Is greed good…???

[torilink]

Perhaps "Greed" as you are defining it would be strong desire (hunger/thirst), rather than "I've got to get mine before someone else gets it" kindof definition. In that case, then yes greed is good. desire is good.

[JiriNovotny]

I've just seen Wall Street and I am on this one with shamou. In the way it is presented by Gekko it's seems good. But you must never cross the cynicism line when being greedy.

[Shamou]

Originally Posted by JiriNovotny

I've just seen Wall Street and I am on this one with shamou. In the way it is presented by Gekko it's definitely good.

Thank you Jiri... a great movie and very inspirational... here is what Wikipedia says about it...

While the producers of the movie Wall Street clearly intended to portray this character as a villain, ironically enough, thanks to this movie, Gordon Gekko became a source of inspiration for countless number of investment bankers around the world. It has often been suggested that Wall Street turned out to be a most effective recruitment tool for the investment banking industry.

.

[JiriNovotny]

On Saturday May 5, 2007, the New York Times reported that a sequel film entitled, Money Never Sleeps, is currently in pre-production. Michael Douglas will reprise his role as Gordon Gekko

I am looking forward to it!

[Mark Lapierre]

Originally Posted by torilink

Perhaps "Greed" as you are defining it would be strong desire (hunger/thirst), rather than "I've got to get mine before someone else gets it" kindof definition. In that case, then yes greed is good. desire is good.

Yes, I like that. "gotta get mine before someone else gets it" instead of "gotta get mine, even if it's forcefully taken from someone else."

[Shamou]

Originally Posted by JiriNovotny

I am looking forward to it!

Thanks for the tip... I will not want to miss that...!

.

[Amadeus]

My definition of greed is "taking" more than "giving" when it comes to business, personal or anything else. There is an equilibrium in life that makes everybody pay up eventually for what they are not giving.

[Shamou]

Originally Posted by Amadeus

My definition of greed is "taking" more than "giving" when it comes to business, personal or anything else.

In business, if you don't take more than you give... you go broke...

There is an equilibrium in life that makes everybody pay up eventually for what they are not giving.

Who or what is to say how much you should give back...??? Not that I don't believe in giving back (see my signature) but I doubt the veracity of that equilibrium law... And the reason that I doubt it is the fact that I have seen many people concentrate on doing good deeds all their lives expecting to be paid back... but they very rarely were...

.

[jamestl2]

I agree with the basic understanding that greed is good.

I believe that without greed there is:
No innovation
No jobs
No productivity
No capitalism
No incentive to create
No desire to succeed
No passion in life

Greed quite often gets cast in a negative light because people without much worth like to point and accuse wealthy people of being too selfish (while some of them probably are), which makes them feel better about themselves.

I think the real question should be:
How much greed is too much?

Also, I’m going to try to rent Wall Street this weekend to see what it is all about.

[Shamou]

Originally Posted by jamestl2

Also, I’m going to try to rent Wall Street this weekend to see what it is all about.

With that attitude I predict that you will become a tremendous success...

Gordon Gekko is not a paragon of virtue... but he certainly is a model for focus, intensity, drive and self-confidence...

PS. Don't forget the pop corn...

.

[jamestl2]

Just saw the movie and I thought it was pretty good.

One of the more memorable quotes for me is when Gekko and Fox were in the limizine and they stop near a street corner and the see a homeless person standing next to an average businessman and Gekko remarks:

"Do you know what the difference is between those two men? Sheer Luck"

[Shamou]

Originally Posted by jamestl2

Just saw the movie and I thought it was pretty good.

One of the more memorable quotes for me is when Gekko and Fox were in the limizine and they stop near a street corner and the see a homeless person standing next to an average businessman and Gekko remarks:

"Do you know what the difference is between those two men? Sheer Luck"

For the most memorable quotes in Wall Street...

.

[theknightwhosaysni-NI]

Originally Posted by Shamou

Could not greed equate with a great passion...???

The good part of greed is that it is a powerful motivator. In some cases, I believe it can equate with great passion in the motivation it provides to accomplish things and pursue goals. Imagine someone extremely greedy for money...This person will probably become rich.

However, greed is defined as "selfish excessive or uncontrolled desire for possession or pursuit of money, wealth, food, or other possessions, especially when this denies the same goods to others" (Wikipedia).
So I wouldn't say greed is good. My feeling is that greed invovles attachment to material things.

In my opinion, the equivalent of greed without attachment would be a better thing. (I don't know if there is a word for that).

[Shamou]

Originally Posted by theknightwhosaysni-NI

In my opinion, the equivalent of greed without attachment would be a better thing. (I don't know if there is a word for that).

That's why we use "greed" for lack of a better word...

BTW- What's "The knight who says ni...???"

.

[Uplift]

Originally Posted by Shamou

That's why we use "greed" for lack of a better word... :
.

Interesting observation. Are we lacking a word to describe the drive for fullfillment or success of all, or complete benefit of all? I am interested, can anyone think of or find a word that expresses that?

[Shamou]

Originally Posted by Uplift

Interesting observation. Are we lacking a word to describe the drive for fullfillment or success of all, or complete benefit of all? I am interested, can anyone think of or find a word that expresses that?

That's an easy one.... Utopia...

.

[Uplift]

Originally Posted by Shamou

That's an easy one.... Utopia...

.

Good answer! Then I am certain utopia is good and desirable, not greed.

[theknightwhosaysni-NI]

Originally Posted by Shamou

BTW- What's "The knight who says ni...???"

It's taken from Monty Python's movie The Holy Grail, you know, the funny knights who say "NI", NI!

there's a video of them

[Shamou]

Originally Posted by theknightwhosaysni-NI

It's taken from Monty Python's movie The Holy Grail, you know, the funny knights who say "NI", NI!

there's a video of them

Thanks for the info... I have no seen any Monty Python in a long, long time... sorry...

.

[Amarena]

I think greed is an awful thing. It pulls out the worst in people. I know that some think it makes economy grow, but…what about us, humans? We are not objects. When I think about a greedy person, I can only make a sentence similar to this : “He/She suffers of greed.” . You know what I’m saying? “Suffers.”
And it is sad, because we all suffer of greed once in a while.

[Amadeus]

Shamou,
You said:
"In business, if you don't take more than you give... you go broke"

That is completely not true. Money is just a replacement for bartering. Back in the day I would trade you my apples for your medical services, just like on Little House. You are giving a value in exchange for money. In turn you can take that money and buy a product or get a service.

If you take more than you give or take and not give anything back you might call it stealing if the person does not want you to have. You may think you are getting the better deal on an exchangement. That is in the eye of the beholder.

When you went to school for chiropractics, you spent a lot of money and time. Now you are getting paid a good amount per adjustment. However, you had to pay a great deal yourself and that goes down on every adjustment you make.

[Shamou]

Originally Posted by Amadeus

Shamou,
You said:
"In business, if you don't take more than you give... you go broke"

That is completely not true.

I don't understand your reasoning...

When you went to school for chiropractics, you spent a lot of money and time. Now you are getting paid a good amount per adjustment. However, you had to pay a great deal yourself and that goes down on every adjustment you make.

When I went to Chiropractic School I had to pay some money... however that investment was returned to me 100,000 fold... that is why I'm not broke...

However, if I keep on taking courses where I pay more than I get back... I will eventually go broke...

Is there something wrong with that picture...???

.

[Shamou]

The point is that you can't be too greedy. -- Donald Trump

.

[Uplift]

Originally Posted by Shamou

The point is that you can't be too greedy. -- Donald Trump

.

Thats not what he said to Ivana Trump when she took him to the cleaners. So no prenuptials for Donny these days?

[Shamou]

Originally Posted by Uplift

Thats not what he said to Ivana Trump when she took him to the cleaners. So no prenuptials for Donny these days?

Heck... what's a few millions to get rid of excess luggage...

.

[Uplift]

Originally Posted by Shamou

Heck... what's a few millions to get rid of excess luggage...

.

Yeh, I can remember Ivana Trump saying something like that to the press. Certainly put the shits up him for the next shot. I'll bet he's praying she's not so greedy. The lawyers will be licking their lips!

[medaille]

While we're playing the movie quote game, how does everyone feel about this 5th element dialogue?

Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg: It's nice to see you again, Father.
Priest Vito Cornelius: Ah, I remember you now. The so-called art dealer.
Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg: I'm glad you got your memory back. Because you're gonna need it.
[directs his men out of his office]
Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg: Where are the stones?
Priest Vito Cornelius: I don't know. And even if I did know, I wouldn't tell somebody like you.
Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg: Why? What's wrong with me?
Priest Vito Cornelius: I try to serve life. But you only... seem to want to destroy it.
Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg: Oh, Father, you're so wrong. Let me explain.
[closes office door, places an empty glass on desk]
Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg: Life, which you so nobly serve, comes from destruction, disorder and chaos. Take this empty glass. Here it is, peaceful, serene and boring. But if it is...
[pushes glass off table]
Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg: destroyed...
Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg: [robot cleaners move to clean broken glass] Look at all these little things. So busy now. Notice how each one is useful. What a lovely ballet ensues so full of form and color. Now, think about all those people that created them. Technicians, engineers, hundreds of people who'll be able to feed their children tonight so those children can grow up big and strong and have little teeny weeny children of their own, and so on and so forth. Thus, adding to the great chain... of life.
Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg: [Desk prepares a glass of water and a bowl of fruit] You see, Father, by creating a little destruction, I'm actually encouraging life. In reality, you and I are in the same business. Cheers.
[drinks water with cherry, only to choke on cherry stuck in throat. Zorg frantically presses all buttons on his desk in an attempt to get something to clear his throat]
Priest Vito Cornelius: Where's the robot to pat you in the back? Or the engineer? Or their children, maybe?
[Desk brings out Zorg's pet Picasso; Zorg motions it to try and help him]
Priest Vito Cornelius: There, you see how all your so-called power counts for absolutely nothing? How your entire empire of destruction comes... crashing down. All because of one little... cherry.
[Slaps Zorg in the back, causing him to spit the cherry at Picasso]
Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg: [opens doors, throws Cornelius to guards] You saved my life, and in return, I'll spare yours... for now.
Priest Vito Cornelius: You're a monster, Zorg.
Jean-Baptiste Emanuel Zorg: I know.

[medaille]

For me, greed is a fear based behavior. There is a lack of gratitude associated with it as well. Anyone who loves life, would not want to compromise someone elses attempt at fulfilling their life while "getting theirs". Greed doesn't understand that concept.

[rwarlick]

Greed is a powerful motivator when used at the right time, the right oportunity. Whether good or bad depends on the outcome. Good for you can mean bad for someone else and vice versa. Unchecked, it can lead to ruin.

Greed motivates the sucker to hand over his life savings in the hopes of doubling it overnight. I love it when you hear stories in the news of people being swindled out of their life savings or some other prized possession. They run to the press or the police crying foul, never to learn the lesson, never to master the passion.

[jamestl2]

I recently wrote an article on my website about this subject:

Top 10 Reasons Greed is Favorable

I know greed has some negativity attached to it, but I wanted to emphasize on its positives.