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diff --git a/content/entry/a-nation-of-temporarily-embarrassed-millionaires.md b/content/entry/a-nation-of-temporarily-embarrassed-millionaires.md index 90d2a75..87c323e 100644 --- a/content/entry/a-nation-of-temporarily-embarrassed-millionaires.md +++ b/content/entry/a-nation-of-temporarily-embarrassed-millionaires.md @@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ Nonetheless The Gravel Institute is making a really important point here. One th For one, people's expectations of happiness given wealth don't match reality. Studies show having more wealth doesn't make you significantly happier after your basic needs are met. Maybe you'll be able to temporarily distract yourself from the war zone inside your head with unsustainable consumption of goods and services, increased social status, drugs, travel experiences, etc. But it won't hold you over for long. It's just not in your biology to be satisfied with what you've got. And if you're already content living in the present moment, you don't try to fill the void with wealth anyway because there isn't one. # You Will Never Be Rich -Not only are Americans wrong that what they need in life is extreme wealth. As The Gravel Institute points out, Americans are wrong to think they even have a chance at getting rich. It's not hyperbole either that Americans think they can get rich. Many Americans really do think that. I know this isn't rigorous, but just look at the [search results](https://web.archive.org/web/20211119185642id_/https://vid.mint.lgbt/search?q=you+will+never+be+rich) for the search terms "You Will Never Be Rich". The most popular videos are about how to get rich, not about how unlikely it is. Anecdotally, I've known Americans who have dreamed of getting rich, whatever that means. None of them are. I think their belief that they can become rich stems from the lie they were told as children that they're exceptional. +Not only are Americans wrong that what they need in life is extreme wealth. As The Gravel Institute points out, Americans are wrong to think they even have a chance at getting rich. It's not hyperbole either that Americans think they can get rich. Many Americans really do think that. Anecdotally, I've known Americans who have dreamed of getting rich, whatever that means. None of them are. I think their belief that they can become rich stems from the lie they were told as children that they're exceptional. When I point out how unlikely it is for Americans to get rich, they respond with examples of people who "made it". But that doesn't change the statistics. Those people were extremely lucky. Personally knowing somebody who became rich doesn't mean it will happen for you. If you know somebody who got rich, ask yourself, do they seem significantly happier than before they were rich? Probably not. So why do you want to be rich anyway? |