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What Can We Learn from Billionaires & Icons?

dev.to staff on November 17, 2023

From the lives and experiences of billionaires and icons, what valuable lessons, habits, or principles can be applied to our personal and professio...
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Ben Sinclair

I don't think we can learn much that is positive but we can certainly see them as a warning.

So the best thing we can learn from billionaires is the red flags they have in common, so we can watch out for new ones on the rise.

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tq-bit

Some positives and some negatives come to mind. Not directed towards the human, but more towards the status of being rich

Disclaimer: Opinion incoming

(+) Hard work alone won't get you anywhere. If you want growth, you'll need to invest. That goes for assets and knowledge.
(+) Whether you like it or not: Money equals power. It's perhaps the most important part of our society if you want to make a positive impact.
(+) Red tape cannot be cut with words, only your own actions.

(-) While important, money corrupts. If not yourself, then those around you. Almost everyone has a price and their loyalty can be bought.
(-) Traditional capitalism is incompatible with environmentalism. Maximum growth equals maximum resource usage.
(-) Being wealthy and its obligations make you blind to everything outside your bubble. People that depend on you will lie shamelessly to keep the status quo.

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lionel-rowe

How to exploit the working class

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Luis Ovidio

We can learn that the class struggle is real, to start...

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Scott Reno

I think we can learn what NOT to do. Don't treat your employees like dirt and threaten them (talking to you Elon). Don't prioritize profits over people.

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Mehmood-Ul-Haq

we can learn the formula they used to become successful.

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Luis Ovidio

That's easy:

  • Inheritance
  • Political influent parents
  • Workers exploitation