Well, I would agree that the difference in lifestyle between a billionaire and a millionaire is probably less significant than between a millionaire and a thousandaire.
However, perhaps you have never tasted wealth.
Let me tell you what happens, believe it or not. At first, it feels just as you would expect it to. Amazing... Miraculous... Magical... You can't believe this is really happening to you.
This feeling lasts for months. Then, it begins to dull. This isn't wealth anymore. This is just life. You deserve these things and are used to them.
For example, let me assume you are currently middle class. Imagine suddenly moving to a trailer park and living off of microwave dinners with a beat up jalopy car... That is how you will slowly come to view your *current* middle class existence... Basically, you won't want to go back. Also, you will bore of the luxuries that wealth brings. When life turns into a permanent vacation of booze, beaches, shopping, and gorgeous women, you initially think that you won't need anything else.
But over time you will begin to suspect that many of the friends you make only hang out with you because of your money and status (because it's true) and you will find that swimming in the trappings of wealth is an ultimately hollow existence. You will begin to crave more power and influence, and begin thinking of ways to leave your mark on the world. After all, you are so great right? Shouldn't you do something or build something really big? It's not about survival or comfort anymore... It's about mattering in the grand cosmic scheme.
And you know what? A billionaire can do a fuck of a lot more to finance mega projects than a millionaire can. This is why people aren't happy stopping at millionaire.
The human mind is wired to always look upward towards the next rung of the ladder, and when you finally find your wealth, you will too.
You've excellently articulated this concept. You maybe underestimate how people would be content with drinking, rich food and prostitutes till they kick the bucket, but I think any half intelligent person quickly becomes restless with the banality of hedonism.
I only partially agree: people will indeed be used to the wealth within a matter of a few years (at max). But I don't think everyone will be looking upwards at that moment. I for one think I'll just plan it all out. With about 1.5 - 2 Million in today's purchasing power, it's possible to retire early (assuming being 30 and living till 80) and just live an easy life. reading books, exploring the world with a backpack, doing fun things that are not too costly. enjoying life basically, without extravaganza.
Assuming you are able to keep your capital from loosing value (so keeping it stable in an inflationary environment) and having 1500000 M to live of during 50 years, you can hand yourself a "wage" of 2500 per month. Not bad, but not big either.
Save for your trips, read (or try to write) books, hang out with friends, learn esperanto, maybe try to program, mentor people, give some of your time to the local homeless center, ... in between and just enjoy life
Your only "job" will be monitoring your capital and making sure it doesn't loose value. You'll need to have the discipline to not spend it all though.
