There’s nothing more joyous than finding counter examples that show weaknesses in my people-related stereotypes and mental models. As a child, i thought that all wealthy people (and all politicians, professors and “esteemed” people in society) had to be brilliant – how else would they have earned so much money? Of course, when i realized that this wasn’t true (and rushed off to liberal utopia land), i started having a cynical view that all wealthy people had to be corrupt, evil and politically incorrect.
Of course, i’ve met people who accidentally made money doing what they love (and used it wisely such as the one who decided to affect SF Late Night Culture); i adjusted my model to discount them. I’ve also met people who are wealthy because they are famous, but they exist in another model for me that includes people who gain money and wealth to deal with their own insecurities. Sadly, though, most people that i have met who have acquired wealth have done so through some questionable means and don’t really use it in a way that i respect.
Last night, i realized that i don’t know any consciously capitalist, socially righteous, psychologically grounded, intellectually fascinated people. Of course, i realized that by finding someone who fit that bill, which completely startled me and required me to adjust my model of people to fit such a character. People like this give me hopes for humanity and better yet, the fact that people like this exist in my sphere makes me love the culture i’m playing in right now even more.
Frankly, i need to stop running into and having drinks with really interesting people. San Francisco is just continuing to blow my mind and make it really hard for me to not run out and constantly play with ideas and other people. There is no doubt that SF is just one big adult playground for liberal motivated intelligent people and it’s just way too much fun to play kid again.
They exist, but boy are they rare. I spent the early part of my career working for upper middle class and wealthy folks as a private tutor, and most of them are NOT people who are intelligent, interesting, or even very charitable. I went through a minor mental crisis when I realized that the magazine I used to work for, Mother Jones, forever liberal and progressive in its outlook, existed only due to the charity of a handful of wealthy people, most notably the hiers to the Hochschild diamond fortune and Taco Bell. In fact, any liberal publishing interest that can afford to pay top writing salaries tends to fall into this camp (The New Yorker always runs at a loss, kept in existence by a wealthy family whose name escapes me).
As you might already know, if SF blows your mind, spend some time hobnobbing in Manhattan. You’ll meet the internationally wealthy elite, rich intellectuals, and the occasional Nicky Hilton. 😉 LA, on the other hand, will make you barf.
SF blows my mind in a good way because people are typically intelligent and interesting (based on my metrics, of course). New York to me seems to be more about money for money sake while LA seems to be more about money for fame sake. Am i wrong?
::sigh:: Sadly, i know that there are a lot of not so good wealthy people out there, people that are more about controlling the masses than helping them. The classic Salvation Army approach: keep them down and remind them that heaven is where everything will get resolved. Think Sam Walton…
Dinner and Drinks with the Good Dr Ellis
Met up with Josh Ellis of Zenarchery fame for dinner, drinks and wandering. He’s up in the Bay to meet…
nicky hilton am a nigeria guy i just saw on one progamm on satelite on one edition call operah i like to know you more and also i like the way you do.i will be very grateful if you reply the mail.take care.