# Choosing Less By:: [[Brian Heath]] 2023-06-09 There is a moment in the television series *Succession* where a character from a middle-class background brags to his billionaire family members that he is set for life because he will inherit $5 million. The wealthy family members ridicule him saying $5 million will make him the poorest rich person in America and the weakest strong man at the circus. They claim it will drive him crazy. To most people, $5 million is a lot of money, but around the massively wealthy, it is enough to get into the club but not enough to be respected. As humans, we constantly compare ourselves to others. For many, it establishes one's self-worth. Even if you try to avoid it, your surroundings influence your feelings about your situation. If you live in a billionaire neighborhood, $5 million feels like you are at the bottom of the ladder. You can never afford what they have. If you live in a middle-class neighborhood, $5 million feels excellent. However, the temptation is to move into the highest class neighborhood one can afford. Once you make this choice, you can easily be sucked into the game of never-ending wealth accumulation. The trouble is the higher you go, the less your chances are of making it to the top. You might get unlucky or run across someone better than you at everything. How will that make you feel? Will you be bitter? How much will you unknowingly sacrifice to climb higher and higher? If you give it thought and reflect, you might choose a different path. Maybe stay in that middle-class neighborhood, don't buy that Ferrari, don't surround yourself with billionaires, and spend your money on experiences, those you care about, and things that give you more freedom. It wasn't that long ago that displays of wealth via "McMansions" was the norm. Now younger generations are beginning to embrace "stealth wealth." This says a lot about what is a synthesis of classic and capitalistic virtues. An understanding of psychology and solidarity will emerge from the post-fact era in ways we can only begin to imagine. Cultural acceptance of choosing less for your mental and physical health may be the most promising theory if one cares about equity. It helps you and helps others. The choice is yours. #### Related Items [[Economics]] [[Psychology]] [[Solidarity]] [[Capitalism]] [[Wealth]] [[Inequality]] [[Choice]] [[Culture]]