Friday, June 10, 2005

rich vs poor

Under what circumstances would the poor win against the rich? Give the competitors equal of everything material to begin with, and then set them off. Would the poor be more resourceful, or would the poor be more quick to give up? Would the rich falter at demeaning tasks while the poor have learned to tolerate almost anything? Which of the two groups would be best at sacrifice, forgiveness, sharing, cooperation or generosity?

I appreciate that generalizing these two groups isn't characteristic of my own methods or thinking, but for this one post, let us generalize and attribute stereotypical characteristics to these two groups and pit them against each other. Who would win?

7 comments:

Madamme said...

Maybe I am incapable of forcing myself to think in such grand stereotypes.

If you pitted the rich against the poor. . The outcome would be determined by which group has the better leader. )I think it's human nature to have someone in charge - The majority of us are followers at heart.) So, whatever leader had the best strategy, and could get their minions fired up for the cause the most I think would win the battle. There are some smart people who are poor. There are some dumb rich people. You need to look at the individuals.

But, with the stereotype that the poor are unmotivated and that's why they're poor, and the rich ARE motivated. . . Then the rich would win, based on the fact that the stereotypical poor would give up, or not work as hard. But that is also basing the rich on being self-made-men, and not old money. . .

There is no black and white.

Mr K said...

Heh. Are we assuming approximately even sidings in this titanic struggle? I mean, if we were to just pick the poor versus the rich in todays world the poor would win 'cause they completely outnumber the rich... (on a world scale I'm talking here)

But meh, as phoe says, one can expect some charismatic, cunning leaders amoungst the rich- whever they'd get power or the stupid old money who can command loyalty?

Its a tough one alright....

Krista said...

I think there are many people who have been both rich and poor in the same lifetime... so it would just depend on the capabilities of the individuals in each group--and what would your definitions of someone who is "rich" or "poor" be anyway?

Robbie said...

I think being rich and poor depends on a lot of factors. I just hope that everyone becomes rich, I have book tagged you btw:P
thanks for visiting and leaving your precious comments.

tmfrt said...

the premise is too vague...

"win" = what?

"equal of everything material" = but how much?

"rich" = ?
"poor" = ?

the rich of intelligence/wisdom are not always the rich of material... the poor of conscience are not always the poor of material...

damn I just can't think in general terms can I? :p

the only way the poor would win is if they are rich in areas not-material.. in which case, if you set them up of equal material standing, and the rich team is poor of mind, and the poor team is rich of mind, then the poor will win.

whereas, if the rich team is also rich of mind, they will win by leaps and bounds, 'cos "money makes the world go round"... win what, exactly? I am not sure. respect? power?

does:

rich = power ?

i guess that's a whole other can of worms... ahh i dunno what i'm saying, it's been a long, dreadful night. thank you for the mind-teaser though.

Phil Plasma said...

Thank you all for your replies, I don't have any answers to your questions, I was just looking to see what answers people would provide based on their own interpretation. You all did a fabulous jobs of both answering the question, and asking appropriate questions based on the original post I provided. Thanks!

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