How the Super-Rich Think
We can fairly assume it is different compared with the rest of us. But how?
Not being rich, let alone super-rich, I can’t know for sure how they might think as individuals, but based on knowable actions (mostly in the economic sphere) there are trends that seek to destroy anything and anyone that threatens their wealth and power.
But let’s begin by acknowledging that we have some things in common with the super-rich first. This can help us begin to understand some of their motivations.
First, we are all mortal.
Second, we all have fears and aspirations. They are likely quite different, but the emotions and drives are at least to a point the same.
Third, we all default, most of the time, to pursue and protect those things in our personal best interest.
Three commonalities: Limited life spans, emotional drives, and ambitions are what we all as humans have in common.
The limited life span often drives the super-rich to seek solutions that will extend their lives. If they are not God-fearing then they will seek immortality in other ways. It might be having their names immortalized. Thinking back on important historical figures of the past, this generally doesn’t extend living people’s interest more than thinking just a few generations into the past. Certainly very few will be remembered thousands of years from now. Eventually even time on the planet will come to an end within the universe as we know it. But still, all of these facts don’t stop some people shooting to become immortal.
Which reminds me of Dracula and Frankenstein — two horror stories where mortals attempt to live forever. Dracula lives by drinking the blood of others and Frankenstein attempts to bring the dead back to life. Both are cautionary stories pointing to the problems inherent in attempting to out wit aging and death.
Emotional drives are not replaced by wealth. In fact emotions can be enhanced when the constraints of limited resources are removed. No longer are temptations at the level of petty theft. Now there is real power to crush all competition or overthrow governments if necessary. Now temptations are to payoff politicians and corporate leaders in order to create dynasties. It’s really no different than monarchs of the past and dictators of the present (who are in general super rich themselves) have done throughout mankind’s recorded history.
Ambitions are wrapped up in emotions but also involve left-brain plotting, planning, and problem solving.
So how can these power-manipulators generally hiding in the background of society be at least limited in order to enable the vast majority to have the ability to live peaceful lives — lives not involving global conflicts and market crashes?
For one thing, it is easier to resist intimidation and coercion to serve evil forces when we decide instead to trust in God and one another.
God is bigger than all the super-rich who have ever lived combined. Also he holds the key to eternal life as explained in the gospel story. In God only will justice ultimately reign. Until then we need to hold on and strengthen one another.
Finally if everyone who can in every country that is relatively free votes, the super-rich minority will be unable to win through cheating.
Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say, “Who is the LORD?” or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God.
Proverbs 30:8-9 (ESV)
