I am saying it's a decision to leave a job that is an alternate reality.
you are making shit tons of money (for some) which also happens for hedge fund people
you are travelling a ton
and then you have people catering to your every whim

so yes, it is an alternate reality but choosing to leave is a life decision, just like any other.

geez such angry people.

Boo hoo, they're successful.

What about the four people in the article and how all of them are regretful or bitter about not playing at the level they're accustomed to?

They could still be at that level. Oops.

Rich - underated
Famous - overated

poor - overrated
ignominous - overrated

lol at this thread.

I don't think there was any anger, X, just healthy conversation.

This is the biggest piece of horseshit in a thread that's already overflowing with it.

starting is 100% a choice

stopping, not so much

The people who stop choose to not start again. Or am I wrong there? I'm just going off of the numerous heroin, coke etc... addicts that populate one of my former bands.

I was just saying that before you ever start to begin with, you're not addicted, so there is nothing compelling you to start outside of your own free will. Whereas once you've started, if you're addicted it's likely going to take more to stop than mere willpower.

This is what I was aiming at.

yes and no. Some of it is a crapshoot. I get the point with heroin, there is no "casual" heroin use...
but say, alcohol. Do people never drink in their lives bc they may be an alcoholic? I am sure there are a very small number out there but no one goes into it thinking I am going to be a drunk! you know? I don't really want to get that deep into it but not many people go into things thinking "I am going to be a junkie"

you have a lot of things that factor in, claiming it's free will totally oversimplifying it and insulting to people with struggles. If you aren't an addict you won't get it.

trust me. I know. I know a lot of people in recovery. A lot.

I'm pretty sure that discussing alcohol abuse with you is something I'm not gonna volunteer for. You're right though.

that's right bitch, sit down.

I got a PhD in that department lol.

Seems to me with the drugs and booze, there is really no "right" answer about how it works, what an individual can do, what makes someone start or stop or anything. There is just too much individual variation. I've seen people clean up in a variety or programs using a variety of strategies and I've seen those same programs fail miserably for others. I admit I do think there is a certain personality type, call it disease or whatever, that you can see in someone who uses where you can see the switch flip when they get on a roll that doesn't happen to other people. But, how to solve the problems that creates is an individual decision.

Oh...and the biggest reason I have absolutely zero sympathy for the trials and tribulations of the rich and famous comes down to the simple fact that they don't have to become rich and famous. People act like all this fame and fortune just falls in their lap with no effort. Bullshit. You have to put yourself out there and make it happen if you want the fame and fortune. And, as these four examples show, you can get out anytime you want. So, if some rich famous rock star wants to whine about how he'd rather go work in a gas station, my response is simply...shut the fuck up then and go work in one.