There are so many ways that money hurts people, both directly and indirectly. Here is a brainstormed list of all of the hurt caused by love of money - and the evil it does:
IT CAUSES DIRECT PHYSICAL HARM - A great, modern example would be by way of pharmaceutical companies. Watch tv and look at all of the new diagnosis out there, ones that never existed throughout history, with a miracle drug to cure it, of course. Now listen to the side effects on the commercial. Big Pharma fights to pull "natural products" (i.e. they can't profit from them) off of shelves while they directly cause harm to people each and every day and see no problem with people over-medicating with OTC products at local Walmarts on a daily basis. Beware the messenger whose motivation is 100% money.
MONEY = POWER - I've never believed that all people in power are there by merit. Unfortunately, more often it appears to me it is who you know and how much money you have in the bank that matters in society. Power is dangerous in the hands of the wrong people...and many people in power shouldn't be there. We currently equate money with human value - a tragic mistake.
CRIME - People crave money and some will directly harm others to take it from them. They steal, cheat and lie to get their hands on it. Corporations cannot be excused from this illegal activity and have robbed people of their life savings.
DECEIT - One needs to only look at the internet to see this one in full motion. "Make money online" gimmicks created by people who have discovered feeding off of people's dreams and hopes is a great way to make money - ironically, their only real source of income.
WE HURT OURSELVES - One can't blame another for this one (back to personal responsibility) but it is a tragedy nonetheless. We live in a society today where money equates to happiness. We keep up with our neighbors, live beyond our means and get into debt to feel "wealthy." We are told we cannot enjoy life until we retire, then work like dogs to hopefully save enough up. But we also need to provide for our families after our deaths! Does the insanity ever end? Some people spend their entire lives in this game. When does living truly begin?
Money Is Evil Comments
Thanks, Katie!
Glad to see you are back - missed you around these parts recently!
Oh so true, greed is now and has always been the root of all evil, bad doing and over all downfall of society. Money is a tool and a responsibility we should both learn to use and then do so wisely with many things considered first. Great Read! :)K
You aren't kidding! People with money wanting to live forever, never wanting the ride to end. I've never looked at life as a ride to be had, but more of a learning experience where I am supposed to grow during my time here. I won't be one to sign up for immortality...not ever. Another good Wizzley idea! (science and immortality)
Thanks for your wise comments, Mira! Sam also talked about how money can be used for good. I'ma thinkin someone has got to do a Wizzley on the good side of money! :)
You probably already know how I feel about today's illness and soaring cancer rates that didn't exist 100 years ago - money is needed in research, absolutely...but I blame money/greed (processed food, water, pollution, pharmaceuticals, technology dangers) on being the cause as to why so many are ill in the first place...perhaps all of this money wouldn't be needed if we weren't such a sick planet these days?
So much money, unfortunately, goes into money making drugs to suppress symptoms rather than cure, but there certainly are times...I completely agree...where money does good and saves lives!
So I guess in the future love of "immortality" will be at the root of all evils! It's too scary to even think about.
Unfortunately money is also needed for all kinds of research, and wonderful, dedicated scientists help so many people. I watched on TV the other day how gene therapy, for instance, helped a months-old baby who had a faulty gene that basically switched off his immune system. Without this therapy, he would have died. Then I'm also thinking often of people on dialysis, not to mention so many who struggle with the big C. Money is needed to fund this research.
But I agree that money hurts us in so many different ways, too. In fact, even scientific research is questionable many times. We might live to see cloned humans, designer babies, people with lots of money paying to live until 150 (in fact, they say that the person who will be living until 150 might already be 50-60 years old) or to another age closer to forever, while staying in good health -- some scientists say that in 20-30 years they hope to eradicate all illnesses; they've already discovered a series of longevity genes. I wonder what health insurance will look like when each of us will get a digital map of all the genes that may cause various diseases. But all this is another discussion.
Sam,
Devil's advocates are always welcome here! ;) I will never believe I've nothing yet to learn or more growing to do!
You raise an excellent point - those who help others with their money. Rolling Jubilee looks wonderful - brothers and sisters helping brothers and sisters. I love stories where people have won the lottery and have given it all to charity, etc. Think that would be a good article to do, Sam!
I agree with you, in sum - there are many people who use their money for good.
Tiggered,
Thank you for such a sweet compliment! I think awareness is half the battle - being aware of what you want vs need, being aware of manipulations like fear and deceit. Just being mindful of these things can make someone feel better and more in control of their life, even if they can't break free completely. Have a great day!
May I play the Devil's Advocate? ;-)
I agree with all what you said above and would love to live in a off-grid bartering society, sadly we are not there yet. What I would also add is that we have to look beyond why we "love" money. If it is for purely selfish reasons like those outlined above by you, it is wrong. But I do love having money, and wish I had more, because it enables me to help people that have less. For example, I am donating money to the http://rollingjubilee.org/ , I wish I had more money to give, because I truly believe that this helps many people. And no, I am not even an American, nor do I live in the US ;-)
So, my POV is: I do love having money, and wish I would have more, because I love helping people and sometimes, not always, that requires money!
I'll never tire of articles like yours. The more people think so, the better. Luckily, once you learn to distinguish your real needs from those invented by advertising people, you are on a good track to at least partial independence. Glad to hear you're already there :)