Discussion Topic |
|
This thread has been locked |
madbolter1
Big Wall climber
Denver, CO
|
|
How do the machines know what chicken tastes like?
|
|
madbolter1
Big Wall climber
Denver, CO
|
|
LOL... good one.
|
|
Banquo
climber
Amerricka
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - May 1, 2015 - 02:42pm PT
|
Had to go to Monterey and do some work but I'm back.
Reilly - Troll? perhaps I am. I simply came across the quote a few days ago and it got me to thinking about wealth. I don't see the quote as a truth but as fertilizer for thought. I am truly curious what people think because the thoughts of other people help me organize my own chaotic thoughts. I won't profess to know what wealth or poverty are except that it seems to me there has to be one to have the other since it is about contrast. I don't know anything about Robespierre but I will read up as it may be interesting. I did think about the french revolution in connection to the power of money wealth today. I don't think we the people have the military capability to rise up and change our government violently as the French did. I don't think the patriot culture has the firepower to combat Abrams tanks, drones and smart bombs. Even Saddam Hussein, who had plenty of money and the 4th largest army, didn't stand a chance.
Madbolter sure seems to think money and economics are important but I think he is right that money is an abstraction. Money only matters if you think it does. Some people make lots of money simply because it is an enjoyable sport to them and they are good at it. Having lots of money doesn't make a person greedy, evil or even wealthy.
|
|
Studly
Trad climber
WA
|
|
A man's true wealth is the good he does in the world. Beauty is eternity gazing at itself in a mirror. But you are eternity and you are the mirror.
Kahlil Gibran
|
|
Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
|
|
Banqi, I trust you gathered I only meant that in a good-natured way. ;-)
OK, I'm back to re-sorting my library. Just put Bertrand Russell next to
PD Ouspensky, who is next to Nietszche, so you can see I'm not above a little
philosophizing, as long as it is in large print.
Now, all those damn climbing books is a real problem.
|
|
madbolter1
Big Wall climber
Denver, CO
|
|
Even Saddam Hussein, who had plenty of money and the 4th largest army, didn't stand a chance.
The "can't do it" perspective depends upon the belief that the majority of the military would actually fire upon a significant subset of Americans on American soil. I'm skeptical.
Of course, a lot of people would have to risk dying to find out. ;-)
|
|
Ksolem
Trad climber
Monrovia, California
|
|
A man's true wealth is the good he does in the world.
Rich is as rich does. A wealthy person who does nothing charitable is less of a person than one of lesser means who does good things.
By "charitable" I do not necessarily just mean giving money, although that is the most expedient way for wealthy people to do good. One could commit their time and get their hands dirty. Jimmy Carter comes to mind. And George Bush, who went to Africa and did more to fight aids than any American leader.
I know people who cannot give money. My neighbor is a perfect example. He gives his time working with young people who need direction in our community. Many of these young people have no father in the house.
For myself I do what I can to help LAWT.
|
|
Banquo
climber
Amerricka
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - May 1, 2015 - 05:01pm PT
|
Reilly, taken in the best nature. Nearly everybody who starts a thread is to some degree trolling.
Some people seek material wealth believing that on some level it will make them happier. The easiest way to feel happy that I know of is to do something for, or simply be nice to, somebody for no reason. Seems to work better than you would expect. If happiness is a type of wealth, this kind is free. A good hug can increase the gross global wealth of happiness.
Hugging strangers probably doesn't work so well so stick to close friends and family.
Another free pleasure is simply getting rid of stuff. I have boxes and closets full of stuff I don't need. Hauling off a load of stuff from around the house and garage always makes me feel better. Perhaps I am wealthier the less stuff I have.
|
|
WBraun
climber
|
|
Wealth is eating out of the jar
Poverty is licking the outside of the jar .....
|
|
Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
|
|
Hugging strangers probably doesn't work so well
Well, was in Canuckistan last few weeks. Called up a small inn and asked if
they had a room available. The reply was quintessential small town Canuckian:
"Are you nice people?"
HaHaHaHaHa! I knew I'd found the right place.
|
|
tolman_paul
Trad climber
Anchorage, AK
|
|
I agree with the first sentence of the quote The poverty of our century is unlike that of any other when applied to the "developed" world. But to me the poverty is not something imposed by the rich nor is it a poverty of material goods. To me the great poverty is the moral poverty that permiates our Western society from top to bottom.
To become wealthy one must first free themselves with the obsession with material posessions and the aquisition thereof.
|
|
two-shoes
Trad climber
Auberry, CA
|
|
This is a good thread for May 1st, aka May Day, aka International Workers Day of the World. Not many know anything about this day. Perhaps Banquo does?
One vote for John Berger.
|
|
madbolter1
Big Wall climber
Denver, CO
|
|
One vote for John Berger.
But that's very disingenuous of you, since you have two shoes. When the "poor" take one or both of your shoes in the name of "leveling the playing field," then let's see what you have to say.
;-)
|
|
Caveman
climber
Cumberland Plateau
|
|
"Wealth is eating out of the jar
Poverty is licking the outside of the jar ....."
Poverty is when all your wealth comes in a jar.
|
|
Dave
Mountain climber
the ANTI-fresno
|
|
Look, very few Americans are poor. There are some I have met in rural Appalachia that compare to what many of us have probably seen in travels in third world countries - beggars on the streets that truly have nothing - no roof, no food, little access to water.
Maslow's hierarchy of needs pretty well sums it up:
water
shelter
food
How many Americans have or can get that - at least through a shelter or something?
Just about all.
Go to a third world country and in many cases a large part of the population might not have reliable access to one of not more of those fundamental basic needs.
Poor? Not here (largely). Large differences in income? Yes. Separate issue.
|
|
Gary
Social climber
From A Buick 6
|
|
Do you think a person like Bill Gates or other very successful people are rich at the expense of others?
Yes. You think Gates earned every penny of those billions by his very own hands? There is no wealth without poverty.
|
|
Banquo
climber
Amerricka
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - May 2, 2015 - 01:57pm PT
|
The people here at ST probably have the necessities covered. We have enough food, we have shelter. We also have sufficient resources beyond the bare necessities to afford some climbing and camping gear. We have toys. What baffles me is how we the middle class keep insisting on more and insist on competing with each other for it. It seems like if we would all relax, live in a smaller house, drive an older car, live simple, live frugal, we could still have the necessities and the toys but would also have more time to enjoy them and enjoy being with our friends.
Of course there are those whose job is a joy to them.
|
|
zBrown
Ice climber
Brujò de la Playa
|
|
Do you think a person like Bill Gates or other very successful people are rich at the expense of others?
Absolutely. Every single one, even when he/she inherited the wealth. There is no sense in even asking such a question.
More interesting is how wealthy folks acquire their wealth.
|
|
two-shoes
Trad climber
Auberry, CA
|
|
Most climbers think they are middle class because they've got a few toys?
A lot of us could soon be out on our duffs with just one unlucky bout of an unforeseen sickness. You would be lucky if the insurance companies would even continue to cover you.
Many live just from week to week.
Since the 2008 financial debacle, over 5 million home foreclosures. Huh?
This was a debacle that was economically engineered by the power elites that globally transferred monetary wealth from the bottom to the top.
They have now amassed unparalleled levels of wealth. Some of the top CEOs take in more than 1 Billion per year. The top 400 richest people in the US are now worth well over 2 Trillion. So says Forbes! Most of us don't know what this figure even represents in power, the sum being just too vast.
While, half of all public school children in the US are in poverty, so says the Southern Education Foundation.
Of the 45 wealthiest countries the US has the 2nd highest level of poverty, exceeded only by Romania! No, Fox News is not going to tell you this, why would Rupert Murdock, who is worth almost 14 Billion, want you to know?
Austerity isn't something that only happens in Europe.
|
|
Roger Brown
climber
Oceano, California
|
|
I am Happy.
That makes me as wealthy as anyone, probably wealthier.
|
|
|
SuperTopo on the Web
|
Let us know!