I like this and I thought you might too. It’s from an AIGA Talk in London. I will post them one at a time.

IF YOU HAVE A CHOICE NEVER HAVE A JOB. 

One night I was sitting in my car outside Columbia University where my wife Shirley 

was studying Anthropology. While I was waiting I was listening to the radio and heard 

an interviewer ask ‘Now that you have reached 75 have you any advice for our 

audience about how to prepare for your old age?’ An irritated voice said ‘Why is 

everyone asking me about old age these days?’ I recognised the voice as John Cage. 

I am sure that many of you know who he was – the composer and philosopher who 

influenced people like Jasper Johns and Merce Cunningham as well as the music 

world in general. I knew him slightly and admired his contribution to our times. ‘You 

know, I do know how to prepare for old age’ he said. ‘Never have a job, because if 

you have a job someday someone will take it away from you and then you will be 

unprepared for your old age. For me, it has always been the same every since the 

age of 12. I wake up in the morning and I try to figure out how am I going to put 

bread on the table today? It is the same at 75, I wake up every morning and I think 

how am I going to put bread on the table today? I am exceedingly well prepared for 

my old age’ he said.