08-16-2006, 02:36 PM
In my world the term “speculation” has implications that, while very, very legal, show a negative aspect.
Aside from inheritance or crime there are basically two ways to deal with wealth. Feel free to think of others I may have missed.
One is to create wealth - as in design, manufacture, farm, build or otherwise produce something of value for the human community.
The other is to manipulate wealth - as in buy, hold, sell. Manipulation is actually the most highly rewarded activity in capitalism. Stock markets, housing, stamp collecting, whatever.
I find it a bit depressing that the least productive method is the most rewarded. But that is the way it is and that may partly explain people’s instinctive disdain for “speculators”.
Whether an "investor" does so creatively (actually do something) or passively (do as little as possible) is where
the fine line lies.
Aside from inheritance or crime there are basically two ways to deal with wealth. Feel free to think of others I may have missed.
One is to create wealth - as in design, manufacture, farm, build or otherwise produce something of value for the human community.
The other is to manipulate wealth - as in buy, hold, sell. Manipulation is actually the most highly rewarded activity in capitalism. Stock markets, housing, stamp collecting, whatever.
I find it a bit depressing that the least productive method is the most rewarded. But that is the way it is and that may partly explain people’s instinctive disdain for “speculators”.
Whether an "investor" does so creatively (actually do something) or passively (do as little as possible) is where
the fine line lies.
Assume the best and ask questions.
Punaweb moderator
Punaweb moderator