- Is it possible to be too rich?

[flibbage0]

The concept of conspicuous consumption has really never occurred to you? Why do you think people aspire to own a Ferrari or a Rolls Royce? Because they are going to get a practical benefit from having a high-power car on their commute down the M5 to work, or whilst popping out to get some milk? People buy these things because it says something about their wealth, status and perceived power: penis-extensions of the most basic, primal, show-off-and-display kind. It's the human equivalent of a peacock showing his feathers.

And what about the sad middle-management goons from Slough that go out to their local West-End night-spot every Saturday, sit in a private paid-for booth and order expensive brand vodkas? Are they drink connoisseurs? Vodka experts? Or perhaps it's the fact they want to be seen dressed in certain branded-clothing, drinking certain expensively-priced drinks. Perhaps they think it will make them seem more wealthy - and hence more attractive - to members of the opposite sex.

Conspicuous consumption is one of the driving engines of our consumerist society. "Keeping up with the Joneses".

Or some people buy these types of cars because they are a petrolhead?

 

[estebanrey]

So if a technical guy with 20 years experience ends up on £200k + bonuses you expect his manager to be on more than that right? Then his manager to be on more than that? Then his director to be on more than that?

But why is that the expectation? That's not how it works in football for example, where the workers (i.e. the footballers) get paid more than their manager who in turn is on more than the directors of the club.

I dunno why it has to be so that a manager must always be paid more than the worker, they are just different skill sets.

 

[Tikkabhuna]

But why is that the expectation? That's not how it works in football for example, where the workers (i.e. the footballers) get paid more than their manager who in turn is on more than the directors of the club.

I dunno why it has to be so that a manager must always be paid more than the worker, they are just different skill sets.

The difference is that the jobs are different. A footballer may not be able to manage, etc. In other industries an engineer, for example, could quite easily be a manager of engineers. If a manager gets paid less there is 0 motivation to move up. There's also likely to be more responsibility for a manager so he should be compensated for that.

 

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lol"green"man

I would buy the virginity of Arekgreenman888 and then TAKE IT!

 

[arekgreenman888]

Hmm... 3.5 times the emissions of a 1.6l Golf, 4.5 times that of a Smart Car.

lol"green"man

That would be my weekend honey magnet. I am a 'green' petrol head.

 

[InKursion]

Or some people buy these types of cars because they are a petrolhead?

If you are a petrolhead you probably wouldn't buy a Rolls Royce. Most of the value of that car is on brand and prestige - the Veblen good aspect. If you are a petrolhead you'd be buying a Lancer Evo or something, something tailored more to performance. I find the argument that people who buy luxury cars are "petrolheads" frankly unconvincing. It's a lame cover for wanting to distinguish yourself socially by the car you drive.

Like I said with the luxury vodka comment as well... people don't buy it in clubs because they want a tasting session, or because they have a refined palate and cannot stomach any inferior goods. They buy it because they want to be seen and photographed with it.

 

[arekgreenman888]

Like I said with the luxury vodka comment as well... people don't buy it in clubs because they want a tasting session, or because they have a refined palate and cannot stomach any inferior goods. They buy it because they want to be seen and photographed with it.

So they want to promote them selves and the brands they use? Or just want to be seen splashing money like a fool?

I dont get it?

 

[GravyMonster]

I dont get it?

Bitches be loving money.

 

[estebanrey]

There's also likely to be more responsibility for a manager so he should be compensated for that.

Yeah right, as soon as something goes wrong they blame the employee and claim they knew nothing about it.

Just look at Bob Diamond in recent days.

 

[Jordw]

If anyone thinks they are too rich they are more than welcome to give me money. I don't think it's possible to be too rich, I'd find ways to spend it.

 

[Haggisman]

Having just seen this thread: http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18393339

My answer would be no. (I WANT ONE!)

 

[arekgreenman888]

If anyone thinks they are too rich they are more than welcome to give me money. I don't think it's possible to be too rich, I'd find ways to spend it.

+1 also accept all monetary donations now forever! I always have ways to spend money in a good way. Not throwing it down the drain like those conspicuous consumption people.

 

[Housey]

Or some people buy these types of cars because they are a petrolhead?

NEVER!!!

 

[Housey]

I don't believe you can be too rich, I do believe you can have enough. If you get to the stage where money simply comes in substantially quicker than it goes out, perhaps even exponentially then all power to you. Like it or not we live in a capitalist society and rich and poor is an aspect of that. Though I appreciate the fact that everyone should be equal sounds lovely, it simply wont work so monies and more monies please.

 

[arekgreenman888]

Nope, there are always new things to buy, whether it's a rare collectors item you want or another airport .

G5 will do me. Or 737 like Donald Trump... I am humble man.

 

[Radiation]

I don't believe you can be too rich, I do believe you can have enough. If you get to the stage where money simply comes in substantially quicker than it goes out, perhaps even exponentially then all power to you. Like it or not we live in a capitalist society and rich and poor is an aspect of that. Though I appreciate the fact that everyone should be equal sounds lovely, it simply wont work so monies and more monies please.

Yeah, so what if i want a million room mansion and the whole of Africa as my backyard, if i can afford it why not?

 

[Housey]

Yeah, so what if i want a million room mansion and the whole of Africa as my backyard, if i can afford it why not?

Wow, you learned me good there..

 

[estebanrey]

I don't believe you can be too rich, I do believe you can have enough. If you get to the stage where money simply comes in substantially quicker than it goes out, perhaps even exponentially then all power to you. Like it or not we live in a capitalist society and rich and poor is an aspect of that. Though I appreciate the fact that everyone should be equal sounds lovely, it simply wont work so monies and more monies please.

But you're creating a false dichotomy, it's not either winner-takes-all deregulated capitalism or rigorously enforced communism.

We have a minimum wage, why not a maximum one? We should either have both or neither really shouldn't we?

 

[Calabi]

Yeah, so what if i want a million room mansion and the whole of Africa as my backyard, if i can afford it why not?

You know thats what they are doing. The rich are buying up tons of farmland in africa and all over the place. Just in case.

 

[elmarko]

In short, yes it is possible.

All you need to do is have such a large share it breaks cyclic consumption - causing the entire global economy to collapse & making money lose all value.

The system needs to work for the money to have value, something which ironically the short-sighted acquisition of wealth (with no thought about the long term effects on society) will stop (I'd wager).