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How To Make Trillions Of Dollars

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Re: How To Make Trillions Of Dollars

#31

Post by tlb »

grecy wrote: post #23
michaelochurch wrote: post #16

It's amazing to me how much expense comes out of fear. For example, one of the reasons why Manhattan real estate is so expensive is that people feel a need to live here in order to keep up their professional status. Not to limit their commutes, but because the really evil law and financial firms stop promoting you as soon as you move off the island. So they spend $5 million on a house, as opposed to, for example, not…

> It's amazing to me how much expense comes out of fear. If you are amazed by that, I suggest you spend a chunk of time outside America. The rest of the world is not run by fear. I spent last week in America, and was amazed by how pervasive that culture is there.

The distinction is unclear to me. What test can I apply when observing someone taking an action to determine whether or not they did it out of fear?

Re: How To Make Trillions Of Dollars

#32

Post by orionblastar »

Only one way to make trillions of dollars, be born into the Rothschild family or marry into them. They are worth trillions and own banks and own a lot of nations' debts. Because they own a lot of debt, they charge huge interest rates on them, and profit from them a lot.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rothschild_family

Re: How To Make Trillions Of Dollars

#33

Post by goodcanadian »

Mz wrote: post #26

Great points. But: How do you make a living while combatting this? I am torn on the question of universal medical coverage, for complex reasons that I imagine no one here wants to hear. I am wondering, though, if anyone has any ideas on how America could implement government funded, universal healthcare, what pitfalls we should look out for, etc.

I am a Canadian who has lived for several years in the U.S., and I now live in Australia. I can say unequivocally that despite its problems, socialized medicine (the Canadian system) is far superior to what I experienced in the U.S.. In Canada, I need health services, I go get it. Period. In the U.S., I have to make sure I go to the right doctor, deal with the insurance company, worry about weather the insurance company will actually pay, pick the right health plan in advance when I have little idea what I will need, et cetera. All of this when I am sick or injured and have bigger things to be worrying about.

I am not absolutely certain that socialized medicine is better than free market medicine, but the U.S. does not have a free market, they have a complex socialized system run by private insurance companies. The easiest thing to do would be to cut out the insurance companies and fund health care on a state or federal level (i.e. make a state run insurance company the single payer). Yes, taxes will go up, but again, in my experience, the percentage of my paycheque that was withheld was exactly the same in Canada and the U.S.. In Canada, it was called taxes while in the U.S., it was called an insurance premium. There was effectively no difference. Now, I know this solution is politically difficult as it puts private companies out of business, but it is far better for the people both individually and collectively to just plain not have to worry about healthcare.

Re: How To Make Trillions Of Dollars

#34

Post by fumar »

Consumerism dominates our culture. I used to think that pertained to the United States the most, but it is a global issue.

I have not had a job since March of 2012. You could say I lost my consumer power. I have made very few purchases outside of utilities, food, and other basics. It has been an eye opening experience to my own habits.

At first, I felt lost and out of touch with society. I could not make purchases like my friends and family. I did not have any new toys to show off or new clothing to wear this year. This past holiday season was the worst. As much as I disliked the holiday spending spree every year, being left out feels strange. The feeling that arises from lack of consumption is strange. It is as if society fixates on purchases and those purchases define your life(create milestone). I have not had any of those recently.

Today, I feel normal. Sometimes, I lust for new gadgets. But, most of the time, I never think about buying "stuff." If I was not in a committed relationship, I would be happy not being an avid consumer.

Maybe, it is just my brain adapting to the circumstances.

*My girlfriend, buys lots of things, she works in retail. I am not completely out of the consumption sphere.

Re: How To Make Trillions Of Dollars

#35

Post by swlkr »

fumar wrote: post #34

Consumerism dominates our culture. I used to think that pertained to the United States the most, but it is a global issue. I have not had a job since March of 2012. You could say I lost my consumer power. I have made very few purchases outside of utilities, food, and other basics. It has been an eye opening experience to my own habits. At first, I felt lost and out of touch with society. I could not make purchases li…

How do you afford your utilities, food and other basics without a job? Freelance?

Re: How To Make Trillions Of Dollars

#36

Post by plastic_tumblr »

michaelochurch wrote: post #16

It's amazing to me how much expense comes out of fear. For example, one of the reasons why Manhattan real estate is so expensive is that people feel a need to live here in order to keep up their professional status. Not to limit their commutes, but because the really evil law and financial firms stop promoting you as soon as you move off the island. So they spend $5 million on a house, as opposed to, for example, not…

Utter nonsense. I used to work for an "evil" financial firm in Manhattan and almost every executive I knew that had a family lived outside the city.

Re: How To Make Trillions Of Dollars

#37

Post by fumar »

swlkr wrote: post #35
fumar wrote: post #34

Consumerism dominates our culture. I used to think that pertained to the United States the most, but it is a global issue. I have not had a job since March of 2012. You could say I lost my consumer power. I have made very few purchases outside of utilities, food, and other basics. It has been an eye opening experience to my own habits. At first, I felt lost and out of touch with society. I could not make purchases li…

How do you afford your utilities, food and other basics without a job? Freelance?

Two big events happened before I left my job. My car was taken from me, insurance labeled it a total loss. I received money from that. I was also hit by a car while riding my bike. This also provided me with some money. This money, has run out at this point.

I have done some freelancing for people, graphic design. I also help my girlfriend run her dog treat business. Arrfscarf.com

But most importantly, now that I have no income, she has been a huge help.

Even, when I go back to having spending power. Being jobless for over 8 months has given me a different perspective on consumption.

Re: How To Make Trillions Of Dollars

#39

Post by jacques_chester »

This is a classic example of the animism fallacy.

Lightning flash, terrifying thundercrack. The Invisible Skygod is mad!

All bunkum, of course. But it fits how humans usually think about the world: that every event has agency, has some directing cause which involves intelligence.

The idea that the world we see emerged from a massive, incomprehensible complex system? Bah. Can't be. I see the lightning and hear the thundercrack.

Must be the invisible trillionaires.

Incidentally, the only thing in this article that resembles classic marketing is the title. Straight out of the copywriting handbook.

Re: How To Make Trillions Of Dollars

#40

Post by rndmize »

Happiness, health and stability are not core objectives of our society. The production of wealth, as measured by GDP, or by the stock markets, or consumer spending, is our yardstick of success.

I hope that in the remainder of the century we can can transition to better forms of society where the health and happiness of the general population is more important than the efficiency of our economic structures.

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