That's really interesting. I have a friend who is a former - very successful - consultant who similarly believes people are primarily motivated by status rather than absolute wealth, and that anyone with the ability to spend on status goods (Rolex, Ferrari, etc.) should have most of it taxed away from them because it's all just status si…
That's really interesting. I have a friend who is a former - very successful - consultant who similarly believes people are primarily motivated by status rather than absolute wealth, and that anyone with the ability to spend on status goods (Rolex, Ferrari, etc.) should have most of it taxed away from them because it's all just status signaling, which they could do with a fraction of the income. No doubt most people have an element of relative status seeking. But top-tier consulting firms, like law firms, are pyramid hierarchies where anyone who is motivated by a mix of values is going to be selected out (into "real world" careers that allow for a mix of values). I accept that you are both reporting accurately what you see in your worlds, but suggest that you consider the possibility that the world you see is extremely unusual.
I have encountered yet another worldview that also considers taxes to be an afterthought. In that worldview (someone who worked at a university, where taxes are lower - but incomes also) the motivation was actually "having power over other people's lives". Again, I have no doubt that's a real thing, but I don't think it's terribly common - far more people want control over their own lives.
You discounted the couple having a child as being a particular situation, not typical. I suggest to you that, in fact, it's far closer to typical than the behavior of people who have made it - or aspire to - in a law firm.
That's really interesting. I have a friend who is a former - very successful - consultant who similarly believes people are primarily motivated by status rather than absolute wealth, and that anyone with the ability to spend on status goods (Rolex, Ferrari, etc.) should have most of it taxed away from them because it's all just status signaling, which they could do with a fraction of the income. No doubt most people have an element of relative status seeking. But top-tier consulting firms, like law firms, are pyramid hierarchies where anyone who is motivated by a mix of values is going to be selected out (into "real world" careers that allow for a mix of values). I accept that you are both reporting accurately what you see in your worlds, but suggest that you consider the possibility that the world you see is extremely unusual.
I have encountered yet another worldview that also considers taxes to be an afterthought. In that worldview (someone who worked at a university, where taxes are lower - but incomes also) the motivation was actually "having power over other people's lives". Again, I have no doubt that's a real thing, but I don't think it's terribly common - far more people want control over their own lives.
You discounted the couple having a child as being a particular situation, not typical. I suggest to you that, in fact, it's far closer to typical than the behavior of people who have made it - or aspire to - in a law firm.
I may be wrong, of course; it happens.
Good discussion! Thanks.