In this case though, I tend to agree with the previous person that it is malignant indifference. Millionaires aren’t actively trying to hurt people, they just don’t give a shit that they’re doing it. If the same or better results could be achieved another way, they’d go the other way because it would maximize profits.
You’re right that there are sadists out there who enjoy the suffering of others, but I’d wager that’s a very low percentage in terms of people running companies or crafting legislation.
I think you’re putting a lot of weight into greed in terms of money, and it’s my belief based on watching famous rich people talk that many of them want money, power, and status. The things they say and the way they can bring other people down, those are some ways that they can demonstrate that power or status.
And that makes sense if you consider what meaning money has to the ultra rich. People who have more money than they could ever spend will probably try to get more, but that alone wouldn’t be satisfying. So then they’re going to look to other ways to feel like they’re on top of the world. One way to create that feeling is to knock others down.
Except no. In reality many people make themselves feel better by making others’ lives worse. Cruelty is indeed one of the goals for many.
In this case though, I tend to agree with the previous person that it is malignant indifference. Millionaires aren’t actively trying to hurt people, they just don’t give a shit that they’re doing it. If the same or better results could be achieved another way, they’d go the other way because it would maximize profits.
You’re right that there are sadists out there who enjoy the suffering of others, but I’d wager that’s a very low percentage in terms of people running companies or crafting legislation.
I think you’re putting a lot of weight into greed in terms of money, and it’s my belief based on watching famous rich people talk that many of them want money, power, and status. The things they say and the way they can bring other people down, those are some ways that they can demonstrate that power or status.
And that makes sense if you consider what meaning money has to the ultra rich. People who have more money than they could ever spend will probably try to get more, but that alone wouldn’t be satisfying. So then they’re going to look to other ways to feel like they’re on top of the world. One way to create that feeling is to knock others down.