We recently visited the Newport Mansions during the holidays which got me to watch The Gilded Age on HBO and take some books out from the library on it. I can’t stop pondering the complexities of how awful capitalism was in that era, but the rich folks’ charitable contributions from that era are still part of important community infrastr…
We recently visited the Newport Mansions during the holidays which got me to watch The Gilded Age on HBO and take some books out from the library on it. I can’t stop pondering the complexities of how awful capitalism was in that era, but the rich folks’ charitable contributions from that era are still part of important community infrastructure & buildings today and where we would be without them. I am even more fascinated by today’s equivalent of the robber barons (Bezos, Musk) and how little they contribute to society compared to their historical counterparts. Good for those who give back at least.
Tracy I wanted to thank you again for this comment. Sam Harris today wrote a piece calling on the family that owns all the almond fields in California to step up and help rebuild LA:
It got me thinking about your comment and the relationship/obligations of wealthy people who have obtained their wealth through ethically dubious but completely legal avenues. I'm coming around ...
We recently visited the Newport Mansions during the holidays which got me to watch The Gilded Age on HBO and take some books out from the library on it. I can’t stop pondering the complexities of how awful capitalism was in that era, but the rich folks’ charitable contributions from that era are still part of important community infrastructure & buildings today and where we would be without them. I am even more fascinated by today’s equivalent of the robber barons (Bezos, Musk) and how little they contribute to society compared to their historical counterparts. Good for those who give back at least.
This is a very good point
Billionaires (and those close to it) benefit mightily from donating -- read here for more. This is why tax rates matter read more here: https://ips-dc.org/the-true-cost-of-billionaire-philanthropy-how-the-taxpayer-subsidizes-stockpiled-wealth/#:~:text=For%20every%20dollar%20a%20billionaire,gains%2C%20estate%20and%20gift%20taxes.
Tracy I wanted to thank you again for this comment. Sam Harris today wrote a piece calling on the family that owns all the almond fields in California to step up and help rebuild LA:
https://substack.com/home/post/p-154700828
It got me thinking about your comment and the relationship/obligations of wealthy people who have obtained their wealth through ethically dubious but completely legal avenues. I'm coming around ...