Sports vs. Fine Arts: Which Path Leads to Better Financial Success?
Explore the financial prospects of pursuing sports versus fine arts careers. Learn about the odds of success, potential earnings, and long-term stability in both fields.
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Sports vs. Fine Arts: Which Path Leads to Better Financial Success?
Have you ever wondered if you should focus on sports or fine arts? Let's talk about what we didn't learn in school about these career paths. We'll also discuss how to improve your life using kaizen, a Japanese idea about getting better little by little.
What is Kaizen?
Kaizen means "improvement" in Japanese. It's about making small changes every day to get better over time. Instead of trying to change everything at once, you focus on improving just 1% each day. These small changes add up to big results over time!
Sports vs. Fine Arts: The Career Funnel
Let's look at how many people make it to the top in sports and fine arts:
Sports Career Funnel:
Youth sports: About 60 million kids
High school sports: 7.9 million students
College sports: 495,000 students
Professional sports: Only 1.6% of college athletes make it
Professional sports: Only 132 out of every 1 million kids who start in youth sports make it to the pros
Fine Arts Career Funnel:
Youth in arts: Millions of kids
High school arts: 4.4 million students
College arts: 1.7 million students
Professional artists: Less than 10% work full-time in their field
Acting: Only about 0.04% of actors are famous enough to be recognized
Music: Less than 0.000002% of musicians will have a platinum record
These examples show that reaching the very top of any competitive field is extremely rare, whether in sports, arts, or business.
Making Money in Sports vs. Fine Arts
While top athletes can make a lot of money, most don't. Fine arts careers might offer more chances to earn money, even if you're not famous. Here's why:
More ways to use your skills (teaching, freelancing, selling art)
Longer career span (you can be an artist at any age)
Ability to write off expenses for taxes
Conclusion: Both Paths Have Value
Whether you choose sports or fine arts, remember:
Both can teach you important life skills
It's okay to try both and see what you like best
Use kaizen to keep improving, no matter what you choose
Consider how you can turn your passion into a career or side job
Remember, success isn't just about making it to the top. It's about enjoying what you do and always trying to get better. Use kaizen to improve a little each day, and you'll be amazed at how far you can go!
Further Reading
NCAA Research - Estimated probability of competing in professional athletics: https://www.ncaa.org/sports/2015/3/2/estimated-probability-of-competing-in-professional-athletics.aspx
Americans for the Arts - Arts & Economic Prosperity 5 Report: https://www.americansforthearts.org/by-program/reports-and-data/research-studies-publications/arts-economic-prosperity-5
National Endowment for the Arts - Arts Data Profile on Artists and Other Cultural Workers: https://www.arts.gov/impact/research/arts-data-profile-series/adp-30
Other Omniversity Blog posts
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Honesty vs Truth: Understanding the Difference
Honesty and truth: two words we often use interchangeably. But are they really the same? Discover the surprising differences and how understanding them can transform your relationships and decision-making. Prepare to challenge your assumptions in this eye-opening exploration.
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Honesty vs Truth: Understanding the Difference
Infographic depicting the difference between honesty and truth
In our latest video, we delve into the nuanced distinction between honesty and truth, two concepts that are often used interchangeably but carry significant differences. This exploration is crucial for effective communication and maintaining healthy relationships in both personal and professional spheres.
Honesty: A Personal Perspective
Honesty is fundamentally about intention and personal belief. When we're honest, we're expressing what we genuinely believe to be true based on our knowledge and experiences. It's a subjective stance that reflects our individual understanding of a situation. For instance, when someone says, "I'm giving you my honest opinion," they're sharing their personal viewpoint, which may or may not align with objective reality.
Truth: An Objective Reality
Truth, on the other hand, is about objective reality. It's what actually is, regardless of personal beliefs or opinions. Truth is verifiable and remains constant, independent of individual perspectives. In scientific terms, truth is what can be proven through empirical evidence and rigorous testing.
The Intersection and Divergence
While honesty and truth can align, they don't always do so. A person can be completely honest while being factually incorrect. This discrepancy often leads to misunderstandings and conflicts, especially in areas like politics, where personal opinions and objective facts frequently clash.
Implications in Daily Life
Understanding this difference is crucial in various aspects of life:
Communication: Recognizing when someone is sharing their honest opinion versus stating a fact can improve understanding and reduce conflicts.
Decision Making: In critical situations, distinguishing between honest opinions and verifiable truths can lead to better-informed choices.
Media Literacy: In an era of information overload, discerning between honest reporting and factual accuracy is essential.
Personal Growth: Acknowledging that our honest beliefs might not always align with truth allows for personal development and learning.
Navigating the Complexity
In our increasingly complex world, it's important to:
Be clear about whether you're sharing an opinion or a fact.
Remain open to new information that might challenge your honest beliefs.
Seek verification for important information, especially when making crucial decisions.
Practice empathy when others' honest opinions differ from what you know to be true.
Conclusion
The distinction between honesty and truth is not just a matter of semantics; it's a fundamental aspect of how we perceive and interact with the world around us. By being mindful of this difference, we can foster better understanding, make more informed decisions, and navigate the complexities of human communication more effectively.
Remember, while honesty is commendable, the pursuit of truth through verification and openness to new information is equally important. In our journey through life, balancing these two concepts can lead to more meaningful interactions and a clearer understanding of our world.
Further reading on Truth and Honesty
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Benefits Enrollment. What does this mean?
Benefits enrollment can be complex, involving concepts like sick day banks and choices between FSA and HSA accounts. Understanding the full cost of benefits, which can exceed $1,000 per month, is crucial. These benefits include health insurance, dental and vision coverage, life insurance, disability insurance, and retirement contributions. While the cost may seem high, these benefits provide essential protection and can result in significant long-term savings.
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Understanding Benefits Enrollment: A Comprehensive Guide
Benefits enrollment can be a confusing process for many employees. In this blog post, we'll break down some key aspects of benefits enrollment, focusing on the often misunderstood concept of sick day banks and the differences between FSA and HSA accounts.
The Sick Day Bank: Explained
One of the more complex aspects of benefits is the sick day bank. Here's how it typically works:
Employees are allocated a certain number of paid time off (PTO) days per year.
Employees can choose to donate one of these days to a collective "bank".
This bank accumulates days from all participating employees across the organization.
If an employee experiences a catastrophic illness and exhausts their own PTO, they can draw from this bank.
While the concept might seem strange, it's a form of collective insurance that can provide extended paid leave for those facing severe health issues.
FSA vs HSA: Key Differences
When it comes to health savings, there are two primary options: Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA). Here are some key differences:
Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
"Use it or lose it" - Funds typically don't roll over year to year
Contribution limits are set annually by the IRS
Can be used for a variety of medical expenses
Health Savings Account (HSA)
Funds roll over year to year
Often comes with higher deductible health plans
Can be used as an investment vehicle for retirement
When choosing between an FSA and HSA, consider your health needs and financial goals. An HSA can be a powerful tool for long-term savings, while an FSA might be better for those who can accurately predict their yearly medical expenses.
The True Cost of Benefits
It's important to understand the full cost of your benefits package. Many employees are surprised to learn that their total benefits cost can exceed $1,000 per month. This often includes:
Health insurance premiums
Dental and vision coverage
Life insurance
Disability insurance
Retirement contributions
While this may seem high, remember that these benefits provide crucial protection and can save you significant money in the long run.
Final Thoughts
Understanding your benefits package is crucial for making informed decisions about your health and finances. Don't be afraid to ask questions during your enrollment period, and consider consulting with a financial advisor to optimize your choices.
Remember, benefits are a significant part of your overall compensation package. Taking the time to understand and utilize them fully can have a substantial impact on your financial well-being.
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Tipping. How much is too much?
Tipping. How much is too much?
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ChatGPT Pros and Cons
Tipping is a hot topic with varying opinions. Here’s a rundown of the main points for and against tipping:
Pros of Tipping:
**Supplemental Income:** Tipping provides a significant source of income for workers in service industries where base wages are often low, such as restaurants, salons, and taxis.
**Incentive for Better Service:** It can motivate employees to provide a higher quality of service, as they directly benefit from positive customer interactions.
**Acknowledgment of Good Service:** Tipping offers a way for customers to show appreciation for excellent service, creating a direct feedback loop.
**Flexibility:** It allows customers to adjust their payment based on their satisfaction with the service, potentially influencing better experiences in the future.
**Cultural Norm:** In some countries, tipping has become a deeply ingrained social practice, and removing it could create confusion or resistance.
Cons of Tipping:
**Unstable Income:** Relying on tips can lead to financial instability for workers, especially in areas where tipping culture varies or when customer flow is unpredictable.
**Wage Gaps:** Tipping can contribute to inequality, as workers' income may heavily depend on customer generosity, sometimes influenced by biases regarding race, gender, or attractiveness.
**Unfair Burden on Customers:** Critics argue that tipping shifts the responsibility of fair compensation to customers instead of employers, who should be paying livable wages.
**Obligation Rather than Gratitude:** Many feel pressured to tip, transforming what was meant to be a reward for good service into a mandatory charge, regardless of service quality.
**Lack of Standardization:** There is confusion about when and how much to tip, especially in industries where tipping practices are unclear (e.g., take-out orders, coffee shops).
**Workplace Issues:** Relying on tips can lead to workplace problems like wage theft (tip pooling) or management abusing tip-based payment systems.
This debate often circles back to the idea of fair wages versus tipping as a reward system, and opinions on tipping can vary widely based on cultural norms, industry practices, and individual beliefs.
Do you have statistics on how much money Americans spend on tips?
Based on general data available from financial articles:
On average, Americans tend to spend around $50 to $100 per month on tips, which adds up to approximately $600 to $1,200 per year. This can vary depending on factors such as dining habits, region, and income levels.
When including tips in various service sectors like restaurants, deliveries, salons, and ride-sharing, the annual spending on tips can be significant. Some reports suggest that the average household's total tipping amount could go even higher, especially for those who frequently use services that rely on tips.
For the most accurate and up-to-date statistics, financial news sites and consumer expenditure reports often provide detailed analyses of tipping trends.
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Solar Panels. Yay or Nay?
Solar Panels. Yay or Nay? We had them at our old house, will we get them at our new house?
Early College, become a grown-up…faster?
Electoral College explained to you like you're in 5th grade, but with grown-up situation. You will understand it better and possibly change your mind about it.
Check out the video explanation of what this meant to me and how I interpreted this information.
Here are the top 3 pros and cons for early college/dual credit programs:
Pros:
Cost Savings:
Pro: Students can earn college credits while still in high school, potentially reducing the time and cost of earning a college degree. Many programs are offered at a reduced tuition rate or even for free.
Academic Advancement:
Pro: Students can get a head start on their college education, allowing them to graduate early or take more advanced courses sooner. This can make them more competitive in the college admissions process and prepare them better for rigorous college-level work.
Exploration of Interests:
Pro: Dual credit programs offer students the chance to explore different subjects and fields of study before committing to a college major. This exploration can help them make more informed decisions about their future career paths.
Cons:
Increased Stress and Workload:
Con: Balancing high school and college coursework can be overwhelming, leading to increased stress and burnout. Students may struggle to manage the demands of both, affecting their academic performance and well-being.
Transferability of Credits:
Con: Not all colleges and universities accept dual credit courses, or they may not count towards a student’s intended major. This can lead to complications and potential delays in completing a degree.
Social and Emotional Readiness:
Con: High school students may not be emotionally or socially prepared for the independence and responsibilities that come with college-level courses. This can lead to struggles with time management, self-discipline, and the overall college experience.
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Electoral College, Explain it to Me Like I’m in 5th Grade
Electoral College explained to you like you're in 5th grade, but with grown-up situation. You will understand it better and possibly change your mind about it.
I asked ChatGPT…
…to explain the electoral College to me in simpler terms. Something an adult would comprehend more, like a neighborhood. This is what I got.
Can you provide a thought experiment on a smaller scale of how the US electoral college is useful. Maybe down to a neighborhood.
Available on Podcast Platform
Check out the video explanation of what this meant to me and how I interpreted this information.
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
Certainly! Let's imagine a neighborhood made up of several different blocks. Each block has a different number of residents, and they have different priorities and preferences.
Scenario:
You have a neighborhood with three blocks:
Block A has 50 residents.
Block B has 30 residents.
Block C has 20 residents.
Now, let's say the neighborhood wants to decide on a new community project: should they build a new park or a swimming pool?
Popular Vote Approach:
If you just count every resident's vote equally, the majority rules.
Block A: 40 residents want a park, 10 want a pool.
Block B: 10 residents want a park, 20 want a pool.
Block C: 5 residents want a park, 15 want a pool.
If we count up all the votes:
Park: 55 votes
Pool: 45 votes
The park wins, because Block A had a majority, and it’s the largest block.
Electoral College Approach:
Now, imagine each block gets one vote, and the block’s decision is based on its own majority vote (like an electoral vote).
Block A: Majority wants a park, so Block A’s one vote goes to the park.
Block B: Majority wants a pool, so Block B’s one vote goes to the pool.
Block C: Majority wants a pool, so Block C’s one vote goes to the pool.
Now, let’s count the block votes (like electoral votes):
Park: 1 vote (Block A)
Pool: 2 votes (Blocks B and C)
Even though the popular vote favored the park, the electoral system favors the pool. This is because Blocks B and C, though smaller, combined their preferences to outweigh Block A’s larger population.
Why It Matters:
This system ensures that the smaller blocks (or states, in the real Electoral College) aren't completely ignored by the larger block (or state) just because they have fewer people. It forces candidates (or project proponents) to appeal to a broader range of interests rather than just focusing on the most populous areas.
So, in this neighborhood, the electoral college system helps ensure that the smaller blocks have a significant voice in the decision, rather than being overwhelmed by the largest block’s preferences.
You said:
In this example. Would all blocks be of equal size?
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
In the example I provided, the blocks are not of equal size in terms of population, but each block is given an equal "vote" when using the electoral college approach. This is similar to how the U.S. Electoral College gives each state a certain number of electoral votes, with smaller states having a minimum number of votes to ensure they are represented, even if their populations are much smaller.
To clarify:
Population Size: The blocks have different population sizes (Block A: 50 residents, Block B: 30 residents, Block C: 20 residents).
Voting Power: In the electoral college approach, each block, regardless of population size, gets one vote. This means each block's decision (whether it’s for the park or the pool) is represented equally when the final decision is made, even though the blocks are of different sizes.
This disparity between population size and voting power is key to understanding the dynamics of an electoral college system. It gives smaller groups (like Blocks B and C) more influence than they would have in a straight popular vote, where Block A's larger population would dominate.
You said:
Is the electoral college made to account for land mass also? If there are states that have little population, but a lot of land vs a lot of population on small amounts of land…
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
The U.S. Electoral College is not explicitly designed to account for land mass; rather, it balances population size and state representation.
Here's how it works:
Population Representation:
Each state's number of electoral votes is primarily based on its population. This is because the number of electoral votes a state has is the sum of its representatives in the House (which is population-based) and its two senators (which is equal for all states, regardless of size or population).
States with larger populations get more electoral votes because they have more representatives in the House of Representatives.
State Representation:
Every state, regardless of population or land size, gets two additional electoral votes representing its two senators. This means that smaller states have a slightly higher proportion of influence compared to their population size alone. For instance, Wyoming (a small population but large land area) has 3 electoral votes, while California (a large population but relatively small land area) has 54 electoral votes.
Land Mass vs. Population:
Land Mass: The Electoral College does not give any explicit weight to the physical size of a state. Large states in terms of land area like Alaska, Montana, and Wyoming do not get more electoral votes because of their land size. Their electoral votes are based on population plus the fixed number of two Senate-based electoral votes.
Population: States with large populations but smaller land areas, such as New York or California, have significantly more electoral votes because they have many more representatives in the House.
Practical Impact:
While land mass isn't directly considered, the structure of the Electoral College does give more influence to less populated states, many of which happen to have large land areas. This is due to the "Senate effect," where every state gets two electoral votes regardless of population.
Example:
California (a large population, small land mass) has 54 electoral votes because of its large population.
Wyoming (a small population, large land mass) has 3 electoral votes, which is relatively high given its small population because of its guaranteed two Senate-based votes.
In summary, while the Electoral College doesn’t account for land mass directly, its structure ensures that smaller states (which often have more land but fewer people) are not entirely overshadowed by the more populous states. This helps balance the interests of states with different population densities, though the balance is more about political power between states rather than a direct land vs. population consideration.
You said:
Can you run the thought experiment again with the electoral college for a neighborhood, but this time account for proportional votes. Representatives for population per block, and also representative per block, as the house and senate representatives.
ChatGPT said:
ChatGPT
Certainly! Let’s expand on the neighborhood thought experiment, introducing a more detailed analogy with proportional representation similar to the U.S. Electoral College, which includes both House (population-based) and Senate (equal representation) aspects.
Scenario:
You still have a neighborhood with three blocks:
Block A: 50 residents
Block B: 30 residents
Block C: 20 residents
Voting System Breakdown:
House of Representatives Equivalent (Population-Based):
The neighborhood will allocate a certain number of "representative votes" based on population. For simplicity, let’s assign one representative for every 10 residents:
Block A: 5 representatives (because 50 residents)
Block B: 3 representatives (because 30 residents)
Block C: 2 representatives (because 20 residents)
Senate Equivalent (Equal Representation):
Each block, regardless of population, gets 2 "senate votes":
Block A: 2 senate votes
Block B: 2 senate votes
Block C: 2 senate votes
Total Electoral Votes:
Each block’s total electoral votes is the sum of its representative votes and senate votes.
Block A: 5 (House) + 2 (Senate) = 7 electoral votes
Block B: 3 (House) + 2 (Senate) = 5 electoral votes
Block C: 2 (House) + 2 (Senate) = 4 electoral votes
Voting Preferences:
Let’s say the residents’ preferences for a park versus a pool are the same as before:
Block A: 40 residents want a park, 10 want a pool.
Block B: 10 residents want a park, 20 want a pool.
Block C: 5 residents want a park, 15 want a pool.
Block-Level Decisions:
Each block votes internally, and the block’s electoral votes go to the majority preference within that block:
Block A: Majority for the park, so all 7 of Block A’s electoral votes go to the park.
Block B: Majority for the pool, so all 5 of Block B’s electoral votes go to the pool.
Block C: Majority for the pool, so all 4 of Block C’s electoral votes go to the pool.
Tallying the Electoral Votes:
Park: 7 electoral votes (Block A)
Pool: 9 electoral votes (Blocks B and C)
Outcome:
The pool wins with 9 electoral votes versus 7 for the park.
Analysis:
Population Influence (House Votes): Block A, with the largest population, has the most House representatives, giving it the most votes in the House component. However, it still doesn’t dominate the outcome because the Senate component gives smaller blocks more relative influence.
Equal State Representation (Senate Votes): Blocks B and C, despite having fewer people, get the same number of Senate votes as Block A. This equal representation in the Senate component means their collective decision can outweigh the larger Block A’s preference.
Why It’s Important:
This system ensures that both population size (the House component) and equal representation (the Senate component) play a role in the final decision, similar to how the U.S. Electoral College balances the influence of more populous states with less populous ones. Smaller blocks (like smaller states) still have significant influence, ensuring their interests aren’t completely overshadowed by the more populous blocks.
Finding Purpose vs Finding Happiness - Season 3 | Episode 3
If religion in schools could reduce the amount of school shootings would you be for it? What about learning to practice a different religion other than the one you grew up with? Could religion in schools have other benefits past spiritual ones?
Release Date: July 19, 2024
When you find your purpose, it gives you a reason to get up every morning. It may even help you find some happiness along the way. Or have you gotten a taste of happiness and that's what now becomes your purpose, to chase happiness. We discuss this and more, along with some other fun tangents.
DISCLAIMER: Some hard and difficult topics. If you are easily offended, this may not be for you. There are sometimes some hard topics and hard truths, and if you are not ready for it, i suggest maybe to revisit at a later time when you do feel more prepared.
Audio
Video
Welcome to Eclipsed Views where we see what it would take to change our views. We take difficult topics and try to identify what’s blocking your view. We try to unlearn, rewash, and rewire our brains since we don’t seem to be having much luck changing other people’s views. This is for self-help through Kaizen, a Japanese term for improvement in small increments.
DISCLAIMER: Some hard and difficult topics. If you are easily offended, this may not be for you. There are sometimes some hard topics and hard truths, and if you are not ready for it, I suggest maybe to revisit at a later time when you do feel more prepared.
Introduce - Our guests
OPTIONAL introduce skilled areas. Impact of bias on the listeners opinion.
Relation
Friends
Family
Length of time knowing each other.
Years
Months
Weeks
We are citizens, colleagues, professionals, consumers, friends, family-members, teachers, learners, human beings.
Street Epistemology - Socratic Questioning
How did you come to that stance?
Are those reasons legitimate enough to continue to hold that stance?
Conjecture - Forming an opinion based on incomplete information.
How do you know when you have enough evidence to form an opinion?
Biases - How aware are you of your inclinations?
Does that make the right or wrong, or just your own?
Topic - Finding purpose vs Finding Happiness - How do we know if we’re maturing
Scenario - Scale from 1-100.
State your position. At the end we come back and see if the needle moved at all.
Scenario 1
You are running your own business and need to hire staff, you value maturity. One applicant is 25 and has lived on their own since they were 18. The other applicant is also 25 but still lives with their parents.
On a scale of 1-10, who do you think may be a more mature applicant.
Gabriel - 8/8
Vero - 7/7
Sal - 8/8
Scenario 2
Which side do you lean towards more. On a scale of 1-10.
Does having purpose find happiness. 10 Happiness gives you purpose. 5 they are both the same thing/symbiotic
Gabriel - 1/3.5/5
Vero - 3/5
Sal - 3/5
Scenario 3
How similar are animals to humans. Do animals need purpose as much as humans do?
On scale of 1-10, 1 being, “No they do not,” and 10, “Yes they do.”
Gabriel - 6/8/10
Vero - 7/9
Sal - 4/6
Questions to think about
How easily are you able to change your opinions?
How aware are you of your biases when forming opinions?
What is blocking your view? What is keeping you from changing your mind?
