Investing is actually pretty good if you got into a legit investment. I doubt that it's easy to find one but investing got its bad reputation solely because of the HYIP and ponzis out there. If you will not fall victim into one of those, then it's fine to invest.
It is why avoid so much as possible all ponzi shemes.
But explain me how you see if an investment system is not a ponzi sheme?
People see every where ponzi shemes...even where it is no ponzi sheme.
You're asking me to explain how to know if an investment system is not a ponzi scheme.
Have you tried to become a stockholder of a company, for example Microsoft, Google, etc? Of course those investments are 100% legit. Obvious scams is obvious, no need to explain them well.
Maybe you'll tell me that it is for the real world, then in the internet there are also websites that are looking for investors. For example, a gambling site that just started. I'm pretty sure that you have to meet them if you're investing a decent amount of money, there'll be contracts and agreements and stuff so they can't just run away from you.
Just to keep it short, all (98% atleast) investment sites out there are ponzi scam but if you invest your money in a big site or in a big project with agreement and stuff, then surely they can't just runaway with your money.