I think we need to work really hard to get people to understand that being a billionaire is not a sign of success. In fact, in personal terms, it may be a sign of failure. Check out some of the people who are on the epstein list. Many have been touted as good, as humanitarians etc. But look where they have landed. Right on this list. And somehow, things get twisted around so that those people are still good people. It is crazy. We need to get rid of that crazy thinking so that people can develop some real values. And maybe even see some truth. I am presently reading "Fire Weather". In that book he discusses how people were talking about climate change and the earth heating up in the late 1800's. By about 1930, it was clear that trouble was coming. But still, big cars, wealth from oil, having lots of money and lots of stuff trumped saving the earth and all of our lives.
I agree with you, Susan, and have a bit of experience with the mindset having dated someone from an extremely rich family. It didn't last long.
I'm not sure how representative he was, but what a case! An alcoholic, no problem solving skills, and the things that went on in his family were so sick. Like being told "I could kill you if I wanted and get away with it" as a kid by a parent.
And appearances were everything! Anyways, I don't assume that the very rich are people to look up to. Usually the wealth is inherited, so it's not like they're self made. Not that that necessarily makes a difference.
I don't think BEING rich is the problem, I think that seeing being rich as successful is the problem. Lots of people who are not rich are alcoholics and are violent to their children and others. WANTING to be rich affects many many people. Many people admire all the stuff that comes with money. That is the problem. The rich people themselves are just as bad or good as anyone else to start with. Then they do what they do, like sell ammunition, support governments who commit genocide etc so that they will STAY rich. And too much of the rest of the world who are not millionaires or billionaires actually admire those who are rich. For instance many people actually believe that Bill Gates is a great humanitarian/philanthropist. (It was difficult not to choke when typing that)
I understand what you mean, Susan. That admiration really fuels a lot of their perceived legitimacy. The point I was trying to make was that often their wealth turns them into not very nice people, at least some of them. And not particularly worthy of all that admiration.
I have to add a comment about the epstein list link. I checked out the person who came up with that list and it turns out that he is a holocaust denier. For me, that puts his entire thinking in doubt. Including the list he compiled.
"We can limit interactions with toxic people. We can boycott. We can unplug from the system."
If we do just these three things, we'll all become healthier and happier. Life is too short to spend our time surrounded by negative people and things. Follow your values and use your critical thinking skills!
I think we need to work really hard to get people to understand that being a billionaire is not a sign of success. In fact, in personal terms, it may be a sign of failure. Check out some of the people who are on the epstein list. Many have been touted as good, as humanitarians etc. But look where they have landed. Right on this list. And somehow, things get twisted around so that those people are still good people. It is crazy. We need to get rid of that crazy thinking so that people can develop some real values. And maybe even see some truth. I am presently reading "Fire Weather". In that book he discusses how people were talking about climate change and the earth heating up in the late 1800's. By about 1930, it was clear that trouble was coming. But still, big cars, wealth from oil, having lots of money and lots of stuff trumped saving the earth and all of our lives.
https://sonar21.com/the-epstein-client-list-why-is-trump-breaking-his-promise-to-publish/
I agree with you, Susan, and have a bit of experience with the mindset having dated someone from an extremely rich family. It didn't last long.
I'm not sure how representative he was, but what a case! An alcoholic, no problem solving skills, and the things that went on in his family were so sick. Like being told "I could kill you if I wanted and get away with it" as a kid by a parent.
And appearances were everything! Anyways, I don't assume that the very rich are people to look up to. Usually the wealth is inherited, so it's not like they're self made. Not that that necessarily makes a difference.
I don't think BEING rich is the problem, I think that seeing being rich as successful is the problem. Lots of people who are not rich are alcoholics and are violent to their children and others. WANTING to be rich affects many many people. Many people admire all the stuff that comes with money. That is the problem. The rich people themselves are just as bad or good as anyone else to start with. Then they do what they do, like sell ammunition, support governments who commit genocide etc so that they will STAY rich. And too much of the rest of the world who are not millionaires or billionaires actually admire those who are rich. For instance many people actually believe that Bill Gates is a great humanitarian/philanthropist. (It was difficult not to choke when typing that)
I understand what you mean, Susan. That admiration really fuels a lot of their perceived legitimacy. The point I was trying to make was that often their wealth turns them into not very nice people, at least some of them. And not particularly worthy of all that admiration.
I have to add a comment about the epstein list link. I checked out the person who came up with that list and it turns out that he is a holocaust denier. For me, that puts his entire thinking in doubt. Including the list he compiled.
I've been ignoring it. The whole thing is disgusting, and lots of other people are paying attention. Holocaust denier? Sick.
"We can limit interactions with toxic people. We can boycott. We can unplug from the system."
If we do just these three things, we'll all become healthier and happier. Life is too short to spend our time surrounded by negative people and things. Follow your values and use your critical thinking skills!
And they can be hard things to do. I've just recommitted myself to the first point.
Thanks for stacking @Hal Gill, enjoyed this one!
A pleasure! Being thanked is such an occasion for joy.