Greed

[Kyriakos]

Greed is imo one of the worst traits. Usually it is about money. I was recently asked if i would be interested in bringing customers to some place, and take a cut of their pay. I refused, yet i was alarmed by how one could even make such a suggestion out of hand.
It is not nice at all to move about the world and see how many people just seem to be into gaining as much money as possible, and be seemingly unaware of the impression they create to those less greedy than them. It does surprise me; back when i was more reclusive i wasn't aware of how many people act this way. It would then appear to me to be a hyperbolic description of a person, one making him/her be primarily about greed. Yet it does happen, and not rarely either.
I find it miserable, and dumb. A bit as if some passengers in a lame train journey, to last a few hours, become keen on robbing their fellow passengers of some coupons or small change, which will not mean anything when the journey is over and done with. Then they don't realize why they lose any respect, and may even think this is not due to their own behavior.
I don't get how trying to trick someone will do you any good. Seems that, indeed, anyone on this train will just stay here until it's over, and the windows open at different times for each one, and through them the heads of the Lernaea Hydra will finally feast on some more of the passengers of this dreadful mess.

-Is money more important to you than would be healthy?

 

[Snerk]

Everybody feels and acts a little greedy from time to time, no? It's a fairly primal human trait with some pretty obvious evolutionary benefits. But too much of it is a very bad thing, toxic both on a micro and macro level of your life, society and whatever.

Overall I think I have a rather balance view over the (un)importance of money and material things.

 

[civver_764]

Greed is imo one of the worst traits. Usually it is about money. I was recently asked if i would be interested in bringing customers to some place, and take a cut of their pay. I refused, yet i was alarmed by how one could even make such a suggestion out of hand.

What's wrong with this? They would basically be paying you commission for bringing them business, a very common arrangement.

 

[Kyriakos]

^Well, it involves convincing someone who trusts you, to pay money to others, so that you can get a cut of said money. It is highly immoral.

 

[civver_764]

^Well, it involves convincing someone who trusts you, to pay money to others, so that you can get a cut of said money. It is highly immoral.

If the business in question would have provided value to those people, I think it's a win for everybody.

 

[Kyriakos]

If the business in question would have provided value to those people, I think it's a win for everybody.

Maybe... At any rate, in my case it felt really like a hideous proposal.
Another issue is that no one would think highly of one if they knew he/she was taking money to lead them to a deal.

 

[Lexicus]

I don't think it's cool to use people for money

 

[Valka D'Ur]

-Is money more important to you than would be healthy?

Generally, only when I'm playing Civ, Monopoly, Dungeons & Dragons... in those instances, I'm all for KTAATTS. There comes a time when I definitely don't need the money, but grab it just because I want it.

I try not to apply that to real life, though, since KTAATTS leaves people broke, dead, or both.

I don't think it's cool to use people for money

There are times when it's necessary, though - not in the selfish sense I think you mean, but for other reasons. I've got a couple of situations going on now, with my dad and with my telecom bill.

My dad's situation is getting to the point where I'm considering reporting his financial trustee to the government for non-communication (he won't answer phone calls or emails and doesn't reimburse my dad's caregivers promptly for supplies he needs - just found that out this morning). At this point I'm ready to use anyone who can help resolve this situation, since my dad needs things that I can't (and legally shouldn't) pay for.

The telecom company isn't listening when they're told that I have a deal with the company that owns the building I live in - they pay my basic cable and internet, including hookup fees (because I recently moved) - and all I'm responsible for is my phone, any extra channels, and any data usage that goes over my cap. I've had three different customer service agents looking into this, the person who did my lease, and now the manager. Am I going to use these people in any way I can to make sure everything is set straight? You betcha.

@civver_764: Some of these deals when people are paid to steer customers toward a particular business, that business is sometimes on the shady side... like gambling, for example. It sounds like Kyriakos is being sensible and not risking any trouble for himself.

 

[Lexicus]

There are times when it's necessary, though

Capitalism forces it on people, yes.

 

[caketastydelish]

I don't think it's cool to use people for money

It's called hiring them.

 

[Lexicus]

It's called hiring them.

Exactly

Capitalism forces it on people, yes.

 

[Mechanicalsalvation]

Greed is an amazing thing and completely natural when observed in animals but it becomes less so and even disturbing and disgusting when you see it in a grown up men. Its a matter of (spiritual) evolution I suppose...

 

[warpus]

Our entire western civilization is based on the concept of greed. Without greed you couldn't have capitalism and all the good things that came with it

Of course there are a lot of bad things associated with greed and systems based around it, like you've pointed out. That's why we need regulations to limit systematic greed

 

[Mechanicalsalvation]

Our entire western civilization is based on the concept of greed. Without greed you couldn't have capitalism and all the good things that came with it

Of course there are a lot of bad things associated with greed and systems based around it, like you've pointed out. That's why we need regulations to limit systematic greed

Now thats pretty stupid. No society base itself on greed and call itself civilised. Its like to say that our society is based on sex impulse. Which is again the opposite of what the case is.
Our society is clearly based in regulating of both these powerful forces of life and nature.

 

[warpus]

Now thats pretty stupid. No society base itself on greed and call itself civilised.

Hello, have you ever been to America

 

[Mechanicalsalvation]

Hello, have you ever been to America

You can say there is big increase of greed in vital aspects of the society but thats not the same as saying that the civilization is based on greed...

 

[warpus]

America flies the flag of capitalism high and proud and capitalism has greed at its core. Without greed you don't have competition and without competition you don't have the American spirit.

 

[Kyriakos]

My issue is that the person who asked me if i was interested in this, seemed to have no idea that it is a pitiful thing to do. I even told him so, namely "you wouldn't like it if it was done to you", to which he replied "but it will be a good service". No it won't.

Anyway, it has to do with the publishing world, and i have decided to try to move to somewhat greener pastures within it. It is no surprise that many people in this business view it exactly like a business and nothing else. But it is very annoying to anyone who actually views writing as something serious in itself.
From a more empathic pov (though i doubt it is just empathy with me), i was disgusted by the idea that i - who wouldn't pay to have something published, cause that is really a nasty thing to do to oneself in the first place- would just propose to another writer to pay to have his work published, so that i would take a percentage. That is just jerkish. As noted, i have to move on.

 

[Disgustipated]

It's not something I would do. I certainly would not want to have to do anything like lying to make money. I'm thankful for a job where my hands and brain earn me money. I can provide a quantifiable service in exchange for money without compromising my ethics at all. I would not be able to have a job where I tell someone to go into some restaurant and it has the best food, because to me, that is lying. Promotion and advertising are out of the question for me.

Any who know me know I love capitalism. It has been really good to me. But of course I am biased. Capitalism rewards those who are smart or skilled at something. Supporting a socialist system would go against my self interest and make me poorer, I can hardly support that. Having money is the only thing that helps in any regard in getting women, I'm certainly not blessed with good looks. I can't support a system that takes away the only good thing I have going for me.

 

[Kyriakos]

^Wait, aren't ethics a good thing going for you?