[jenius]

Read the beginning of the article, was mildly interested. Kept reading about how he arbitrarily decided to book a helicopter ride and buy an expensive motorcycle through a texting service just to test it out, and was no longer sure if it was honestly a troll or not. Came here to see the comments, apparently was not a troll. Wow.

So the question I have here is, was he aware of how outrageously douchey this article comes off with the examples being off the cuff entirely over-the-top money blowing that he apparently regularly indulges in, or are rich people so in their own world that they don't even realize how normal people live and that writing something like this comes off as absurd to most people?

And another question that comes to mind too. He tried to make a startup that solved a similar problem a while ago, and mentioned this in the article. Are rich people seeking further conveniences for their already rather convenient lives entirely blind to the range of problems middle or lower class people deal with? Do they not care about these types of people and their problems because it simply not relevant to them?

I know this sounds very accusing of rich people, and while I am always personally a little shocked to see money squandered carelessly while so much suffering happens in the world, I honestly do not have anything against these people at all. Everyone has their own path in life and can and should make their own choices as they see fit. I am just honestly curious how it is rationalized, and the thought process surrounding it for people like this.

Edit: Did some googling and turned up these two quora answers:

- http://www.quora.com/Do-rich-people-feel-bad-or-guilty-when-...

- http://www.quora.com/How-do-rich-people-feel-about-the-fact-...

The answers given are essentially "they make excuses for themselves and set up situations that rationalize it, such as 'I deserve this' and 'I could never make enough of a difference', etc." I don't quite feel satisfied with this. I would like to hear an answer from a legitimately very rich person still just out of curiosity!

[oldmoney]

I do not know Justin and I can't speak for him, but it seems to me that he has earned every penny that he has.

> So the question I have here is, was he aware of how outrageously douchey this article comes off with the examples being off the cuff entirely over-the-top money blowing that he apparently regularly indulges in, or are rich people so in their own world that they don't even realize how normal people live and that writing something like this comes off as absurd to most people?

Your comment is more absurd than his spending habits. You are suggesting that he should be socially restrained in one form or the other from spending his hard earned money. From exercising his financial freedom (yes, the ability to spend money without worry is a hard won freedom) because of your own perceptions of class narratives.

To apply your logic to you, do you sacrifice 100% of your disposable income because some children somewhere are starving? Do you go out? Do you drink when you go out? Do you believe that those dollars couldn't save the life of someone dying from AIDS in a developing country? If yes, then why don't you work to give away every single penny you have to that cause? Why do you buy that beer and by doing so condemn that person to death?

Clearly you can see the fallacy over here. Not only are these problems something that can't be solved by throwing money at them - people have tried and failed at that, but there isn't a fixed pie or some upper limit of the gross value that can exist in this world. That Harley he bought paid for engine research in one form and the creation of a supply chain that could be used to build engines that can be adapted to the conditions of rural Zimbabwe.

However, beyond those fallacies lies the idea of freedom I initially talked about. It is important for us to make our own choices. In other words, what Justin does or does not do to solve broader social problems is his and his decision alone. He pays his taxes. You pay yours. What he does or he doesn't do with his dimes is quite simply none of your business.

[jpmoral]

I don't think this answers the quoted question at all. the question isn't about whether the money was earned or not, or even how it should be spent. Rather it's about the doucheyness of writing about it.

[oldmoney]

It answers the core of the questions he raised and linked to: is it wrong for the rich to have luxuries?

> I don't think this answers the quoted question at all. the question isn't about whether the money was earned or not, or even how it should be spent. Rather it's about the doucheyness of writing about it.

So you're telling me that someone writing about how they bought a motorcycle and a chopper trip is so offensive that they need to self-censor or be censored?

He has the right to write this piece and you have the right to not read it.

[jpmoral]

You're missing my point. No one is trying to take away anyone's rights, whether to make money, spend it, or write about it.

[jenius]

Just jumping in here to back you up jpmoral. In fact, I said in my original comment that I am not trying to tell anyone how to spend money and its these peoples' own lives and they can do what they want, right in the last paragraph. So I hope nobody was offended here.

On the other hand, the first reply above actually answers the question. Notice that, while cloaked as a rebuttal to my initial comment, it was actually a string of defenses as to how the author rationalizes spending money for himself, others, or both, which was precisely what I asked for. Let's take a look at the points made:

- I earned this money so I can spend it how I want

- I should not hold back on spending money because it's my personal freedom

- Do you give away 100% of your money? If not, you are no better than me so who are you to suggest this?

- We have tried to solve worldwide poverty problems and failed many times, so it won't make a difference if I donate

- The money I spend on luxurious things is helping society as it creates jobs and trickles down the supply chain, so anything I spend is actually good for the world

- It's none of your business how I spend my money

Pretty decent answer actually, when it comes down to it. The answer is simply that people come up with a relatively consistent number of ways that they can rationalize themselves spending excessively, and from these rationalizations build their psychological defense. In fact, many of the points in his answer are exactly the same as the ones from the quora threads linked in my edit above.

Now, my next question is whether any of these defenses are valid. My preliminary research indicates that a resounding "no" is the answer, however, I'm going to continue researching and do a separate writeup on this topic, as it's fairly extensive. If anyone from here is interested at all let me know on twitter or something (@jescalan) and I'll link you when it's done. This thread is fairly buried by now though so I assume not.

[ryanlol]

I really don't see how his spending makes this article come off as douchey.

[Swizec]

> Do they not care about these types of people and their problems because it simply not relevant to them?

Let me ask you a question: Would you rather sell to people with money or to people without money?

Personally I try to sell every product I make to people who have money. It's easier.