Post: #1

Does it? Do you look down on someone who doesn't make as much as you?

Post: #2

College has exposed me to a number of extremes.

I spent most of my adolescence in a somewhat cookie-cutter suburb in middle-of-nowhere USA. It was just me and my mom, and we were(are) firmly lower-middle/middle class. The vast majority of the people around us were in the same boat, save for one or two rich kids here and there. Much of the area is blue collar.

Then I traveled to the Ivy League, and in doing so I not only started a new chapter of my own life-I entered a new world. I learned a whole lot about class in American society coming to this school.

-The tuition here is $50,000 annually...half of the kids here write checks for that in full each year out of pocket. The other half is filled with kids who get some aid/loans, but still contribute quite a bit out of their pocket.

-There is no real socio-economic diversity. 90% of the kids come from either a) Top private schools in their respective areas(particularly in the northeast) or b) elite public schools (top 5% in the nation, nationally ranked) in very affluent neighborhoods/towns. The great majority are from the top 1-3% of American families by household income.

-I have been acquainted (in some instances more casually than others) with members of families that own three very well known professional football franchises (one whose family, including uncles and cousins, owns and runs two), to go along with a host of ambassadors, senators, financial elites and the like.

To keep it simple, there is a lot of money running around that campus. It is a completely different world with very different rules of conduct. This nation, for all of its anti-monarchist roots, absolutely does have an aristocracy, and I just happened to unwittingly enter one of its largest breeding grounds(larger still than even most other Ivies, though still not as concentrated as these).

I myself am merely middle class (or lower middle class, depending on which economist/sociologist you talk to), black and nearly a first generation immigrant from a third world country.

Naturally, I did not fit in too well. This class has its own rules, and I was not familiar with them. Excommunication was swift, though polite, as it often is with these people. That process was difficult to deal with, though quite educational. I gained a lot of knowledge the hard way.

Getting to the Point: I have, however, learned a lot about money and those who have it in my short time here, and it has undoubtedly led me to this conclusion: Money does not a good man make.

The people here are generally good-some of them almost seem perfect, like caricatures drawn from television. They're generally polite and are not hateful or loud at all-on the contrary, they are very discreet. The exterior is pretty shiny.

That being said, they're not better than anyone else. I've had the chance to know people from all backgrounds. I've been with elites in college, middle-lower middle class folks back in my hometown, and lower-working class folks and even convicted felons at other times and places in between. I can say that the most kindness and respect I ever received came from those well below the lofty financial station of the folks I hang around now in college.

Prejudice, nepotism and general fakeness (people in this society learn to put on impressions early in life for the sake of perception of establishing "facetime" and moving up in the world) are rife here. You may be familiar with the "Old Boys Club" stereotype often associated with the Ivy League-I am here to assure you that, at least on my campus, that stereotype is very real, as are the negative connotations that come with it.

They are just as flawed as everybody else, in some ways even more so-they just have a much shinier cover(money and prestige) to use as a shield.

Bottomline: No, I would not judge a man based on wealth. I myself have been judged in such a manner, and I know firsthand of its irrationality.

Having been closely associated with men from all classes, I have personally seen no correlation between morality and net worth, and thus no reason to judge someone on the basis of their affluence. I can say firmly that the elite have no rational reason to look down on anybody else-they have no real mandate to heaven, even if a good number of them (at least, some that I know) are convinced that they do. Their quality of character is not superior in my estimation to those "below their station", and their respect for character may very well be lower (class takes precedence over everything in this very small world-it is all about who you know and how important they are).

There is my personal (and admittedly biased) take on the matter. Make of it what you will.

Post: #3

Is this a serious question?

Ovcourse not.

I have alot more respect for a poor honest, humble, hard working man that goes out of his way to help people than a rich stuckup, dishonest, lazy, dude that only cares about himself and money.

Post: #4

A guy just dropped his wifes car off that needs a exhaust pipe. She is a retired teacher and they own a bar and about 200 houses outright.
Do you think they will let me put on a $150 dollar pipe? Mind you the grandchild rides in this car and fumes are getting inside. No way! He will hit every junk yard for the next two days before he will buy that new pipe. I even offered free labor if he pays for the pipe.
This guy is a multi millionaire.
I have been rich and poor and one thing I did notice is that when I was rolling in it pussy was getting thrown at me like crazy. Maybe it was confidence of having money.

Some rich people hate on the poor. Some poor people hate on the rich. Don't ever be either of those guys and you will be fine.

Post: #5

When we talk of money, how much money are we talking of? Are we talking about enough to live a comfortable lifestyle? And if we speak of comfort, what is comfort exactly? Able to pay regular bills (car note, rent, utility bills) and still have money to save?
Or able to spend money on drugs, alcohol and travel and STILL have money to spare?

I think that by and large, people have respect for males that have money because that is like a measure of status in society (especially in the North Americas).

I have lost a lot more lizards due to lack of perceived wealth here than I did in the U.K.

Does the acquisition of multitude pussy make a man? If it does, then by association, money does make a man because more money will definitely get a man more pussy.

Post: #6

I think Zuckerberg is a great example...

Post: #7

Extremes on both ends make a difference. Unless you're dirt poor or super-rich money doesn't really make a difference in how one is perceived.

Do I look down on someone who can't pay his bills, spends more than he makes, lives from paycheck to paycheck? Yes, but a guy making 250 grand a year could easily live like that and not save a penny. A guy making 40-50 grand a year could still save 10 grand or more a year if he doesn't live beyond his means.

It's not how much you make, it's how much you save.

Post: #8

Athlone McGinnis,

That was an excellent post. Coming from a something of a similar background to those kids at your school, it was interesting to get your observations - especially that "perception of facetime...."

Man that is such a upper class-type thing to do.

I went to one of those uppity private schools for high school and then to a big state university for college and had the exact same experience in reverse.

Post: #9

"Man made the money, money never made the man" - LL

Post: #10

(08-17-2011 09:37 AM)Dash Global Wrote:  Is this a serious question?

Yeah. So many people are obsessed with money around here so I wanted people's opinions

Post: #11

Gmanifesto beat me to the punch. I was about to quote that very song!


Mixx

Post: #12

(08-17-2011 05:53 PM)houston Wrote:  

(08-17-2011 09:37 AM)Dash Global Wrote:  Is this a serious question?

Yeah. So many people are obsessed with money around here so I wanted people's opinions

Yea, because everyone WANTS it.

Thats a tangible thing that could be gone tomm.

Where I come from a man's word, integrity, and principle defines him.

I like the quote above about Man, making the money"

Post: #13

(08-17-2011 05:53 PM)houston Wrote:  

(08-17-2011 09:37 AM)Dash Global Wrote:  Is this a serious question?

Yeah. So many people are obsessed with money around here so I wanted people's opinions

Because money is freedom.

Post: #14

I think people are more prone to judging you based on your occupation than on your earnings. It's easy to find out how someone is employed, earnings are usually hidden. People are also quick to judge the type of character that typically falls into your line of work.

Money is just the ability to buy stuff. It doesn't make you an interesting character.

Post: #15

(08-18-2011 02:37 PM)CupCake Wrote:  Money is just the ability to buy stuff. It doesn't make you an interesting character.

It can, indirectly.

Money lets you pick up girls and rather than take them home, go book a Vegas hotel.

Lets you travel.

Gives you TIME to run day game instead of working.

Money, although not required, does indirectly lead to a more interesting life.

Post: #16

Since money doesn't make a man, what exactly makes a man?

What are the consituents or values that make up a man?

Post: #17

Honor. Loyalty. Fearless. Confident. Leader. And HUMBLE.

Anything else is bullshit.

Mixx

Post: #18

Money does not make the man but confidence does.

So having money does make you feel more confident and thats how a real man should be, although money doesnt make you a better person though.

Post: #19

This question, is hard to answer

Post: #20

(08-18-2011 02:46 PM)MikeCF Wrote:  Money, although not required, does indirectly lead to a more interesting life.

Possibly. But it takes a man of character to be able to appreciate and design a good life with his money. You can travel all over the world with your money but your paper won't give you the ability to tell an interesting story about your travels. Money will get you on the plane, but it won't write your memoirs for you.

(08-19-2011 10:02 AM)Moma Wrote:  Since money doesn't make a man, what exactly makes a man? What are the consituents or values that make up a man?

I think you need to be a man of principle, confidence, and drive. Those things will get you everything you need and want. And you can't buy any of it.

Post: #21

The more important thing that I've noticed is that, money follows people who are masters of their art and not the other way round. People who are skilled at what they do generally develop a high level of confidence, and when as a result money flows in, that confidence gets re-enforced and amplifies in the process. So initially, they gain respect due to their skillfulness and then gain more respect due to their money.

Post: #22

Given that the basic premise of free society is that every dollar your earn is a dollar someone gave to you because you provided something of value to them, then yes - the amount of dollars you have would seem to measure the amount of value your provided to society. So you would be a more valuable and accomplished person the more money you have.

Of course, when you add to the equation the institute of inheritance, graft, crime, politics, Wall Street, and all other externalities - you can challenge the basic premise we started with, and therefore the conclusion.

Post: #23

Obviously money does not make the man. I know enough rich pricks to say that they are not more of a man than me.!!

I think the line about money can give you freedom is incorrect, alot of rich people are caught up in making the money to the point of not being able to have free time. Yes I am sure someone will mention some movie star, athlete or musician but I am talking real people.

My idea of freedom is having no bills to pay, being able to pick up whenever I feel the need. Not to be saddled down worrying about my Maserati, upkeep of my Mansion and what to buy "Tiffany" for her next birthday.

Post: #24

"Yes I am sure someone will mention some movie star, athlete or musician but I am talking real people. "

Sh*t.

Those people have the least freedom of all.

The only ones who have close to "true freedom" are The International Playboys.

Post: #25

Great fame definitely restricts your freedom....if you have a dark side that likes to lurk.
But it's also nice to be known and respected for being accomplished at something and all the access that brings.
Swings and roundabouts,really.

Although I'm pretty sure being famous was much more fun up till the late 80's ,early 90's before widespread internet,camcorders and iphones putting a camera up your nose every step you take!!

It must be a bit of a nightmare you don't wake up from these days