Many people older and wiser than me have commented about the “thin veneer of civilization” on the Naked Ape*.A remote connection between evolutionary biology and the drive to display luxury yachts and gold-plated penthouses seems possibly plausible.
On the flipside, I thought that as modern, ethical human beings capable of introspection and reflection, we would be in a position to move beyond the law of the jungle.
As for me personally, if I was worth billions of dollars, I really would not want strangers knowing about it. I would prefer to be off the radar.
Two sides to this issue in deep conflict. Absolute necessity for business pragmatism versus extremely serious humanitarian issues.
At some point we cannot provide free housing for the same reason we cannot stay in Afghanistan in perpetuity.
Progeny is one way, but you can do it in others. Those who wrote books and literature did it through their contributions. Those who build buildings and other construction do it in that way too. There are many ways to leave something that lasts beyond yourself. I think that's how viable and vibrant societies grow.
I have never heard a credible explanation for the need to impress strangers with ostentatious display of material possessions.
I had a friend who used to work at a car rental at the local airport. Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam came through, and he rented the cheapest little economy car they had.
It's a really strange form of insecurity, I think. I have some friends who get their skin faded every seven days. They plan for their haircuts like they plan for work. They wear $200 sneakers ten times or so, carefully scrubbing them for thirty minutes or more after every wear, until they get a scuff they can't remove and throw the shoes away. I know someone who is delinquent on his mortgage but bought a Porsche two weeks ago. I might not be the most situationally aware person in the world, but even when I notice a stranger who is dressed in expensive clothes, wearing expensive cologne/perfume, wearing expensive jewelry, parking their six figure car, I can't say that I'm impressed. Luxury is one thing, but ostentatiousness is rather repulsive to me.
It is one thing to appreciate luxury items. I appreciate classic guitars, masterpiece works of art, premium vodka. My papa had a classic 18th century Italian violin purportedly worth 50k.
It is another thing entirely to feel compelled to display exotic material possessions for strangers and the general public. I do not know why Trump thinks he benefits from having photos of his gold-guilded penthouse and golden toilet put out in the public domain.
I went to college, and grad school, and I still made way more money--with better benefits--being a electrician.
LOL.
That was a zing!
You stopped reading the thread too soon lol.
It is one thing to appreciate luxury items. I appreciate classic guitars, masterpiece works of art, premium vodka. My papa had a classic 18th century Italian violin purportedly worth 50k.
It is another thing entirely to feel compelled to display exotic material possessions for strangers and the general public. I do not know why Trump thinks he benefits from having photos of his gold-guilded penthouse and golden toilet put out in the public domain.
What exactly is a woke junk college?
The only openly political thing I ever remember hearing a professor say in class was that he opposed Gulf War 1.
I am surprised I was never able to track down all the Marxist indoctrination classes.
Agreed on appreciating fine things over simply showing off with money.
There are some things, like bucket list items, which often require disposable funds and the obligatory "Hi! from XXX" picture in Facebook**.
It's not my style to continually brag to friends about travels even though comparing travels with friends can sometimes feel that way. Same with any other displays.
IMO, only people who believe they are better than others do such things.
**so all the thieves know you are out of country.
And an excellent one at that!LOL.I went to college and graduate school to avoid jobs like that.
That was a zing!

For me, that means more work renovating the trashed and now shitty apartments these deadbeats lived in. Did one today in fact. Broken receptacles in it, among other electrical issues.
Had to put down plastic on the floor to kneel on since the whole apartment had animal shit and piss on the floors. Retched stench. How anyone could live like that is beyond me....
When on vacation you could always booby trap the house for thieves, per Home Alone.
I do not think it is ostentatious to share photos with friends of a trip to Croatia or Belarus. That simply caters to pure, genuine human interest.
I do not see the need for Trump to publicly show off his golden toilet or Kim Kardashian to post video of her jewelry shopping excursion at Tiffany's.

You stopped reading the thread too soon lol.
You stopped reading the thread too soon lol.
This is based on the ASSUMPTION said individual can even read
BTW ... did hojo just extend the moritorium ???
shit's about to get real. the crime rate in those places is going to skyrocket
This is based on the ASSUMPTION said individual can even read
BTW ... did hojo just extend the moritorium ???