Live data from Hacker News

Is getting rich worth it?

quora.com

111–120 of 145 posts

Re: Is getting rich worth it?

#111
post #106

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I am curious what your big goal is and why you think it requires "wealth" to accomplish it. You can email me if you don't want to state it publicly (my gmail is talithamichele).

Oh, it is very political and related to very long term thinking, if I disclose here the result will be a crazy flamewar (because it is a sensitive topic, that I know lots of people support, and lots of people think it is horribly wrong). So, it is better not :)

Does it happen to involve an island shaped like a skull or a really really really large orbital mirror?

If so, are you hiring?

Re: Is getting rich worth it?

#112
post #94

> First, one of the only real things being rich gives you is that you don't have to worry about money as much anymore. I disagree with this. One thing being rich gives you is the ability to make things happen. Being a benefactor of a cause or artistic organization or an investor in a startup means that you can help set into motion meaningful projects that you believe in that would not otherwise have been possible. I'…

> One thing being rich gives you is the ability to make things happen. Money does not have exclusivity on this ability. I'm a member of the Friends of Northampton Castle[1], a group of people interested in the heritage of my home town. Time is far far more important than money to groups like this. We've had an architect put together a 3D reconstruction in his spare time (which I scripted and voiced in my spare time).…

That's very cool. I certainly wasn't meaning to say that without money you can't make things happen. Just that money can be a very useful way of helping to make things happen.

Re: Is getting rich worth it?

#113
post #8

I want to get rich. But I don't want to do it because I want stuff. I don't want a Audi, or a Maserati, or a fancy home, or the newest gadget. I have a objective, a plan, for me, and for future generations, and I know how much it will cost, and doing it will require me to be rich. And I know how much problems it will attract, how much relationships it will wreck, and how much danger it will bring to my life. But I do…

>and for future generations

One of he worst things you can do for your kids is give them a reason not to work.

Re: Is getting rich worth it?

#114
Is eating healthier, living in a better environment, having access to better health services etc worth it? In the capitalist system you can't have them without a non trivial amount of money.

Re: Is getting rich worth it?

#115
post #8

I want to get rich. But I don't want to do it because I want stuff. I don't want a Audi, or a Maserati, or a fancy home, or the newest gadget. I have a objective, a plan, for me, and for future generations, and I know how much it will cost, and doing it will require me to be rich. And I know how much problems it will attract, how much relationships it will wreck, and how much danger it will bring to my life. But I do…

>and for future generations One of he worst things you can do for your kids is give them a reason not to work.

Believe me, they will have lots of work.

My project is not get rich and dump money on the kids. Hell no.

Obviously, I expect that two or three generations down, if thinks work well, my family will have kids being born already rich, I hope that those kids won't undo that I will try to do.

Re: Is getting rich worth it?

#116
post #94

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> One thing being rich gives you is the ability to make things happen. Money does not have exclusivity on this ability. I'm a member of the Friends of Northampton Castle[1], a group of people interested in the heritage of my home town. Time is far far more important than money to groups like this. We've had an architect put together a 3D reconstruction in his spare time (which I scripted and voiced in my spare time).…

That's very cool. I certainly wasn't meaning to say that without money you can't make things happen. Just that money can be a very useful way of helping to make things happen.

I'm sure you didn't mean it like that but I felt that it could be taken to mean that money is the best way of making things happen so I wanted to provide a counter-example.

Cheers!

Re: Is getting rich worth it?

#117
post #91

The next thing you need to understand about money is this: all of the things you picture buying, they are only worthwhile to you because you cannot afford them (or have to work really hard to acquire them). That was one of the biggest surprises for me. I never realized the degree to which not being able to afford certain things was what was making me want them. That childhood excitement of saving up your money to buy…

Classic Scarcity Principle. What I find interesting when I see one of those rich guys driving a 20 year old car I think to myself, "Wow, that guy is awesome. He is rich but he just doesn't care about money." After this post I realize, he is probably just like most of us, but once he had the money, he no longer desired most of the things out there we just have no need for.

Re: Is getting rich worth it?

#118
This title is slightly misleading." Most of the downsides he has about being rich revolve around OTHERS KNOWING THAT HE IS RICH, and are not a product of him actually being rich.

The post should be titled,"Why I Don't Want Anyone To Know When I Strike It Rich, Especially My Relatives."

Re: Is getting rich worth it?

#120
post #106

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I am curious what your big goal is and why you think it requires "wealth" to accomplish it. You can email me if you don't want to state it publicly (my gmail is talithamichele).

Oh, it is very political and related to very long term thinking, if I disclose here the result will be a crazy flamewar (because it is a sensitive topic, that I know lots of people support, and lots of people think it is horribly wrong). So, it is better not :)

If it is politically sensitive, money may be the worst way to pursue it. If you cannot get grassroots support, probably better to leave well enough alone. But less ego gratifying, certainly. Feeding your ego is usually a really terrible reason to do something "political". Given your response, I would encourage you to spend some time wondering what your real goal and motive is.
Post reply on HN