Most people, when they speak about money being evil, actually refer to the intended use of money.
It’s interesting to see what newer generations focus their economic output on. Where they put value and dedicate time to.
Here are some of the interconnected factors:
- Creating lasting memories and experiences seems to be high on the list. Events that can be cherished for a lifetime. These experiences provide opportunities for personal growth, self-discovery, and connections with others, which could be seen as more meaningful than accumulating material possessions.
- Many prioritize adventure, exploration, and travel. They seek to broaden their horizons by visiting new places, trying new activities, and experiencing different cultures. These experiences are seen as opportunities for learning and personal enrichment. Immersion is the best way to understand and remove all biases of another culture. (I particularly like trying the food!)
- The rise of social media and digital platforms has made it easier to share experiences with a broader audience. This social sharing can reinforce the desire to seek out unique and shareable experiences, as it can lead to social validation and a sense of belonging within their peer group. Being exposed to such beautiful places worldwide imbues one with images that touch our every essence, seeking to experience beauty and the transcendent first hand.
- Economic challenges, such as student loan debt and the high cost of homeownership, have led many to delay traditional milestones like buying a house or starting a family. As a result, they may have more disposable income to allocate towards the pursuit of experiences.
- Some are concerned about the environmental impact of consumerism and are drawn to a minimalist lifestyle. Experiences often align better with these values, as they typically have a lower ecological footprint than the production and disposal of material goods. However, this is counterintuitive given the high energy cost of travel.
- Social media and digital connectivity have also fueled a sense of FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out)among many. Seeing friends and peers enjoying experiences can motivate them to participate in similar activities to avoid feeling left out.
- The rise of the digital economy has made it easier to access and book experiences online, from concert tickets to travel accommodations, further encouraging experiential spending.
‘The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, “What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.” Then he said, “This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, ‘You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.'” But God said to him, “You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?” This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.'” Gospel of Luke 12: 16 – 21
The issue most people have with money today is the standard argument, “If we grabbed the top 10 wealthiest people in the world, we could end world hunger, we could end homelessness, or increase medical treatment for all.” In an oversimplified worldview, this resonates with truth. We share this beautiful planet with people who have enough wealth to last them 1000 generations, and down the road, a few blocks from their residence, people are starving.
The fallacy here is to think that people with economic means are purposely acting in a way that keeps others from achieving wealth or independence. This disparity is more a factor of proper asset management versus the oppressive nature of any given enterprise. These groups are willing to delay gratification, hoping for a greater reward in the future.
The reality is that most people don’t have the discipline to wake up early, to go after their dream and hold nothing back, to put in that extra effort, to take chances and risk it all.
Family, education, access to information, and proper nutrition are many factors at play.
The real issue is that people never talk about or mention how the distribution of this wealth would ever actually occur reasonably and fairly.
This clamor for reform is, unfortunately, backed by smoke and mirrors, for there is never a solution that guarantees justice, just a Marxist redistribution, and we all know how that has historically played out.