Exploring the overlooked downsides of wealth and the limited role of money in happiness. Examining the shift in perspective, admiration versus envy, and the connection between success and worry. Discussing the psychological challenges of retirement and inheritance for wealthy individuals. Exploring the consequences of reputations and the importance of present happiness over wealth.
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Quick takeaways
The downsides of wealth can be more jarring than expected when the benefits are so obvious, and the relationship between money and happiness is tenuous.
Envy can arise when success is flaunted, leading to a decrease in support and tolerance, even triggering negative consequences.
Deep dives
Money's limited role in happiness
Having money does play a role in independence and autonomy, but it plays a smaller role in overall happiness than many assume. Happiness is found in things like loving family, health, friendship, and a sense of purpose, which money cannot guarantee. The downsides of wealth, such as marital problems and isolation, can be more jarring than expected when the benefits are so obvious. The relationship between money and happiness is tenuous, and realizing this can be a painful admission.
Admiration versus envy
People tend to admire those who are working towards success rather than those who have already achieved it. The transition from admiration to envy can be difficult to spot, especially for the rich. When success is flaunted, envy can arise, leading to a decrease in support and tolerance. The association between advertising success and gaining support can backfire, as envy can outweigh admiration. Even minor associations with successful individuals can trigger envy and negative consequences.
The challenges of wealth and feedback
Wealth can change how people interact with you, treating you differently or wanting something from you. The richer someone becomes, the less likely people are to provide honest feedback about their behavior or point out their flaws. The reflexive association between wealth and wisdom often leads people to take the wealthy individual's words seriously, even when they may not have merit. The absence of feedback and an accurate perspective can hinder personal growth and decision-making.
Measuring wealth is easy. You just count it up. Measuring some of the downsides of wealth is so much harder and more nuanced. They can be so nuanced and hard to measure that many people won’t even believe they exist. A downside to wealth? How could that possibly be?
Let me propose that the absurdity of talking about the downside of wealth is part of why wealth doesn’t tend to make people as happy as they thought it would.
When the benefits of money are so obvious but the downsides are so subtle, the downsides you didn’t anticipate can be more jarring than the benefits you expected.
I want more money, of course. Almost everyone does, albeit for different reasons.
This is not an anti-wealth list -- just a collection of subtle downsides that are easy to ignore, and so common you may as well call them the only true laws of getting rich.
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