By using this site, you agree to our Privacy Policy and our Terms of Use. Close
Kasz216 on 02 September 2012
Edit Thread
Player2 said:
Kasz216 said:
bazmeistergen said:
Kasz216 said:
 

Excpet...wealth isn't finite.  Where did you get such an idea?   Wealth is not, a zero sum game.

When someone gets richer, someone else does not need to get poorer.

 

In such a society as you talk about above.   Nobody would be "rich" in terms of having more money then somebody else... yet just about everybody would be rich, compaired to people in our society.

Material wealth on this planet is finite. Obvious truth based on finite resources. Not everyone can have a car, for example. We will run out of plastic, oil, gold and so on. So, yes, wealth is finite.

 

Not even getting into the problems with that theory. Not all wealth is matieral... I mean, your on a computer right now... on a website, about videogames.   Videogames are a form of wealth... and they're digital.

Furthermore, there are tons of mateirals that were worthless hundreds of years ago, that are worth tons now.  As new products get made, "finite" products get more valuable.  Not everybody can be flying around in airplanes made out of pure gold, however people can continue to live better and better lives through investment, hardwork and increasing the value of things.

Working for "inner joy" however, that actually IS something that is finite and largely impossible.

Everyone wants to be a poet, writer, teacher or something like that.

No one wants to be a garbage man.  Even people who enjoy it, do so because it's easy and they get paid.  There isn't anyone who's going to be a garbage man on their free time as a hobby. 

The problem isn't the finiteness of wealth. The question is if they are going to let us put our hands on some.

30 years ago one member of a family with an average job (the father), was able to earn enough money for a house, a car, 2-3 kids. Now both parents have a job. With 2x income we should be living like kings, with two houses and driving BMW's, right?..... but it didn't happen. In fact, it's the opposite.

Possible answers:

a) This happened for no reason at all.

b) Some people did it on purpose to get even richer.

I'd say the problem is more C

C)  Your perception is off.   Both parents having jobs isn't the norm... and usually when both parents do work, the second parent doesn't have a full time job.  Additionally most people actually do own their

Furthermore, your discounting the MANY number of advancements in stuff and increased wealth that didn't exist 30 years ago that people have now... and only comparing things that existed then.

30 years ago you had one TV.    Now a days most people have muliple TVs,  Cellphones, Computers, videogames...  people just own WAY more stuff now a days then they did back then.   People now a days do live like kings compaired to 30 years ago. 

The problem is... a lot of stuff that 30 years ago would be seen as amazing luxuaries, people take for granted.  Heck, 30 years ago most people didn't have air conditioning.  Heck I remember when I was young having central air was a status symbol... and I'm 30.

It's all in the little stuff people buy a LOT more little stuff now a days... and for a lot of people, the little stuff is seen as essential.

 

Of course then again that is America.  You live in Spain, so your mileage may very. 

Spain being a much more mismanaged country then the USA.

Though if your not like 40 or older, i'd consider asking your parents... "How much more stuff do people own now compaired to back then."