Who is concerned that the world is being consumed by Greed?

[Peter Griffin]

I find it concerning that our world leaders are off in the weeds, despite the many, many issues that are having a great impact on people, the world and its ecosystems. Would love to get some perspective as it feels as though everyone is either disinterested, impotent or naive. I know this isn't the case so wanted other peoples insight.

 

[Secret Chief]

Brought to you courtesy of unrestrained capitalism.

 

[Polymath257]

Show one time in history where it wasn't consumed by greed.

 

[AlexanderG]

I'd be interested in seeing data over a long span of time, with some kind of metric used to objectively measure the level of greed in people or world leader, but I don't think you could product that kind of evidence. I'm not sure your claim is justified for now. One thing we can demonstrably show is that media coverage of negative events had drastically gone up over time. We are now readily informed about every horrible thing occurring in every part of the world, as it happens.

We now have more leaders who are elected by their population than ever before. I'd like to think that creates some accountability, and while it might not be as much as we'd like, it's certainly more than a hereditary monarch or warlord of the past.

Honestly, I think the problem is interest groups worried about their finances, who intentionally create propaganda to confuse poorly educated people and obfuscate the issues. We saw this with smoking, where cigarette companies paid doctors to claim that cigarettes were safe leading to a "controversy" among experts that played out for decades longer than it should have. We see this will fossil fuels now, and climate change, and evolution, and social justice. The internet has really become a double-edged sword, and we're awash in biased narratives that have been purposefully created to confuse us. It takes some good critical thinking skills to navigate, and half of the US has been indoctrinated to avoid critical thinking and believe claims based only on feelings or cultural traditions. I don't know the solution.

 

[Revoltingest]

Show one time in history where it wasn't consumed by greed.

If I ever write a book, it will begin thus....
"It was the worst of times, it was the worst of times...."

 

[Shaul]

Brought to you courtesy of unrestrained capitalism.

Nonsense. Capitalism isn’t based on greed. It is based on self interest. Those are different things. There is just as much greed in non-Capitalist systems. Arguably more.

 

[Rival]

If I ever write a book, it will begin thus....
"It was the worst of times, it was the worst of times...."

You mean, it was the BLURST of times!

 

[Stevicus]

I find it concerning that our world leaders are off in the weeds, despite the many, many issues that are having a great impact on people, the world and its ecosystems. Would love to get some perspective as it feels as though everyone is either disinterested, impotent or naive. I know this isn't the case so wanted other peoples insight.

Sometimes it seems that. A lot of people don't care - or feel powerless to do anything about it. Some are comfortable enough that they're content as things are and hope that whatever environmental or other geopolitical problems might be facing don't get too bad during their lifetimes.

I think greed is an ever-present human quality, although not everyone falls into that same category or has the same values in this regard. It's somewhat the same with politicians and other movers and shakers who seem to want more and more power. This seems to be another constant throughout human history.

The only differences along the way have to do with what world leaders do with their power. Right now, I agree that the leaders of today seem to be off in the weeds, as you put it. I don't necessarily believe that they're all bad people, but they don't seem any different from the rest of us in the sense that they really don't have any answers to the problems we're facing both on a national and global level.

Some of the saber rattling going on can be a bit diverting. No reason for it, but hopefully we can keep the lines of communication and diplomacy open with all nations. That is of paramount importance, above all other considerations.

 

[Shaul]

I don’t agree with the premise that the world leaders are consumed with greed. But that may be because I am using a different definition of world leader. I don’t call someone a world leader just because they hold a place of prominence or notoriety. My definition of a world leader is someone that excels in helping others.

 

[Revoltingest]

You mean, it was the BLURST of times!

That's only if monkeys write the book.
Are you calling me a monkey!

For the uneducated, Rival made
a brilliant Simpsons reference.

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

Greed is what always motivates the human species.

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

Nonsense. Capitalism isn’t based on greed. It is based on self interest. Those are different things. There is just as much greed in non-Capitalist systems. Arguably more.

Capitalism, self interest and power, are just subsets of Greed.

 

[Secret Chief]

Nonsense. Capitalism isn’t based on greed. It is based on self interest. Those are different things.

Of course greed is a characteristic within our human nature. A system based, as you say, upon self interest will inevitably promote the expression of this characteristic. Capital accumulation, the pursuit of profit (at the expense of others), the concentrating of power amongst those who are the wealthiest and the exploitation of others are all features of capitalism that promote greed.

 

[Stevicus]

Greed is what always motivates the human species.

It is a powerful inducement, although it's not a quality equally distributed. Some people seem content with just being comfortable, while others seem to want more than what they could ever possibly need.

 

[Twilight Hue]

Brought to you courtesy of unrestrained capitalism.

And out of control communism.

 

[Secret Chief]

It is a powerful inducement, although it's not a quality equally distributed. Some people seem content with just being comfortable, while others seem to want more than what they could ever possibly need.

You can never have enough ocean-going yachts.

 

[Twilight Hue]

Greed is what always motivates the human species.

And just about any other animal on the planet.

 

[Twilight Hue]

You can never have enough ocean-going yachts.

Ask Bezos...

 

[Secret Chief]

Ask Bezos...

Super.

- Sir Philip Green says he is 'working every day' from his superyacht to save BHS pensions

"The Topshop owner has come under fire for taking more than £400 million in dividends and interest payments from BHS, running stores into the ground through under-invesment and then leaving the company with a £571 million pension deficit, after selling it to a man with no retail experience."

 

[Twilight Hue]

Super.

- Sir Philip Green says he is 'working every day' from his superyacht to save BHS pensions

"The Topshop owner has come under fire for taking more than £400 million in dividends and interest payments from BHS, running stores into the ground through under-invesment and then leaving the company with a £571 million pension deficit, after selling it to a man with no retail experience."

That explains why the rich needs yachts.

To get away from the fire and pitchforks.