To my way of thinking, billionaires are an abomination. The only thing more disgusting than a billionaire is someone with multiple billions. The above chart is out of date, but here are some more recent statistics:
What a year it’s been for the planet’s billionaires, whose fortunes continue to swell as global stock markets shrug off war, political unrest and lingering inflation. There are now more billionaires than ever: 2,781 in all, 141 more than last year and 26 more than the record set in 2021. They’re richer than ever, worth $14.2 trillion in aggregate, up by $2 trillion from 2023 and $1.1 trillion above the previous record, also set in 2021. Two-thirds of the list’s members are worth more than a year ago; only one fourth are poorer. Much of the gains come from the top 20, who added a combined $700 billion in wealth since 2023, and from the U.S., which now boasts a record 813 billionaires worth a combined $5.7 trillion. China remains second, with 473 (including Hong Kong) worth $1.7 trillion, despite weak consumer spending and a real estate bust that helped wipe out some $300 billion in wealth. India, which has 200 billionaires (also a record), ranks third.1
As I write this essay, President Elon Musk is worth $415.8 billion. That’s obscene. Jeff Bezos is in second place with a treasure hoard valued at $238 billion. These numbers go up and down every day because wealth is fluid. No single individual should control such a hoard.
In a now familiar pattern, the men who have everything, who control such vast amounts of wealth that they’re personally economic planets with their own satellites and lobbying arms and small armies remain greedy and unsatisfied and are willing to throw oppressed people further under the bus to get their next billion. Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, we are increasingly subjected to these mens’ every decision because their vast fortunes have allowed them vast political power, in addition to the economic power inherent in such wealth.
The wheels are going to come off the bus before this kingdom of losers collapses under the weight of its own vast hoard, and the egos of little men who have far too much power and wealth. Getting off social media and getting organized in the real world is the only way I can see to survive the dumbpocalypse. The billionaire class will not stop eating the world until they themselves are eaten.
Our apathy and their arrogance and greed.
California is burning, but that conflagration will seem miniscule soon. Just look at the ecological record. The people who rule your life also could care less about you.
And capitalism rewards these men. It rewards them again and again. Bezos is rewarded for forcing workers to pee in bottles, Zuck is rewarded for abusing our data, and Musk is rewarded for spreading hatred and busting unions. We live under a system that rewards black holes, rewards endless greed. There are many ways to judge capitalism, but one metric that makes sense is who gets elevated, who is able to accrue vast fortunes and power beyond measure.
As J.P. Hill suggests, there is only one way to survive the point of history we find ourselves at: coming together to organize and seize the power back. The system will collapse. Is collapsing in real-time. Treat it as the danger it is, and get out of the way. There are no “good” billionaires and unregulated capitalism will kill everyone on the planet if we let it.
Eat the rich before they eat the world.2
https://www.forbes.com/billionaires/
https://www.oxfamamerica.org/explore/stories/top-5-ways-billionaires-are-bad-for-the-economy/
Yes. Billionaires are indeed the problem. They are buying our government, hoarding the resources that could alleviate suffering.
And yet, the poor still worship the rich. Whether it is sports stars or tech bros, people are impressed. They think Bezos, Zuck, Muck and even the Orange Turd are actually smart enough to have created their wealth and therefore are smart enough to rule us.
All four of them were in the right place at the right time - Muck and Turd inherited their money.
What is stunning to me is the lack of interest in their values. Bezos could pay his workers a lot more and still enjoy his toys. Zuck could have the balls to operate a news center with editorial integrity.
Muck could treat his workers with respect and stay out of politics. He could be the foundation of a new way to treat his employees. He could make a new history of benevolent business practices. But he won't because his Asbergers is much worse than anyone is willing to admit. He really has no interest in other people. He can't spell empathy. He hates his own child for choosing her identity.
And the Turd? This bag of crap is the very antithesis of values. He is actually competing to be the worst human to have ever lived. And people are lapping it up. Loving him.
What happened to altruism? What happened to a population that is impressed by good deeds, by efforts to solve poverty and reduce suffering? What happened to character? What happened to generosity?
And religious "leaders" are applauding the Turd. I think there is something in the water.
Pen, do you think the people will revolt? Will there ever be a redistribution of our national treasure? How bad will it have to get before the Peasants rise up and take back what is rightfully theirs?
I agree that the global system is imploding, as irrepressible greed and grossly ignorant Christian Nationalism collide with one another...and ecological catastrophes clash with AI and crypto bubbles.
Steering clear of the fallout and minimizing expenses are steps I've taken.