[eldavido]

I'm not that rich. That said, two thoughts.

First, money at at level isn't earned to spend -- you're right about this. It's more a way of signaling status. Someone getting paid $30 million is less important than someone getting paid $40 million at the same company. This comes up a lot in athletics, too. It establishes your location in the pecking order, which is important in any hierarchical organization. You have to know who's boss.

Second, I think money can be a basis for talent competition. If one company offers $5mil/year and another offers $10mil, you'll probably take the $10 over the $5. Not that it will actually make a difference in your life, but just because it's 2x as much. Perhaps not everyone would make that choice and I think at those levels of wealth, it becomes quite a personal, idiosyncratic decision. But it does get hard to turn down.

Just some thoughts from a guy who isn't that rich.