Why are modern day billionaires narcissistic sociopaths?

[Anonymous]

If you look back to the 20th century, the robber barons and industrial leaders were certainly not saints. But there seemed to be a compulsion to give back through philanthropy, and at least set an example of civilized behavior. We can think of the Rockefeller Foundation, Ford Foundation, Carnegie Library, etc.

Now our business leaders are sociopathic nut jobs. Musk, Bezos, Trump, Zuckerberg…. They give back nothing and seem to want to squash and devour the middle class. Only Bill Gates has developed a significant philanthropic effort.

Is this generational, or does extreme wealth now corrupt in a way that wasn’t possible before? I think Bezos is an interesting case. You can see video interviews with him from the early 1990’s and he’s a regular, pleasant guy. Now he thinks nothing of renting out and entire city and wrecking the lives of anyone who gets in his way.

[Anonymous]

I don’t get it either.

[Anonymous]

Wealth hoarders have always been antisocial narcissists. There was previously more social pressure to "help the poor" in a paternalistic way, and philanthropy has always been a method they use to launder their public image and shield themselves from proper taxation. Nothing has really changed. Social media just gives us more access to these people and how they think and behave is more public.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you look back to the 20th century, the robber barons and industrial leaders were certainly not saints. But there seemed to be a compulsion to give back through philanthropy, and at least set an example of civilized behavior. We can think of the Rockefeller Foundation, Ford Foundation, Carnegie Library, etc.

Now our business leaders are sociopathic nut jobs. Musk, Bezos, Trump, Zuckerberg…. They give back nothing and seem to want to squash and devour the middle class. Only Bill Gates has developed a significant philanthropic effort.

Is this generational, or does extreme wealth now corrupt in a way that wasn’t possible before? I think Bezos is an interesting case. You can see video interviews with him from the early 1990’s and he’s a regular, pleasant guy. Now he thinks nothing of renting out and entire city and wrecking the lives of anyone who gets in his way.

This was really difficult to research, OP.

https://onlyearthlings.com/15-billionaires-who-pledged-to-give-away-most-of-their-wealth/




You didn't mention Bloomberg, but you just had to mention Trump. Why?

[Anonymous]

Idk about Musk but Gates, Zuckerberg, Bezos, Bloomberg, the Waltons and others donate billions to charity. Now you might think that’s not enough and want them taxed more, but there is too much discourse seeking to demonize others. The talk around Bezos’s wedding was especially ott considering they paid for all services and donated millions to the city. There have always been rich people who liked grandiose displays of wealth throughout history, it’s not new. And most did not care about poor people at all.

[Anonymous]

I would not want to be one of them.

But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation. — Luke 6:24

[Anonymous]

OP - no, not all modern-day billionaires are narcissistic sociopaths. You seem to think that Musk, Bezos, Trump, and Zuckerberg are the only billionaires. There are many other billionaires...many of whom are not narcissistic sociopaths.

https://qz.com/the-10-most-charitable-individuals-in-america-1851767664

[Anonymous]

A top income tax rate of 90% helped.

[Anonymous]

Because no one tells them no. Because they are fed garbage like: “It’s a huge burden to have so much money.” I know some billionnaires personally and this is the case with them. But, Buffet & others aren’t like this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wealth hoarders have always been antisocial narcissists. There was previously more social pressure to "help the poor" in a paternalistic way, and philanthropy has always been a method they use to launder their public image and shield themselves from proper taxation. Nothing has really changed. Social media just gives us more access to these people and how they think and behave is more public.

All truth, no filler.

'philanthropy' as a concept is an indicator of mental illness. "You're beneath me, but I can help poor you" is a pathetic way to treat another person. If these billionaires genuinely cared about others they wouldn't be billionaires. There is no ethical way to accumulate that kind of money.

And none of these rich AHs "helping the poor" have done so to their own detriment. When they give to the point it hurts them, I'll care.

[Anonymous]

Addictive personalities: more, more, more. They’re addicted to money and power. Why else would Mitch McConnell still be working instead of rocking on his back porch enjoying his riches? He’s not devoted to public service. And his kids hate him, so it’s not like he’s working for their inheritance. It’s a mental illness.

A lot of them also get weird as they lose touch with the world outside their own.

[Anonymous]

Also, most people who get ULTRA wealthy do it by hurting other people and taking advantage of unethical opportunities. They’re sociopaths.

[Anonymous]

Musk, Zuckerberg, Bezos, Thiel, Ellison, Ballmar, Page, Brin, Dell, Huang - all tech billionaires.

The tech billionaires aren't really interested in genuine philanthropy. Their money isn't going to mothers and orphans. The most eventful author for these men is Ayn Rand. Most people grow out of Ayn Rand by the age of 20. Tech people don't.

[Anonymous]

You used to get rich by building or creating something. Railroads, for example. They had purpose and identity.

Now most people get rich by pushing paper around like hedge funds or fraud. No sense of purpose besides more money and attention.

[Anonymous]

Billionaire philanthropy is rarely altruistic. The Carnegies and Rockefellers were trying to avoid the pitchforks, as most obscenely wealthy have done since forever.

But the tech billionaires (some of whom do have large philanthropies) subscribe to some b@t$h!t philosophies. Learn about Effective Altruism, Effective Acceleration, LessWrong, the Singularity etc. These philosophies are basically running the world right now. Sam Altman believes that it's inevitable he will become the richest man on earth, so he has a responsibility to share some of the wealth...and this is somehow what's best for humanity.

Not a bad read: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1541619595/