GREED

the line is where it always is - once you do something that hurts another, you've probably crossed a line somewhere.

Well, Lil_k nailed that one down. We can all go home from this one.

I have to disagree on this one, folks. I am sure that when Henry Ford manufactured automobiles, it hurt the buggy whip manufacturers. Should he not have gone ahead with his product? Such is the nature of progress!

I did say probably.

i think it's pretty well accepted that henry ford crossed more than one line. greed being one of them.

progress is not always a good thing. the ramifications should always be considered. genetically modified foods come to mind as an example.

Main Entry: greed
Pronunciation: 'grEd
Function: noun
Etymology: back-formation from greedy
Date: 1609
: excessive or reprehensible acquisitiveness

I think greed is completely bad. No redeeming aspect, IMO.

Isn't greed is at the core of capitalistic economic systems?

The bottom line in capitalism is the Profit Margin. It's bottom line certainly isn't the general welfare of homo sapiens.

Double yups and props to Sofia and InfraBlue.

It seems as so. I always wondered why a billion air would want more money. I mean whats the point? So you can hide behind it, I guess that could be it.

Greed is in the eye of the beholder. Everything in life is a subjective perception. How we look at others may be different from how we look at ourselves. When does one have more than one really needs?

Who knows, but I always knew when I had more than I needed. I would then proceed to share profusley untill I had nothing left. More, of whatever it was, will be around the bend. So why care to the extent of greed?

I had the same disease when I was young and single. Money burned a hole in my pocket.

Thats funny, I always talked about the wholes that resulted from the money. I didnt care, and I still dont see what the big deal is. I save a little, and worry about bills and things. Its just weird how people want to have so much stuff, especially when they dont know what to do with they have already got..

I think greed is completely different than a healthy desire to achieve and excel. I don't think capitalism is linked to greed, in theory--but individuals can certainly link the two due to their behavior. Individuals can also affect institutional greed...

yeah

Littlek put it succinctly, but there are many lines which, when crossed, could be considered greed.

What about collectors? They certainly don't need yet another geode or pair of earrings (personally, I don't think you can have too many earrings), or Wedgewood china. Is it bad to be a collector or is it a fairly common symptom of human nature? If you don't spend money that is needed for everyday living and your collection gives you pleasure, is it greed?

The example Phoenix gave of Henry Ford is a good one, regardless of your opinion of him as a human being. The pollution from horses was horrendous in cities--talk about having to watch your step!!

I think many billionaires no longer care about acquiring money except in terms of a game; just to see how much they can accumulate. Look at Warren Buffet; he is a billionaire many times over, but he lives in a modest house without the ostentation in which most rich people indulge. He has also helped countless people invest their money wisely in order to save enough for their children's education and for their retirement so they won't be dependent on welfare or on their children.

This isn't as simple as it first appears, Setanta.

I don't believe any of the septet will be simple, without or with regard to appearances, Miss D . . . i'm greatly enjoying everyone's responses in all the threads, and am very pleasantly surprised at how people have taken to them . . .

There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy . . .

I think the whole western culture is based partly on greed. We waste natural resources and exploit the worlds poor all the while trying to keep up with the jones. We prepackage everything for convience and ignore famine, war and disease of struggling nations unless it directly affects our lifestyles. In a world where such bounty exists even the poor in the west are fat, it is unspeakably wrong to allow starvation to continue anywhere. And yet it does. Easter chocolate is harvested by african slaves, asian brothels, sweatshops employ the poorest children. We all know about it and turn a blind eye.
Shame on us.
Ceili