienate readers such as yourself. I hope they continue to put up a large, impenetrable separation between us. They’ve already created a nice one that I’m enjoying the benefits of on a daily basis.