My Bathtub
I have a watch that costs around $40. Don’t get me wrong, if you can afford a watch that costs $40,000 go ahead, but it’s still 2:35pm. And this is the problem that all rich people have — once you get to basic functionality, life doesn’t really get any better.
Let me explain.
If you are reading this email on your own computer then you are well within the top 1% of the richest people walking on this planet today. The gap between you, me and the bottom 50% of the world’s population is massive and significant. We are talking real quality of life issues here — running water, heat and healthy food, not to mention basic healthcare.
Once a person hits the top 1%, it might seem that the next step up will result in a similar impact in one’s quality of life. That is, reaching the top 0.1% might suggest that there is a similar increase in life satisfaction above the people in the previous 0.9% (you and me).
Not!
That bath tub doesn’t give you a better bath than the one I own which costs 0.02% the price (give or take $10).
I’m sorry to tell you this, but the rich just can’t get richer.
This ultimate truth is the great social equalizer and creates more human equality than Karl Marx could have ever dreamt. That is, you and I have the same opportunity for happiness as Warren Buffet – in fact you might have the advantage. And if you know anything about Buffet, then you will know how true this is.
The only thing that is going to increase our sense of well-being, happiness, and self-satisfaction in life are things that we all have access to — family, friends and the pursuit of meaning. And no one has any greater advantage than anyone else, except you.
Why you?
Because you are reading this email.