Topic: Greed makes the world go round (Read 3906 times)

There we go.

Without greed - or self-interest, if you prefer - the human race would still be living in caves and crapping in a pile of leaves at the door.

You are right. Didn't think about that. Greed doesn't imply irresponsibility. Does feel that way, though.   Maybe because greed and jealousy are friends.

Who gets to judge what is irresponsible? Perhaps I feel that what I consider responsible for me could be considered irresponsible by another. If someone is greedy, who cares? As long as they aren't harming anyone it really shouldn't matter, should it?

Might you be looking for the term self-interest?

self-nourishment?

As in "Greed is irresponsible exaggerated self-nourishment"? 

All well and good, but we're not looking for a definition of the word greed. What we're looking for is a word to replace it to mean the natural and commendable desire to better yourself and obtain the power necessary to continue bettering yourself. Whereupon we can then use that word in the definition of the word greed.

Until then, for lack of a better word, I'll continue to use greed, and consider what you call "greed" to be "irresponsible greed"

Come to think about it.. Human greed is freaky  

My previous 'better yourself without caring about others' indeed doesn't cut it.

I saw at a documentary about a tiger mom last week. 3 cubs, cute as hell  

At some point tigermom bettered herself and she didn't really care about what that little monkey thought of her plan. She bettered herself, killed a monkey in the process but still I can't call that greed. Even when that monkey was just 'a lesson' for the cubs; They didn't eat it.

So here's another shot
Greed is bettering yourself beyond reasonable. While [not caring about] worsening others.

No, hoarding does not successfully express the desire to better yourself. Merely a desire to have more stuff.

I think the desire to better yourself and to obtain the power necessary to keep bettering yourself is a natural and commendable trait. Only when this comes at the expense of others is it irresponsible.

Maybe 'irresponsible hoarding' could work.
But greed not only expresses the desire to better yourself, also the desire to obtain power to keep bettering yourself.
Dunno if irresponsible hoarding does the job.

Well, the question still stands. Do you have a better word for that desire? If so, then we can define greed as "irresponsible X."

You want to attain (financial) security through hard work and productivity? This goes against every natural instinct and drive for pretty much every species out there. (I am sure there are probably a couple exceptions, but I doubt they will be around for much longer. ) Those that manage to obtain the most for the least amount of effort are the ones in the best position to utilize their stores and survive in possible future times of famine and further be able to pass their genes on. Having finance and trade as tools to attain these goals is only slightly more sophisticated than squirrels storing nuts in a tree for the winter.

You might want to watch this sweetheart. She might help you understand "greed" a little better.

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEE9A33593A261433


What about the guy who buys good from a wholesaler to sell them in his local neighborhood. Is he also a greedy speculator? Isn't he speculating that he can buy low and sell higher? What if he sees a potential shortage of his goods coming in the near future. Is it bad for him to plan accordingly? Does that make him greedy?


That's too bad. Maybe you could buy a few now and then read my signature. That way you don't have to be exposed to BTC for very long.


Again, please, by all means, you go first (and this includes you, too, Crazy). Can you prove what an upstanding, selfless person you are? Show us how you have such a lack of greed by donating some BTC to the address in my signature. I can assure you that they will not be used (they possibly moved to a more secure address) for a very long time (short of getting hacked) and that will help stablize BTC as a currency suitable for everyday trade.

Hmmm.... We could build a whole new conspiracy theory on that one 

click

http://mypamperedpupz.com/January_Newsletter_MyPamperedPupz.com_files/christian-bale-american-psycho-gif-i7.gif

"Government structure" is not the social programs, nor even the police force. That's just the stuff they provide to keep you from shoving their heads in nooses. Government structure is the chain of command. And that is what the internet was built to maintain.

No, that's irresponsible greed.

Are you sure? Wasn't it built around scientific research (CERN) and Military communications? 'Government structure' as in social security, taxes, police etc are as rigid as banks in adopting new technology.

True. Greed is (for me) the desire to better yourself while [not caring about] worsening others

Nah. Just riding our coat-tails.

You're right  But those speculators are hurting our freedom! 

Perhaps because you're in the SPECULATION subforum.

Come visit the politics and society boards, then you'll see the people wanting the freedom.

Well, if they are the fundamentals, I only see speculators here. That's my point- I don't see real people wanting real freedom, just a lotta people wanting quick buck. And that will hurt BTC, but after them I think that the fundamentals will come.

Exactly. And that is worth a hell of a lot, to a hell of a lot of people. THERE's yer "fundamentals."

Really? And how many other things have you invested in? I think that BTC started being like no other investment about a month ago. Before that most of you here weren't so sure that it had such a $$$-future. Now that the price is over the roof, everybody is starting to see new cars and houses with the 10-100-1000 BTC that they hold. That's greed.

Greed is also consuming massive amounts of oil, as opposed to renewable energy sources, which are being suppressed by Big Oil. Greed is also medical marijuana being suppressed by Big Pharma. Greed is getting a $1000 check for a simple doctor's visit, with courtesy of the Med's Cartel. Greed is about getting more and more money, and that's what a lot of people here want. They don't give a f**k about BTC- they just wanna see the price rise and rise and make a profit out of it, telling themselves and everybody else some far-fetched stories that a lot of people are into it now, it's the future and so on(FUNDAMENTALS, as they call it).

And I don't think that's what BTC is about- i personally see it next to renewable energy, alternative medicines and free people(not the slaves that most have become- slave to the bank, slave to the government, slaves to their corporations where they work).
Bitcoin is freedom- freedom to choose when and where you'll transact with who. Without having to feed giant banks and corporations for transactions and having corrupt government officials breathing down your neck.