It's not just the money, the yachts, private jets and islands, as wonderful though they are (to some): it's the emotional/intellectual associations that translate into status. That started with Freud and his nephew Bernays used it as a product selling strategy. It's all about what ownership says about you, not the thing-in-itself. What these idiots can't figure out is that the race to own everything makes you a slave to others' opinions and crap standards. It's also a perversion of natural instincts: everything is more enjoyable when others are enjoying them with you. Like who prefers to eat a special meal alone? Can you really enjoy yourself without suspending, for a time at least, the terrible suffering so many are forced to endure? Hoarding, especially to unlimited degree, is usually considered a mental illness. But the world is ordered to encourage this personality type to possess far in excess of anything reasonable. It's a crap system. It must and will stop, one way or another: either rationally or gone berserkers.
The elitest wealth aggregators are unable to understand, much less worry about the suffering of others. They are devoid of empathy and sympathy. Having said that, they have developed a real cover for themselves by purporting to care for Humans/Animals/Earth/Climate/etc. as they creatively hide their larceny and murderous intent behind their many Foundations, NGOs and governments. It is a massive problem. It is a cancer that is about to kill the host. The sooner this infestation is identified and excised from Humankind, the better.
Unfortunately, they are often cited as models of humanity, successful human beings and the engine that keeps us all afloat. Had Nazism won the war we likely would be singing songs of praise to Hitler and citing his "achievements". But I like to think that is an impossibility - the universe kicks in at some point and says, "No". But we should take the matter into our own hands before it goes that far.
The ones holding the keys of power and wealth had many of us bamboozled for a century or so. The veil is being lifted off our eyes more each day; plus they seem tired of dissembling any longer, and are just flat out telling and showing us what they really think of we plebes. They want a feudal system again, and are doing all they can to shove the middle class back down.
It’s all untenable and unsustainable, but it’s hard to say what and when the tipping point will be.
I pray it arrives soon. The tension as the string keeps being stretched to its breaking point is difficult. Not that when it snaps will be a cake walk.
„By means of ever more effective methods of mind-manipulation, the democracies will change their nature; the quaint old forms— elections, parliaments, Supreme Courts and all the rest—will remain. The underlying substance will be a new kind of non-violent totalitarianism. All the traditional names, all the hallowed slogans will remain exactly what they were in the good old days. Democracy and freedom will be the theme of every broadcast and editorial—but democracy and freedom in a strictly Pickwickian sense. Meanwhile the ruling oligarchy and its highly trained elite of soldiers, policemen, thought-manufacturers and mind-manipulators will quietly run the show as they see fit.“ — Aldous Huxley, book Brave New World Revisited Source: Brave New World Revisited (1958), Chapter 3, p. 25
The “It costs them everything, and gives them nothing,” quote for hoarders is just as applicable to the super-wealthy. I know some. Their numbers are in my phone. To a person, each and every one, is just as miserable as the hoarder. Money “gives them nothing.”
I think you are right, some are caught in a pattern that does not give them anything, like hoarders. But there are other and more suitable ways of describing this phenomenon. I believe it was Montesquieu who described some people as “natural aggressors”. All humans do seek wealth, power, or status, but the “natural aggressors” desire it more than others. If I recall correctly, he believed that society needed protections against these people.
A natural aggressor seeks wealth, power, or status to sate a lust for it, much like the hoarders. But where the hoarder acts irrational, the natural aggressor is perfectly rational in his behaviour: we live in a society where wealth, power and status are celebrated. To hoard old newspapers is not celebrated. To hoard money way above what you or your children ever will be able to spend, is celebrated. To hoard power, way beyond your limitations as a “ruler” is celebrated. To gain super-celebrity status is celebrated. From we are old enough to watch TV, understand what “shopping” is, listen in to conversations about the rich, powerful and renown, our souls are filled with the idea that wealth, power, and status is something we should strive to acquire. Thus, the natural aggressors behave in a rational way. “Rationality” is not the same as “morality”. Rationality does not inform us of right and wrong, but rather what is logical. Neither is “rational behaviour” the same as “informed behaviour”, because when you behave rational you are using the knowledge you have at that time.
That is why I agree to both Caitlin and you: They are not hoarders, because they behave rationally, but their riches, power of fame bring them little joy, but instead of changing their ways, they strive harder to hoard more, in the belief that “more of the same” will give me satisfaction. They need some sort of personal redemption, but that is not my concern.
My concern is, how do we shape our society so that we do not raise our children in the faith that wealth, power, and status is the goal in life? Clearly, we need to look for something beyond the strictly materialistic ideology of the modern, western culture.
Interesting explanation, and surely part of the pattern. "Rational" though? I don't know. My hunch is that in a billionaire's brain, the pattern that's playing out is addiction. In this scenario, the dopamine rush is not from HAVING, but from the moment of GETTING more, and that moment has to be repeated over and over, with increasing intensity needed to get the high. Junkies will steal from their mother to get a fix. Billionaires steal from their Mother Earth
As for ‘Drastic change in the not-too-distant future’…environmental collapse or nuclear winter, or they’ll jab and poison everyone to death (see excess mortality trend). A reckoning is due.
Excellent point. Gold hidden under a dragon has no power. It's trade in slaves that matters. Power is measured in 100 million lives over which the banker-king has control.
Is this a reference to Richard III? He was discovered, apparently, not to have been such a monster after all. But that doesn't matter: it's the idea and type that seems to reign eternal, or much longer than should have.
taxation is the most pernicious kind of theft, and it is social engineering bc gov does not need that money. taxation is anti-freedom. only free markets foster freedom.
the state is violence and taxation is one of its most powerful tools.
A very thoughtful article, Thank you for the effort. I am reminded of Huey Long's campaign to "Share our wealth" (implication is that the wealth belongs to all of us) and his book Every Man a King that put forth an argument not unlike what you make here. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Every_Man_a_King_(autobiography)
Good article. The King Midas story illustrates this. The hoarding self-appointed elites remind of humans stuck at the infantile level. Big, overgrown, ugly babies screaming “me, me, me”. Their heed for an endless supply of money, power, resources demonstrates how vastly empty and insecure they are inside.
Brilliant, CJ. These people actually are at minimum socipathic narcissists - many at the very top are overt psychopaths. They do not suffer from some minor neurosis, for sure.
"Wealth is a zero-sum game". You really need to take an economics class. A very basic one. For first year undergraduate students that will not even major in economics. You can also try basic logic, but then the path requires you to think, so it may take a bit longer.
Stop reading the delusion of a drunk imbecile like marx and believing that it is true. Use some critical thinking at least.
It's not just the money, the yachts, private jets and islands, as wonderful though they are (to some): it's the emotional/intellectual associations that translate into status. That started with Freud and his nephew Bernays used it as a product selling strategy. It's all about what ownership says about you, not the thing-in-itself. What these idiots can't figure out is that the race to own everything makes you a slave to others' opinions and crap standards. It's also a perversion of natural instincts: everything is more enjoyable when others are enjoying them with you. Like who prefers to eat a special meal alone? Can you really enjoy yourself without suspending, for a time at least, the terrible suffering so many are forced to endure? Hoarding, especially to unlimited degree, is usually considered a mental illness. But the world is ordered to encourage this personality type to possess far in excess of anything reasonable. It's a crap system. It must and will stop, one way or another: either rationally or gone berserkers.
The elitest wealth aggregators are unable to understand, much less worry about the suffering of others. They are devoid of empathy and sympathy. Having said that, they have developed a real cover for themselves by purporting to care for Humans/Animals/Earth/Climate/etc. as they creatively hide their larceny and murderous intent behind their many Foundations, NGOs and governments. It is a massive problem. It is a cancer that is about to kill the host. The sooner this infestation is identified and excised from Humankind, the better.
Unfortunately, they are often cited as models of humanity, successful human beings and the engine that keeps us all afloat. Had Nazism won the war we likely would be singing songs of praise to Hitler and citing his "achievements". But I like to think that is an impossibility - the universe kicks in at some point and says, "No". But we should take the matter into our own hands before it goes that far.
Yes. We just need to say "No" to the oppressors and step away from them.
The ones holding the keys of power and wealth had many of us bamboozled for a century or so. The veil is being lifted off our eyes more each day; plus they seem tired of dissembling any longer, and are just flat out telling and showing us what they really think of we plebes. They want a feudal system again, and are doing all they can to shove the middle class back down.
It’s all untenable and unsustainable, but it’s hard to say what and when the tipping point will be.
I pray it arrives soon. The tension as the string keeps being stretched to its breaking point is difficult. Not that when it snaps will be a cake walk.
Thanks for another great article!
I think we need to get deeply focused on the actual future we want. Caitlin is headed the right way.
I humbly add a reminder, there is no way to peace, peace is the way.
„By means of ever more effective methods of mind-manipulation, the democracies will change their nature; the quaint old forms— elections, parliaments, Supreme Courts and all the rest—will remain. The underlying substance will be a new kind of non-violent totalitarianism. All the traditional names, all the hallowed slogans will remain exactly what they were in the good old days. Democracy and freedom will be the theme of every broadcast and editorial—but democracy and freedom in a strictly Pickwickian sense. Meanwhile the ruling oligarchy and its highly trained elite of soldiers, policemen, thought-manufacturers and mind-manipulators will quietly run the show as they see fit.“ — Aldous Huxley, book Brave New World Revisited Source: Brave New World Revisited (1958), Chapter 3, p. 25
Source: https://quotepark.com/quotes/1744774-aldous-huxley-by-means-of-ever-more-effective-methods-of-mind-ma/
The “It costs them everything, and gives them nothing,” quote for hoarders is just as applicable to the super-wealthy. I know some. Their numbers are in my phone. To a person, each and every one, is just as miserable as the hoarder. Money “gives them nothing.”
I think you are right, some are caught in a pattern that does not give them anything, like hoarders. But there are other and more suitable ways of describing this phenomenon. I believe it was Montesquieu who described some people as “natural aggressors”. All humans do seek wealth, power, or status, but the “natural aggressors” desire it more than others. If I recall correctly, he believed that society needed protections against these people.
A natural aggressor seeks wealth, power, or status to sate a lust for it, much like the hoarders. But where the hoarder acts irrational, the natural aggressor is perfectly rational in his behaviour: we live in a society where wealth, power and status are celebrated. To hoard old newspapers is not celebrated. To hoard money way above what you or your children ever will be able to spend, is celebrated. To hoard power, way beyond your limitations as a “ruler” is celebrated. To gain super-celebrity status is celebrated. From we are old enough to watch TV, understand what “shopping” is, listen in to conversations about the rich, powerful and renown, our souls are filled with the idea that wealth, power, and status is something we should strive to acquire. Thus, the natural aggressors behave in a rational way. “Rationality” is not the same as “morality”. Rationality does not inform us of right and wrong, but rather what is logical. Neither is “rational behaviour” the same as “informed behaviour”, because when you behave rational you are using the knowledge you have at that time.
That is why I agree to both Caitlin and you: They are not hoarders, because they behave rationally, but their riches, power of fame bring them little joy, but instead of changing their ways, they strive harder to hoard more, in the belief that “more of the same” will give me satisfaction. They need some sort of personal redemption, but that is not my concern.
My concern is, how do we shape our society so that we do not raise our children in the faith that wealth, power, and status is the goal in life? Clearly, we need to look for something beyond the strictly materialistic ideology of the modern, western culture.
Excellent.
I dunno, the seemingly happiest people I know are high functioning sociopaths.
Interesting explanation, and surely part of the pattern. "Rational" though? I don't know. My hunch is that in a billionaire's brain, the pattern that's playing out is addiction. In this scenario, the dopamine rush is not from HAVING, but from the moment of GETTING more, and that moment has to be repeated over and over, with increasing intensity needed to get the high. Junkies will steal from their mother to get a fix. Billionaires steal from their Mother Earth
Spot on with this post!
As for ‘Drastic change in the not-too-distant future’…environmental collapse or nuclear winter, or they’ll jab and poison everyone to death (see excess mortality trend). A reckoning is due.
Excellent point. Gold hidden under a dragon has no power. It's trade in slaves that matters. Power is measured in 100 million lives over which the banker-king has control.
Richard had a withered arm and a crown of pure deceit
When Richard cocked his crooked jaw, heads rolled at his feet
Richard pried and Richard lied, decisive was his sting
His dandy foes were righteous men
But Richard was the king.
Is this a reference to Richard III? He was discovered, apparently, not to have been such a monster after all. But that doesn't matter: it's the idea and type that seems to reign eternal, or much longer than should have.
Brava, it is indeed; and it is, as you say a reference to the genre.
Great!
I want to recommend Huey Long's biography "Every man a King" in which he articulates such a perspective. He was assasinated two years later.
In a similar manner, «fact checking» isn't about hoarding knowledge, it's about making sure hoi polloi stay as ignorant as possible.
The only real wealth I'm aware of comes from nature (WW4 has been long underway, and we're winning, with Nature losing big time.)
taxation is the most pernicious kind of theft, and it is social engineering bc gov does not need that money. taxation is anti-freedom. only free markets foster freedom.
the state is violence and taxation is one of its most powerful tools.
educate yourself:
https://2ndsmartestguyintheworld.substack.com/p/original-social-engineering-sin
A very thoughtful article, Thank you for the effort. I am reminded of Huey Long's campaign to "Share our wealth" (implication is that the wealth belongs to all of us) and his book Every Man a King that put forth an argument not unlike what you make here. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Every_Man_a_King_(autobiography)
Good article. The King Midas story illustrates this. The hoarding self-appointed elites remind of humans stuck at the infantile level. Big, overgrown, ugly babies screaming “me, me, me”. Their heed for an endless supply of money, power, resources demonstrates how vastly empty and insecure they are inside.
Brilliant, CJ. These people actually are at minimum socipathic narcissists - many at the very top are overt psychopaths. They do not suffer from some minor neurosis, for sure.
I am not a medical doctor, much less a bone doc, but I can tell when a human is missing a leg.
I also am not a headshrinker, but the sociopathy exhibited by the leadership class is equally obvious.
Absolutely! It doesn't take a white coat to see this!
You miss something Important.
We are socialized now to pray to God of money.
Mature folks know better , but not no young ones.
Cats in the cradle....
"Wealth is a zero-sum game". You really need to take an economics class. A very basic one. For first year undergraduate students that will not even major in economics. You can also try basic logic, but then the path requires you to think, so it may take a bit longer.
Stop reading the delusion of a drunk imbecile like marx and believing that it is true. Use some critical thinking at least.