10 replies to this topic

[Contemplation_Planet]

Hello,

 

Happy Holidays everyone. My name is Karl. I am an animator/illustrator living in Cape Town, originally from the US. I love everything to do with space, art, and psychology. Space is a general interest I have had since I was a child. I spend at least an hour reading about space and astronomy everyday, ever since I watched Contact.

 

I studied psychology and art in college. I had a choice to do a master's in experimental/statistical psychology, but I ended up choosing to follow less academic design-based path.

 

I joined this forum because I like the idea of a place where people can talk about far out, futuristic ideas without people getting bored. I prefer forums to social media, because people in forums seem to talk about things in greater depth. Its like being in a Roman forum with philosophers, as opposed to being in a busy town square.

 

Forgive me if my avatar is blank- the picture system doesn't seem to load it at the moment. 

 

I recently started a little blog called contemplationplanet.com as an outlet for the spacey and psychological things I think about all day. Basically, I want to combine space with a people and healing vibe, rather than only a technical, scientific point of view (without being too conspiracy theory or New Agey either). I'm giving it a 90s vibe, because the 90s appeal to me for some reason. (Don't worry, I will not spam post any articles here. I am here just for warming up my creative energy and replying to interesting conversations).

 

Anyway, I love this site and the sense of curiosity about the future and our potential. Lots of people who are willing to look at the future and what lies ahead, rather than just getting stuck in the past. Look forward to participating in many interesting discussions. 

 

[caltrek]

Welcome.  I look forward to hearing more from you.  A very interesting introduction.

[Frizz]

Welcome x i love die antwoord! X

[BasilBerylium]

Hi.

[Jakob]

Welcome.

[As We Rise]

Saint Elon was from South Africa too.

[CoolGuy23]

Hello!

 

Just out of curiosity, as another American who is considering South Africa as a future career destination, do you know anything about the amount of work in investment banking in Johannesburg? And any tips on the culture of South Africa as opposed to the USA?

[Unity]

Great intro. Welcome

[Contemplation_Planet]

Hello!

 

Just out of curiosity, as another American who is considering South Africa as a future career destination, do you know anything about the amount of work in investment banking in Johannesburg? And any tips on the culture of South Africa as opposed to the USA?

 

I'm no expert in investment banking. But Johannesburg is the big economic and business hub, while I get the sense Cape Town is more entrepreneurial and innovative.  I'm no expert on South Africa either because I wasn't fully brought up here. But what I do know is that if you have dollars and spend Rand, some things are more affordable (at least in terms of housing, but not cars- for example, there are many amazing country houses in Cape Town that would cost a ton more if they were in the US).

 

South African culture is more walled off than in the USA. More people have walls around their homes because of the high crime rate. There are different cultural vibes based on where you live. Johannesburg is more fast paced than the rest of the country. I lived there for a while and I was happy, but my perspective was a child's perspective so I'm not sure how things have changed.

 

Cape Town is more laid back and country. Compared to the US there are fewer big chain businesses (ex. there is Woolworths). But much of it has a nice local vibe. Things to do include safari, going to beaches (Durban is warm- Cape Town is cold water), hiking in the mountains, staying at country farms, and visiting historical monuments.

If you have children, there are some good American International schools in both Cape Town and Johanessburg. People (at least in Cape Town) tend to be a bit hard to get to know. It takes quite a while to make close friends- may be easier to start out with fellow Americans, expats, or foreigners.

The government is quite corrupt, but things might get a little better the next election.

 

Overall, I think the beautiful landscapes and places you can stay are the best reason to move to South Africa.

[Time_Traveller]

Welcome to FT.

[wjfox]

Nice intro. Welcome to the forum.