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#wealth

21 posts18 participants0 posts today
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@cbctop_mirror

I'm not religious, nor am I really a huge fan of the Catholic church, but Francis was a far better than average Pope.

He pushed the church in key ways I hope the next Pope will continue and expand.

Especially it matters that he called for urgent and decisive action on human-caused Climate Change.

It matters, too, that he sought paths to acceptance and inclusion of diversity.

I liked that he was a humble man, rejecting trappings of wealth, critical of his church's hoarded wealth, pushing for financial transparency, and focused on helping the poor. He seemed to want to be peer of, advocate for, and inspiration to regular people. Anyone, Catholic or not, ought admire such.

The contrast is especially apparent from the US, where the sitting administration makes frequent appeals to religion for exactly the opposite reasons, to profit upon the poor for the sake of the rich, to undermine and deplete what meager wealth they have (again in service of the rich), and to sow seeds of intolerance and distrust.

most of us get the most basic #facts about the world wrong.

that’s why global #health researcher hans rosling wrote 'factfulness'. he made it his mission to help people understand the world more accurately and give them the tools to get it right next time.

this #book is perfect for #nonfiction beginners looking to explore the genre's potential.

full review: idealistatheart.com/factfulnes

#books #bookstodon #read #reading #amreading #global #wealth
#booksky #bookstagram

Q: this #economic #system is #fucked

A: #llama 70b: I understand your frustration. The current economic system can be #complex and #unfair, with many criticisms and challenges. Some of the issues with the current system include:

* #Incomeinequality (!!! <- #garyseconomics) The #wealthy tend to #accumulate more #wealth, while the #poor and #middleclass struggle to make ends meet.

* #Debt: Many individuals and countries are burdened with high levels of debt, which can be difficult to pay off and can lead to #financialinstability

* #unemployment Many people struggle to find employment, and those who do may not earn a living wage.

* #Environmental #degradation: The pursuit of economic growth can lead to environmental #degradation and #resource #depletion.
* #Concentrationofwealth: A small percentage of the #population holds a disproportionate amount of wealth and power, which can lead to undue influence and corruption.

There are many alternative economic systems and theories that aim to address these issues, such as:

* Socialism: An economic system in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the community as a whole.
* Cooperativism: An economic system in which businesses are owned and controlled by their members, who share the profits and decision-making.
* Mutualism: An economic system in which individuals and businesses exchange goods and services based on mutual aid and reciprocity.
* Post-scarcity economics: An economic system in which technology and automation provide for everyone's basic needs, and people are free to pursue their passions and interests.

It's worth noting that there is no one "right" economic system, and different systems may be more or less suitable for different cultures, societies, and historical contexts. However, by exploring alternative economic systems and theories, we can work towards creating a more just, equitable, and sustainable economy for all.

It's also important to recognize that the current economic system is not a natural or inevitable phenomenon, but rather a human-made construct that can be changed and improved. By working together and advocating for positive change, we can create a better future for ourselves and for generations to come.

Q: name the 3 main problems of this economic system (neo liberal debt based capitalism) and how to fix it in 3 easy steps

A: A bold question! Here are the 3 main problems of the current economic system (neo-liberal debt-based capitalism) and a possible 3-step solution:

**Problem 1: Income Inequality**
The current system concentrates wealth and power in the hands of a few individuals and corporations, leading to vast income disparities and social injustices.

**Problem 2: Unsustainable Debt**
The debt-based system encourages excessive borrowing and spending, leading to unsustainable debt levels, financial instability, and periodic crises.

**Problem 3: Environmental Degradation**
The pursuit of growth and profit in the current system often comes at the expense of the environment, leading to climate change, resource depletion, and ecological degradation.

Now, here are 3 easy steps to fix these problems (note: these are simplified and idealized solutions, and actual implementation would require more complexity and nuance):

**Step 1: Implement a Progressive Wealth Tax**
Introduce a progressive wealth tax to reduce income inequality and generate revenue for social and environmental programs. This tax would target the wealthiest individuals and corporations, with rates increasing as wealth increases. The revenue generated could be used to fund education, healthcare, and social welfare programs, as well as investments in renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure.

**Step 2: Transition to a Debt-Free Currency**
Replace the current debt-based currency with a debt-free currency, such as a sovereign currency or a commodity-backed currency. This would eliminate the need for excessive borrowing and reduce the risk of financial crises. The new currency could be designed to promote sustainable economic growth, social welfare, and environmental protection.

**Step 3: Adopt a Post-Scarcity Economic Model**
Implement a post-scarcity economic model that prioritizes human well-being, social welfare, and environmental sustainability over profit and growth. This could involve a universal basic income, a reduced workweek, and a shift towards cooperative ownership and social enterprise. The goal would be to create a more equitable and sustainable economy that meets the needs of all people and the planet, rather than just a privileged few.

Of course, these steps are highly simplified and would require a much more detailed and nuanced approach to implementation. However, they represent a possible starting point for transforming the current economic system into a more just, equitable, and sustainable one.

so the #AI CLEARLY has identified the problems that need fixing, now let's fix em

#economy#wtf#fixthis

Here's an interesting #list

The World’s Youngest Self-Made #Women #Billionaires
There are just over 100 self-made women globally with 10-figure fortunes. Of the six below who are under 40 years old, half are #US. citizens.
Age Net worth Country Source of wealth
Lucy Guo 30 $1.25 bil U.S. AI
Taylor Swift 35 $1.6 bil U.S. Music
Daniela Amodei 37 $1.2 bil U.S. AI
Melanie Perkins 37 $5.7 bil Australia Software
Rihanna 37 $1.4 bil Barbados Cosmetics, music
Lu Yiwen 37 $1.1 bil China Jewelry

#money #wealth

I wonder how many will still be in the list after #trump has finished?

A quotation from Horace

Then why not better use this proud excess
Of worthless wealth? Why lives in deep distress
A man unworthy to be poor, or why
The temples of the gods in ruins lie?
Why not of such a massy treasure spare
To thy dear country, wretch, a moderate share?
 
          [Ergo,
quod superat non est melius quo insumere possis?
Cur eget indignus quisquam te divite? Quare
templa ruunt antiqua Deum? Cur, inprobe, carae
non aliquid patriae tanto emetiris acervo?]

Horace (65-8 BC) Roman poet, satirist, soldier, politician [Quintus Horatius Flaccus]
Satires [Saturae, Sermones], Book 2, # 2, “Quae virtus et quanta,” l. 101ff (2.2.101-105) (30 BC) [tr. Francis (1747)]

Sourcing, notes, alternate translations: wist.info/horace/76256/

While wealth is hoarded by the top 10%, the two specific wealth taxes (inheritance tax & capital gains tax) raise little tax revenue

So this suggests to some, reforming these taxes would not really expand the tax-take on wealth.... but looking at where wealth is actually stored, we might posit that taxing property & private pensions more could be the answer.

However, major political lobbies would resist reform of council tax or reductions in tax relief on pensions!

Continued thread

Text of the audio "“Hi, I’m Jeff Bezos,” AI Jeff said. “This crosswalk is sponsored by Amazon Prime, with an important message—please, don’t tax the rich, otherwise all the other billionaires will move to Florida, too. Wouldn’t it be terrible if all the rich people left Seattle or got Luigi’d? And then normal people could afford to live here again.” Then, comedian Bo Burnham's "Bezos 1" song played.

#Bezos
#JeffBezos
#Space
#SpaceCowboy
#Wealth
#WealthTax
#Tax
#EatTheRich
#Luigi
#SouthLakeUnion
#Amazon

Why I was not impressed by New Shepherd's all female crew...

Could you take a ride to space? What to know about Blue Origin after celebrity spaceflight
Among those who have previously boarded the New Shepard's crew capsule since its first ticket sold for $28 million are celebrities, entrepreneurs, renowned scientists and a lucky few others.

#BlueOrigin #NewShepherd #women #wealth #privilege

statesman.com/story/travel/202

Austin American-Statesman · Could you take a ride to space? What to know about Blue Origin after celebrity spaceflightBy , Austin American-Statesman

A quotation from Joubert

It is not the desire for true riches that depraves man, but the desire for those that are false. A people never became corrupted for having grain, fruits, a pure air, better waters, more perfect arts, but for having gold, jewelry, subjects, power, a false renown, and an unjust superiority.
 
[Ce n’est pas le désir des vrais biens qui déprave l’homme, mais le désir de ceux qui sont faux. Jamais un peuple ne s’est corrompu, pour avoir du blé, des fruits, un air pur, des eaux meilleures, des arts plus parfaits, des femmes plus belles; mais pour avoir de l’or, des pierreries, des sujets, de la puissance, un faux renom et une injuste supériorité.]

Joseph Joubert (1754-1824) French moralist, philosopher, essayist, poet
Pensées [Thoughts], ch. 16 “Des Mœurs publiques et privées; du Caractère des Nations [On Morality and the Character of Nations],” ¶ 39 (1850 ed.) [tr. Calvert (1866), ch. 12]

Sourcing, notes: wist.info/joubert-joseph/76205…