A Look at the Ugly Side of Getting Rich

> In another, Imelda Marcos, the former first lady of the Philippines accused of stealing billions from state coffers, sits in her Manila apartment beneath a gold-framed Picasso

Everytime I read something like this, I feel ill.

What drives human beings to this level of greed and excess? Is there some primitive or primate instinct in all of us? Meanwhile, the beggar children in India don't even have a shirt on their back. True story: When I went back to India for the very 1st time after coming to America, I saw a shirtless kid on a train station begging for food. I opened my suitcase and gave him 1 of my oversized (for him) shirt. The look on his face was priceless.

What drives so many people throughout history over 100s of years to hoard stuff and waste (mostly) ill-acquired wealth?? Is there something in-grained in us, that we can't resist it??

Still searching for an explanation.

Re: A Look at the Ugly Side of Getting Rich

#5

Post by pilom » Tue, Apr 25, 2017, 7:23 PM UTC

> Money doesn't make you happy. It makes you unhappy in a better part of town.

Great quote!

Re: A Look at the Ugly Side of Getting Rich

#6

Post by self-diversity » Tue, Apr 25, 2017, 7:25 PM UTC

justboxing wrote: post #4

> In another, Imelda Marcos, the former first lady of the Philippines accused of stealing billions from state coffers, sits in her Manila apartment beneath a gold-framed Picasso Everytime I read something like this, I feel ill. What drives human beings to this level of greed and excess? Is there some primitive or primate instinct in all of us? Meanwhile, the beggar children in India don't even have a shirt on their b…

What in particular makes you feel ill about this? What is the strong emotion that affects you so upon reading of the wealth of a person you will never meet?

Normally when people say this, their tone makes it evident they are envious, but that's missing here and I'm curious.

Re: A Look at the Ugly Side of Getting Rich

#7

Post by bkeroack » Tue, Apr 25, 2017, 7:26 PM UTC

For those of you in LA, this work is being exhibited at the Annenberg Space for Photography in Century City. Highly recommended.

Re: A Look at the Ugly Side of Getting Rich

#8

Post by iza » Tue, Apr 25, 2017, 7:27 PM UTC

self-diversity wrote: post #6

justboxing wrote: post #4

> In another, Imelda Marcos, the former first lady of the Philippines accused of stealing billions from state coffers, sits in her Manila apartment beneath a gold-framed Picasso Everytime I read something like this, I feel ill. What drives human beings to this level of greed and excess? Is there some primitive or primate instinct in all of us? Meanwhile, the beggar children in India don't even have a shirt on their b…

What in particular makes you feel ill about this? What is the strong emotion that affects you so upon reading of the wealth of a person you will never meet? Normally when people say this, their tone makes it evident they are envious, but that's missing here and I'm curious.

There is no moral justification for accumulating more wealth than you and your family can spend in a lifetime. The only way to amass such an amount is by exploiting the labour of others. The extremely wealthy are a net drain on society.

Re: A Look at the Ugly Side of Getting Rich

#9

Post by vkou » Tue, Apr 25, 2017, 7:27 PM UTC

gmarx wrote: post #2

When Fortune (or was it Forbes) introduced the list of 500 richest Americans (early 1970s?) many people on the list were angry and threatened to sue. Now it's honor, a form a celebrity

That was in the age of the Red Scare. These people had reason to be seriously concerned that they may find themselves on the wrong end of a torch and pitchfork.

Re: A Look at the Ugly Side of Getting Rich

#10

Post by jasonkostempski » Tue, Apr 25, 2017, 7:28 PM UTC

justboxing wrote: post #4

> In another, Imelda Marcos, the former first lady of the Philippines accused of stealing billions from state coffers, sits in her Manila apartment beneath a gold-framed Picasso Everytime I read something like this, I feel ill. What drives human beings to this level of greed and excess? Is there some primitive or primate instinct in all of us? Meanwhile, the beggar children in India don't even have a shirt on their b…

It's not like that money disappears, it just traded hands. Whoever sold the painting might use some of it for charity.