[beaned]

They don't actually own the resources, that'd be untenable for any individual or even large family. They own a token that represents a claim to resources, and realistically they can only use so much for themselves.

The difference in actual material wealth between the rich and the poor isn't that excessive today. Beyond a certain threshold you're only buying novelty. And the gap is shrinking every year.

[Ferret7446]

Crucially, when they spend the money, it goes to someone else. Either they do nothing with it and the money is effectively scrap, or they spend the money for $1B in resource and give others the money which they can claim for $1B in resources.

Edit: money kind of represents a debt society owes to the individual. By owning the most money, it actually means that society is most indebted to them, or that they have loaned that many resources/value to society which has not yet been paid back, ironically enough.

[beaned]

Further, resources decay. Land is taxed, bananas rot, cars rust. If you purchase $1B of actual hard assets with $0 left, you will not be able to maintain the upkeep. They will be spoiled or sold by the next year.

[quickthrower2]

Comments seem to be from a parallel universe.

You buy $1bn of commercial real estate you get $100m/y to maintain the upkeep in rent. You will be able to get line of credit to cover you for unexpected expense.

[beaned]

Running a business requires continual effort, it's a different question than simply "owning resources."

You could do that of course. But then you probably don't actually own the resource directly. You probably own the company in the form of shares, similar to money, another tradable token.

You're certainly not using the real estate for yourself like the comment we were replying to was saying. Indeed, if it's being leased then it's probably being used entirely by others!

[quickthrower2]

The difference is huge. In practice you get a different set of laws if you have more money. They are more favorable to you. You get to have your life saved. You get to influence politics, through lobbying and political campaign contributions. You get to avoid tax to a greater extent. You get to set up your kids to be rich too - they are default set up, no "American Dream" gauntlet for them to run. Etc. etc.