35 replies to this topic

[August1991]

IMHO, there is a big difference between power and money. And the difference is apparent in families.

Power is the ability to lead, provide direction. Money is a claim on a resource.

[Jack Weber]

Wrong!!!

Money is simply a mode of exchange...

However,the vast accumulation of that mode of exchange acquires power in society...

Of course,it all depends on how one uses,or abuses,that power is the issue...

Another huge societal issue is how concentrated that power is.Whever it has become too concentrated at the top,historically speaking,things have gone very badly for the few that have it...And even worse things come out of those bad things...

Edited by Jack Weber, 09 March 2011 - 02:56 AM.

[Michael Hardner]

Money can be traded for power, and vice versa.

But there is an exchange rate that is punitive.

[GostHacked]

Money can be traded for power, and vice versa.

But there is an exchange rate that is punitive.

Money can't be traded to knowledge. And knowledge is the ultimate power.

[Michael Hardner]

Money can't be traded to knowledge. And knowledge is the ultimate power.

Money can buy a university degree, and a dead-end job at the end of 4 years. Where are we then ?

[GostHacked]

Money can buy a university degree, and a dead-end job at the end of 4 years. Where are we then ?

That is not the knowledge I am referring to. Knowledge is the understanding the bigger picture. It is understanding what our world is like and where it is going. Knowledge is understanding history as to not repeat it. Knowledge is being aware that our governments are crooks.

Knowledge is something you seek out yourself, and I don't think it can't be taught in schools.

[M.Dancer]

IMHO, there is a big difference between power and money. And the difference is apparent in families.

Power is the ability to lead, provide direction. Money is a claim on a resource.

Hannah Arendt certainly believed so. The European Jews had money...but no power.

[Topaz]

Coming into money, like a lottery, you have the power to get rid of all your money problems but then you suddenly are dealing with NEW money problems and it all depends on the person and how they deal with stress. Money and power doesn't necessarily bring you happiness either.

[scouterjim]

IMHO, there is a big difference between power and money. And the difference is apparent in families.

Power is the ability to lead, provide direction. Money is a claim on a resource.

Don't tell the Republicans that. They will have fits.

[Moonlight Graham]

I'd define power, in social terms, as the ability to make and/or influence other people to do as you wish.

Money is money. We buy stuff with it. But it is a great source of power, since money buys power. Money can make and/or influence other people to do as you wish.

But there are other sources of power other than money of course.

[August1991]

I'd define power, in social terms, as the ability to make and/or influence other people to do as you wish.

I'd agree with that definition. And in a family, the person with power is the person who can turn the conversation or opinion to her/his will. And that person sometimes holds the purse strings, but not always.

----

Money can buy a university degree, and a dead-end job at the end of 4 years. Where are we then ?

Hannah Arendt certainly believed so. The European Jews had money...but no power.

These two posts, combined with the fact that women now form a majority of university students, make me think more about my OP.

I have heard people (including Jews) say that the Golden Rule is: "He who has the gold, makes the rules." But is that true?

It seems to me that "power" comes from a reputation for making good choices. We trust or defer to someone who makes good choices. If you make good choices, then you may accumulate money. But it is wrong to assume that someone with money has made good choices.

----

I happen to think that families are very smart about this distinction. There are family members with money, and there are family members with power. Sometimes the person with money also has power. But not always.

Edited by August1991, 10 March 2011 - 10:05 PM.

[Pliny]

Money and power both enable a person to have things their way but both alone don't guarantee it.

Power implies position and ability to enforce one's will moreso than money which simply offers a person choices and a means to get his way.

I think I will buy an ice cream cone.

I think I will have that kid's ice cream cone.

It's something to discuss and mull over. I'm sure a lot has been written about it.

[Scotty]

Money can't be traded to knowledge. And knowledge is the ultimate power.

Money can buy private detectives to find out whose sleeping with whom, who's cheating and stealing, where the bodies are buried. Money can buy education and tutoring. Money can buy private advice, as in an investment advisory, or accountant to advise you how to avoid taxes. Money can buy access to those private intelligence offerings that some of the security corporations offer up to other corporations for a price.

Given enough money I could find out everything there is to know about you. Money CAN buy knowledge.

[GostHacked]

Money can buy private detectives to find out whose sleeping with whom, who's cheating and stealing, where the bodies are buried. Money can buy education and tutoring. Money can buy private advice, as in an investment advisory, or accountant to advise you how to avoid taxes. Money can buy access to those private intelligence offerings that some of the security corporations offer up to other corporations for a price.

Given enough money I could find out everything there is to know about you. Money CAN buy knowledge.

You can find out everything about me, but you still won't 'know' me.

[Scotty]

You can find out everything about me, but you still won't 'know' me.

Once I've bought all that information on you I'll hire behavioural psychologists who will then tell me everything about how you think and behave.