Janet CollinsRich Lists
May 7th 2009 00:22
In a survey carried out this week in the US, apparently under 30 per cent of people with money actually enjoy being depicted as wealthy. The poll was conducted by American Express Publishing and Harrison Group and surveyed 1,500 people who earned between $1,000 and $5 million.
The conclusion of the survey included reasons such as wealthy people being reluctant to be viewed as insensitive to the hardship around them. Nevertheless, rich lists in every area seem to be forced on to us. It’s almost as if we hang on to news about how much all of these people have made in the last year.
What does it really matter what they have made, I ask. Do I care if Kylie has topped or made it to the biggest grossing entertainment list? Do I really care who makes it on to the the rich business list? The lists come out regularly as if they really mean something. Do they? And to whom?
There was a time when personal wealth was something that was private. In the last 20 years or more, these rich lists have become mostly a list to be seen on.
When you are wealthy, you are wealthy. Does it matter if you are the wealthiest or just on the list of the wealthy? Apart from gossip, I cannot see the value in being number one or number two. Except for ego, perhaps, or power maybe but your life would not change terribly if you were rich and then became super-rich.
So what’s the point of rich lists?
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Comment by samaritan
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But maybe they wouldn't see it as that. Maybe they just think of it as showing that they're successful. Because unfortunately, success is often tied with money. And so if you do have a whole heap of expensive things, then quite often you've been a success in what you've chosen to do.
I wonder what the results would be if they changed the question to whether they enjoy being depicted as successful?
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Comment by Janet Collins
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I was quite surprised too. I hardly think these wealthy people are going to go and live in more humble homes and drive more modest cars. And most of them fight to get on to these rich lists.
It didn't seem to make any sense to me.
In Australia we have gone very much that way ourselves and yes, money and wealth are the things that prove success. To get to the top of one of these lists is the ultimate in success - or so many people think.
Thank you.
Comment by Morgan Bell
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