this post was submitted on 03 Apr 2024
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Interesting Global News

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Combined assets of $14.2tn are more than the GDP of every country except China and the US

Archived version: https://archive.ph/o2gaB

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[–] CraigeryTheKid@lemm.ee 8 points 7 months ago (5 children)

I promise I'm not a swifter or whatever they're called, but "at least" Taylor has to "work" for it, if a major part of it comes from selling and performing songs? right?

Like I agree "billionaires shouldnt exist" - but she's not high on my list of cruel offenders.

[–] Sterile_Technique@lemmy.world 35 points 7 months ago (1 children)

There's no ethical way to become or stay a billionaire. Swift is among the best of the worst, and typically uses her spotlight to spread a positive message, but that doesn't undue the unfathomably selfish lifestyle she lives.

So, while significantly less evil than other billionaires, she's still a billionaire, and thus evil.

[–] General_Effort@lemmy.world 5 points 7 months ago (1 children)

significantly less evil than other billionaires

How so? Genuine question.

[–] Sterile_Technique@lemmy.world 7 points 7 months ago (1 children)

It's the messaging. She has a ridiculous amount of fame, and uses that spotlight to encourage others to do good - and her fans do listen.

Most billionaires live that unfathomably selfish lifestyle while overtly giving society the finger.

Don't get me wrong - that whole spectrum is a subset of evil, but even it has its degrees of better vs worse.

[–] General_Effort@lemmy.world 3 points 7 months ago (2 children)

She just says nice things? That's it? I'm completely ignorant on celebrities or pop music. I find that WP has a page on the "Political impact of Taylor Swift"

It sounds she is no different from a corporation putting a rainbow flag to their logo for pride month. I mean, it's something. One shouldn't be too cynical. But it's also kinda normal.

[–] RGB3x3@lemmy.world 5 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (1 children)

She's donated quite a lot:

https://www.billboard.com/lists/taylor-swifts-charity-donations-gifts-timeline/100k-donation-chiefs-parade-shooting-victim/

Now to be completely honest, with all her insane wealth, the amount she gives is proportionally very very little. But at least she does something, I guess?

Not that I'm defending the multi-billionaire.

[–] LeroyJenkins@lemmy.world 1 points 7 months ago

saying "not that I'm defending a billionaire" while defending a billion doesn't make you not defend them. she didn't just donate very very little. she donates almost nothing of her wealth every time regardless of whether it's a single person or the whole cause. she donates enough to make the news and no more.

[–] iheartneopets@lemm.ee 2 points 7 months ago

Yup, that's pretty much it, that's how low the bar is for other billionaires. That's all it takes to make her "the best of a very bad bunch"

[–] RootBeerGuy@discuss.tchncs.de 11 points 7 months ago

Surely that is not ALL she does to get that amount of money. I'd assume she has it invested like any other rich person, stock market, real estate, tax evasion, all the trimmings. Just because she maybe does "less" of it, does not make her a good person.

[–] LeroyJenkins@lemmy.world 5 points 7 months ago (1 children)

you think she became a billionaire with just her music? her entire person is a corporation these days. there are many stakeholders that are not Taylor Swift with money in this game. every billionaire worked for it. the asshole part isn't that they didn't work for their money; it's the fact they hoard this wealth without legitimate, worthwhile return to general society aside from they taxes they actively avoid paying.

[–] Cowbee@lemmy.ml 8 points 7 months ago

Billionaires do not labor for the oceanic majority of their money.

[–] RGB3x3@lemmy.world 2 points 7 months ago (4 children)

Her shows are actually an insane amount of work, and it's obvious when you watch them. My wife is a huge fan, myself not so much, but I can at least admit that her talent is undeniable.

She does 3-hour shows Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, then does it again the next week, and she's been doing that for over a year. It's honestly nuts.

And even between all those shows, she's releasing a new album. If anyone actually works for her wealth, it's Swift.

[–] Asafum@feddit.nl 7 points 7 months ago

Hard disagree. She's worth something but it ain't billions.

No one should be worth billions. :(

[–] brlemworld@lemmy.world 5 points 7 months ago

Where's my billion dollars for working a normal amount of hours?

[–] offthecrossbar@lemm.ee 2 points 7 months ago

Yeah, no one should be a billionaire but she is putting in some work. I could not do what she does and I respect her for it, even if I categorically disagree with the concept of someone accumulating that much proportional wealth.

[–] tocopherol@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 7 months ago

I guarantee you the average carpet installer works harder and is more deserving of billions. I'm not saying she doesn't have talent or doesn't work hard but the money that goes to her and other billionaires could actually help society but instead becomes a useless horde or pays for yachts and jewelry.

[–] General_Effort@lemmy.world 1 points 7 months ago

And so it goes. People hate the big picture but every detail is fine. The mosaic won't change while you keep every stone in place.