[extropy-chat] Bloodless Redistribution of Wealth (wasSingulartarians)

The Avantguardian avantguardian2020 at yahoo.com
Thu Dec 29 17:46:56 UTC 2005



--- Joseph Bloch <transhumanist at goldenfuture.net>
wrote:

> I must disagree.
> 
> The ultra-rich don't generate wealth to get famous,
> in large part. 
> Indeed, most attempt to discourage such fame (Paris
> Hilton being a 
> notable exception, but perhaps only because she
> shares an IQ with the 
> dog in her purse).

It is not about becoming famous and despite me calling
it vanity money, it is not really about vanity. I used
that term simply to draw an analogy to vanity license
plates. What it is really about is power. Since
ancient times the secular rulers of the world have put
their faces on currency. Alexander, the Caesars,
Napoleon - you get the idea. Who are the rulers of the
world today if not the people on your Forbes list? And
if we can give them the recognition they deserve and
at the same time do a great deal of good, than why
shouldn't we? Furthermore, if they are overly modest,
the winners need not place their own face on the
currency, they can also put the face of a loved one or
someone they feel deserves the honor. Sam Walton comes
to mind in regards to his reclusive family. 

> I crave money too, but it's not so I can resculpt
> the moon in my own 
> image; it's so I can change the world and at the
> same time ensure 
> comfort and access to the latest technological
> advances for myself and 
> my family.

That's fine. Just make sure to remain as objective as
possible when assessing whether you are changing the
world for better or worse.


The Avantguardian 
is 
Stuart LaForge
alt email: stuart"AT"ucla.edu

"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed. . ."

- Albert Einstein, "What I Believe" (1930)


	
		
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