RoR: Forum

Excellent catch Bob. I hate the title, but it is a great article.

Post 1

Saturday, November 12, 2005 - 7:40am

Which brings up a point raised back when Stossel did the 'Greed" episode on 20/20 - what other word could be used?

As well as a parallel question - since 'greed' has always been referred to as gaining wealth at the expense of another, why strive to present it in a favorable light? [eg. it was a word which came into existance when the only source of gain came from, it seemed, the taking syndrone...]

(Edited by robert malcom on 11/12, 10:31am)

Post 2

Saturday, November 12, 2005 - 10:18am

I was pleased last night when ABC broadcast this updated version of the earlier "Greed" program. While they added some "softer" segments, they retained most of the good stuff from the original, including multiple quotations from Objectivist philosopher David Kelley. The contrast between the Stossel-produced segments featuring Kelley's comments, and the other two embodying the conventional political ethos, couldn't have been more stark.

Post 3

Saturday, November 12, 2005 - 11:00am

Interesting point, Robert. I noticed that this time around, Stossel got a good quote from Ted Turner. In the original show, Ted turned tail and ran. Apparently, he was under the spell of an evil sorceress or something...

Regarding the topic title, we will know that we have made progress if the next one is called "Can Greed be Bad?"

Post 4

Saturday, November 12, 2005 - 1:43pm

I don't consider greed so much as getting at the expense of another. I consider it a mindset. It usually involves trying to satisfy an unidentified desire through something else.

Post 5

Saturday, November 12, 2005 - 3:29pm

And I consider greed to mean,wanting more than you need.
One of us must be wrong,it must be me.

Post 6

Saturday, November 12, 2005 - 3:40pm

I don't have a ready answer for the best word, Greed probably wins by default. My wish is that there would be some way to remove Greed (excessive or reprehensible acquisitiveness ) being used by the general public as a synonym for Capitalism (creation rather than hording).

Post 7

Saturday, November 12, 2005 - 4:47pm

I am ambitious. You are greedy. He is avaricious.

Post 8

Saturday, November 12, 2005 - 5:55pm

"But Caesar was ambitious, and Caesar was an honorable man..."

No, sorry - that word won't really do... the problem, as I mentioned, is that 'greed' was/is a word which has always been defined as gaining in excess, where one's gain is another's loss... there never was another word given to explain a gaining in a sum-plus manner, so 'greed' was tacked to that usage as well, bringing the confusion, because many still not see the difference, and others not want a difference to be seen...

Post 9

Saturday, November 12, 2005 - 7:28pm